Location

London : City of Westminster, London, SW1P 4DR

About the job Job description

Want to use your knowledge of behavioural science theory and understanding of how people behave to help make the transport system better for everyone? 

Are you interested in applying behavioural insights to help tackle transport challenges such as sustainability, air quality, security and road safety? 

If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes', don’t miss out on this new opportunity for a behavioural scientist at the Department for Transport (DfT)! 

This post is a unique opportunity where the successful candidate will be able to apply their cutting edge behavioural insights expertise to major challenges and opportunities within the transport industry. With the advent of new technology including driverless cars & electric vehicles, this really is a revolutionary time in the industry which is presenting major opportunities for advances. 

Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Identifying opportunities to apply behavioural insights to help deliver DfT’s priorities. 
• Designing and specifying behavioural science research or trials to inform policy priorities. 
• Providing expert advice to policy colleagues on behavioural science/behavioural insight techniques and tools. 
• Helping build departmental capability by promoting best practice in behavioural science and behavioural insight techniques, developing and delivering training and resources that build skills amongst specialist and non-specialist staff and managing the department’s behavioural insights champions network. 
• Keeping updated on developments in academic behavioural theory and seeking out opportunities to apply it. 
• Providing quality assurance and analytical scrutiny for behavioural science and behavioural insight projects. 

About you 

Are you experienced and passionate about Behavioural Science and its application? If so we would love to hear from you. 

We’re looking for a Behavioural Science professional who has experience of working with policy, delivery and/or communications colleagues and wishes to apply this experience to shaping the future of transport policy. The successful candidate will be confident applying their expertise to set their own direction and influence decisions. They will thrive managing a dynamic and challenging workload and will welcome autonomy in their role. 

The successful candidate will have exceptional interpersonal skills and be able to communicate complex information to others in a simple way, with the ability to provide guidance and information to inform decisions at all levels of the business. 

They will be able to proactively manage their workload whilst retaining focus on the key priorities of the department. They will be highly diligent with a strong focus on attention to detail, to ensure their work informs senior leadership and Ministers in achieving departmental ambitions. 

About us 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future. 

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport. 

DfT has been recognised for its leadership on workplace gender equality by being included in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women 2017. 

DfT’s inclusion is recognition of our commitment to make the Department a great place to work through our culture of equality and inclusivity and the great strides we’ve made to raise the number of women in senior positions.

Qualifications

As this post is an SEO grade, we would expect a strong academic background in subjects relevant to behavioural science and behavioural insights. This would be demonstrated through strong academic qualifications in relevant subjects (e.g. PhD / Post Doc) or an undergraduate / Masters degree in a relevant subject plus at least 4 years demonstrable experience in a behavioural science role. There are a range of subjects relevant to this role, including (but not limited to): 

- Social / market research 
- Psychology / cognitive science 
- Sociology / anthropology 
- Communications / marketing 
- Public policy 
- Behavioural economics

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Changing and Improving

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Please tailor your CV/Personal Statement to provide evidence of when you have to demonstrated relevant experience or knowledge of applying behavioural thinking to policy problems across different settings. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment is likely to include: 
- An interview. 
- A short, 5 minute presentation (the brief would be sent in advance). 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. For further information on Success Profiles please click here 

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about: 
• previous examples where you have demonstrated the necessary behaviours in the role profile 
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role 
• your previous experience 
• your professional skills and knowledge 

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants

John Baverstock 
Email: [email protected] 

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift is due to take place w/c 23rd September 2019. 

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held w/c 14th October 2019. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a security check may be carried out.

Further information

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. 

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies. 

Reasonable adjustment 
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 
● Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs 

● Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact 

Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: 
Click here to visit Civil Service Commission 

Any move to the Department for Transport (DfT) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.