Job role: Behavioural Insight Lead
Grade: G7
Directorate: Strategy, Analysis and Change
About us
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice. We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.
About the Team
This is an exciting opportunity to join HMCTS’s Behavioural Insight Team in the Strategy and User Insight Division (SUI). The division ensures that our understanding of user characteristics, behaviours and needs are analysed and shared in inspiring ways to inform decision-making throughout HMCTS.
This an exciting opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary division, setting the direction for the use of behavioural insight across digital services, customer services, and operational delivery teams. You will be working in a fast-paced operational environment where things can change quickly, but where there is a real opportunity to help shape frontline services.
About the role
We are looking for someone who is experienced and passionate about applying behavioural science in real world settings, delivering high-impact research that makes a difference.
You will be working on a wide variety of projects in a cross-jurisdictional space (e.g., across Civil, Family, Tribunal and Crime jurisdictions) leading the development, design, and application of insight.
Your role encompasses several key aspects (but not limited to):
Strategically lead the team in building HMCTS’s knowledge of, use of, and capacity to apply behavioural insight:
Work across the department to build relationships with existing and potential stakeholders, identify opportunities for behavioural insight to drive meaningful impact, raise the profile of the team and generate demand for new projects
Lead projects and the team to apply behavioural insights to tackle policy and delivery challenges, working closely with relevant teams across the department to:
Define and solve ambiguous problems, identifying opportunities for applying fit-for-purpose behavioural initiatives, as well as for research and insight to inform creative solutions to issues
Design and implement behavioural field evaluations, using best-fit research methods including randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs and qualitative research
Establish economic insight as a function of the team, developing a workstream for identifying projects/areas (e.g., evaluation) that would benefit from economic research/analysis or advice, then delivering as required (e.g., VfM/cost-benefit analyses, business case economic appraisal)
Work closely with the organisation’s social and user researchers and designers to conduct research that informs behavioural initiatives, including user testing, interviews, focus groups, and surveys
Work closely with researchers/analysts to evaluate behavioural interventions, including data cleaning, analysis, and reporting
Lead on providing high-quality behavioural advice to teams across the Department
Line management of one senior behavioural insight researcher, providing support, development and direction while also contributing to the wider leadership of the division.
The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.
What are we looking for? (Person Specification)
The ideal candidate for this position should demonstrate:
Essential
Expert knowledge of behavioural insight and experimental methods (e.g., randomised controlled trials) and how to apply them to public policy/operations
Significant experience of applying behavioural frameworks (such as ISM, COM-B, and EAST) to diagnose and address behavioural problems, and of developing and applying theories of behaviour change/behavioural insight to inform policy/operational decision-making
Demonstrated leadership capability: including proven ability to set a strategic direction, build strong relationships to understand and meet stakeholder needs as well as identify opportunities to apply insight and influence stakeholders to employ recommended approaches
Experience developing and conducting robust research and evaluation to determine the impact of behavioural interventions, including using large quantitative data/ management information sources to identify suitable measures/undertake analysis
Strong project management skills with experience of scoping, managing and overseeing projects proactively and developing/adapting them in response to evolving business needs
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly presenting complex or technical information clearly to non-technical audiences
A management approach that coaches and mentors team colleagues to ensure individuals continuously learn and develop
Experience promoting and championing the strategic application of behavioural science, including raising awareness, generating interest, and building demand for behavioural insight projects.
Knowledge of (Green Book) economic concepts and analysis (e.g. Cost-Benefit/VfM analysis)
Desirable:
Experience of applying (Green Book) economic concepts and carrying out Cost-Benefit/VfM analysis
An understanding of public policy and services particularly in the justice sector
Experience of working closely with designers and developers to turn behavioural insight into actionable product/service requirements that feed into prototype development, and influence product direction
A Masters or PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g., economics, behavioural economics, psychology, decision science, sociology, anthropology or other behavioural or social science disciplines)
How to apply
To apply for this role, please submit a CV and a statement of suitability of no more than 750 words setting out evidence and examples of how you meet the person specification of the role. Please ensure you cover both ‘what’ you do but also ‘how’ you do it. (i.e., the effective skills, knowledge & experience needed to undertake the role).
Interview
If successful at sift you will be invited to a Civil Service Success Profiles interview which will include assessment of the following behaviours (Grade 7).
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Interviews will also include a presentation based on your technical skills. Presentation details will be provided in advance to candidates that are invited to interview.
Further details
This is a full-time role where flexible working requests will be reviewed and agreed on a case-by-case basis, in line with business needs.
Occasional travel to London may be required, in line with business needs.
About our benefits
We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family
friendly and flexible working polices that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme, childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans.
Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.