Behavioural Science Specialist
Job Title: Behavioural Science Specialist
Starting Salary: £53,806 progressing to £59,497 per annumper annum (pay award pending)
Hours: 37 per week
Location: Stevenage with hybrid working opportunities. Minimum 1 day office attendance per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term for 6 months with potential options to extend
Directorate: Public Health
About the team
As a Behavioural Science Specialist, you will contribute to a range of pieces of work across the Public Health department within Hertfordshire County Council’s (HCC) Community Protection directorate. Our purpose is to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Hertfordshire residents and reduce health inequalities through a broad range of services, initiatives and work programmes, while ensuring optimum value for money.
Working closely with one other Behavioural Science Specialist and other Public Health colleagues and system partners with a wide variety of roles, you will apply behavioural science to support the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of a range of initiatives in order to optimise service design, programme delivery and key outcomes.
The role reports into the Deputy Director of Public Health and Director of Evidence & Intelligence.
About the role
This is a fixed-term post to provide maternity cover for a minimum of 6 months.
You will:
- Lead on the design, development and implementation of specific behavioural science projects.
- Critically appraise complex behavioural science evidence (qualitative and quantitative) to identify specific drivers for behaviour change interventions.
- Consult with and provide specialist behavioural science guidance to Public Health colleagues, service providers and commissioners to develop workstreams using specialised skillsets.
- Ensure the involvement of stakeholders and the public to co-develop and implement behaviour change programmes.
- Take a project management approach to the planning and delivery of programmes of work.
- Identify, develop and support the use of appropriate tools and resources by colleagues for the application of effective behaviour change approaches.
- Negotiate at a strategic and operational level within on the development and delivery and activities related to behavioural science projects.
- Contribute to media articles, press releases, academic publications and interviews with the local media, as required.
- Translate and communicate highly complex behaviour change information to the public and professionals in a variety of different formats and channels (e.g. presentations, reports and social media).
- Prepare and deliver reports and presentations for key stakeholders on the implementation and learning from specialist behaviour change interventions (e.g. Elected Members, HCC directorates, district and borough councils, partner organisations).
About you
The right candidate for this role will have:
- A Master’s degree in Health Psychology or other behavioural science related discipline or equivalent behavioural science experience OR Postgraduate doctoral degree in a behavioural science related subject, or Stage 2 Health Psychology Training resulting in HCPC registration, or demonstrable equivalent learning and experience in applying behavioural science.
- Specialist knowledge of theoretical concepts and approaches in behavioural science.
- Knowledge of research and evaluation methods for understanding effectiveness of behaviour change interventions.
- Knowledge of the current evidence base including the use of multiple sources of evidence (including qualitative and quantitative sources of evidence) to inform behaviour change interventions.
- Knowledge and experience of using a variety of behavioural science tools and approaches (e.g. Behaviour Change Wheel or Behavioural Insights).
- Significant experience of working using behavioural science approaches and conducting behavioural analysis.
- Experience of working in a behaviour change capacity for, or within, a local authority setting.
- Experience of implementing and evaluating behaviour change interventions for individuals, communities and populations.
- Experience of working with stakeholders to develop and deliver behavioural science interventions.
- Highly developed communication skills.
- Excellent presentation, training and facilitation skills.
- The ability to critically appraise publish research, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
- The ability to collaborate with a range of partners to analyse facts, undertake behavioural analysis and develop recommendations.
- Digital competence with the ability to use a range of software for data collection, analysis and communication.
- Experience of developing digital interventions.
- The ability to effectively plan, prioritise and manage your own workload.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is Level 13. Please locate the job profile here:
Job profiles - Corporate services
To hear more about this opportunity please contact David.Conrad@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.
Interview Date: 3rd of 4th of August 2026
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Secondment
This role is open to secondments for eligible employees who work for HCC. If you wish to apply on a secondment basis, you must have your line manager’s approval before submitting your application. You will be asked to confirm this within your application form. If you are not eligible for a secondment (e.g., you are currently on a fixed‑term contract that would end before this positions ends) or you indicate that your manager cannot support a secondment, your application will be considered on a fixed‑term contract basis instead.
Additional information
We are changing
Hertfordshire County Councilis undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.
LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Salary range
- £53,806 - £59,497 per year