Lead Behavioural Scientist

Key Responsibilities and Outputs

• Strategy: Deliver Ofgem’s behavioural science strategy as our internal Behavioural Science expert, providing technical oversight and advanced analysis on behavioural science related matters including experimental/evaluation methods, behavioural economics and behaviour change to teams across Ofgem, Ofgem Boards, and other key stakeholders.
• Delivery: Lead and oversee delivery of complex high-quality behavioural research/projects to provide evidence that helps Ofgem to deliver on its strategic priorities, ensuring effective project management and quality assurance.
• Leadership: Support the development of a high-performing team based on effective resource management, ongoing support and professional development. Manage a small team of multidisciplinary experts, providing inclusive leadership and building a positive team culture, using your expertise to provide comprehensive knowledge sharing, support and development that demonstrate commitment to Ofgem values and promote diversity and inclusion.
• Innovation: Be the focal point for technical advice relating to behavioural science. Keep abreast of advances in the field, provide guidance on methodological challenges and encourage and support staff to consider new and innovative methods.
• Stakeholder engagement/influencing: Build strong, effective relationships, collaborating with senior leaders across Ofgem to use behavioural science and/or economics to answer complex questions. Build Behavioural Science capability in Ofgem, driving awareness, fostering buy-in at all levels and equipping teams with the necessary tools to integrate and embed behavioural approaches in their work. Build relationships with external stakeholders to maximise partnership and collaboration opportunities e.g. ensure Ofgem benefits from behavioural science research conducted by academia.
• Communication/impact: Increase Ofgem’s impact as a regulatory leader in Behavioural Science by representing Ofgem at external events, conferences etc to showcase the work of behavioural science and wider analytical work in Ofgem. Draft clear and concise documents, including briefing, reports, and management papers.

Essential criteria:

• Breadth and depth of relevant applied experience in behavioural analysis, behavioural economics and research methods (e.g. experimental, quasi-experimental, user experience, design, quant, qual, data science) within a complex organisation. (LEAD)
• Significant experience of leading behavioural science/economics teams, including effective team and people leadership and delivering a vision and strategy to achieve organisational objectives. (LEAD)
• Ability to distil complex subject matter into relevant messages for different audiences – both orally and in writing, combined with excellent drafting skills.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the key issues, trends, frameworks, approaches and latest techniques in Behavioural Science and ability to apply a behavioural science lens to help solve complex policy problems and communicate the value of a behavioural approach effectively to senior stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse colleagues, planning, overseeing and supporting teams to deliver high quality analytical work.

Desirable criteria:

• Advanced statistical analysis skills (e.g. using Python, R, Stata etc), proficiency in programming experiments and an ability to develop/coach others to develop skills.