Public Health Wales

Senior Behavioural Science Specialist

The closing date is 18 June 2025

Job summary

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 2 YEARS DUE TO THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.

Are you confident you could make a difference?

Applying behavioural science to improve individual and societal wellbeing is in sharp focus at the moment, and we are building our capacity in this arena - if you're ready to use your skills for social and public good, please read on.

Through an exciting partnership with Transport for Wales (TfW) we're recruiting a Senior Behavioural Science Specialist to enable, encourage and expand the use of behavioural science, to support implementation of Llwybr Newydd: the Wales transport strategy. You will also get to work on other important public health priorities within the team.

In return, we offer great benefits including hybrid and flexible working, a fantastic NHS pension, excellent annual leave, cycle to work and car lease schemes, childcare voucher schemes, plus many more.

Public Health Wales works to achieve a healthier future for the people in Wales. If you are enthusiastic and motivated and want to make a difference to the people in Wales, then this is an exciting opportunity for you to join our highly talented, cross-functional, dynamic and friendly team.

Main duties of the job

The role will contribute highly specialist expertise to the development, implementation and evaluation of a range of activities, and the development of capability - so we need experienced and motivated specialists in applying behavioural science for public good.

The post will be part of our dynamic and dedicated team in the Behavioural Science Unit - with a majority focus on changing transport behaviours, through shaping initiatives and developing services based on behavioural science principles; reviewing existing activity and investment using behaviour change approaches to maximise impact; and growing TfW's capability to support this shift, building on existing training, information provision and cultural integration of behaviour change across the organisation. Our agile programme and project approach provides a variety of work, strong team links, and great opportunities.

Applicants must have the ability to respond innovatively in a dynamic and expanding field of work and will need excellent demonstrable interpersonal and communication skills.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales'. We play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.

Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. We are an organisation that places ourselves at the heart of supporting people, communities, partners, and the Welsh Government in addressing these major challenges and providing solutions for action.

Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Details

Date posted

02 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,840 to £53,602 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

028-AC130-0625

Job locations

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the vacancy please see the job description and personal specification attached.

Interview dates will be week commencing 30th June.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information about the vacancy please see the job description and personal specification attached.

Interview dates will be week commencing 30th June.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree in a behavioural science subject or demonstrable equivalent learning
  • Postgraduate degree in behavioural science or demonstrable equivalent learning
  • Evidence of continuing professional/personal development

Experience

Essential

  • Application of evidence or theory to the formulation of behaviour-change interventions in different populations
  • Developing, delivering and evaluating training
  • Experience of using multiple -sources of evidence (qualitative and quantitative) to develop behavioural insight to inform behaviour change interventions

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of routinely available data sources for behavioural change
  • Knowledge of the current evidence-base for effective behavioural science-informed health behaviour change interventions

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Highly developed communication skills
  • Ability to synthesise, translate and communicate highly complex information to a range of audiences
  • Ability to analyse and interpret complex facts and situations and develop a range of options and recommendations
  • Digitally competent with the ability to use a range of software for data collection, analysis, communication, and networking purposes

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Self motivated, self starter
  • Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change demonstrating resilience
  • Ability and willingness to travel to undertake the duties of the post at various locations
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree in a behavioural science subject or demonstrable equivalent learning
  • Postgraduate degree in behavioural science or demonstrable equivalent learning
  • Evidence of continuing professional/personal development

Experience

Essential

  • Application of evidence or theory to the formulation of behaviour-change interventions in different populations
  • Developing, delivering and evaluating training
  • Experience of using multiple -sources of evidence (qualitative and quantitative) to develop behavioural insight to inform behaviour change interventions

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

  • Knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of routinely available data sources for behavioural change
  • Knowledge of the current evidence-base for effective behavioural science-informed health behaviour change interventions

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Highly developed communication skills
  • Ability to synthesise, translate and communicate highly complex information to a range of audiences
  • Ability to analyse and interpret complex facts and situations and develop a range of options and recommendations
  • Digitally competent with the ability to use a range of software for data collection, analysis, communication, and networking purposes

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Self motivated, self starter
  • Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change demonstrating resilience
  • Ability and willingness to travel to undertake the duties of the post at various locations

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Behavioural Science

Jonathan West

Jonathan.West@wales.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

02 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,840 to £53,602 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

028-AC130-0625

Job locations

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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