Lead Behavioural Scientist

+ Strategy: Set 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, 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., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.
When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), and upload a copy of your CV anonymising all details where necessary.
You will then be asked to answer 3 technical questions evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within these answers how you meet each of the essential and desirable skills and capabilities.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expect all candidates to abide by these principles. Ofgem take any incidences of cheating very seriously. Please ensure all examples provided are of your own experience. Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant applications will be withdrawn from the process.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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+ 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 criteria)
+ Significant experience of leading behavioural science/economics teams, including effective team and people leadership and setting and delivering a vision and strategy to achieve organisational objectives. (Lead criteria)
+ 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.
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., + Seeing the Big Picture
+ Leadership
+ Working Together

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Please refer to the Candidate Pack and Role Profile attached for full details.

At Ofgem, we stand at the forefront of tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time: combating the global energy crisis, accelerating the transition to Net Zero, and safeguarding energy consumers. We’re looking for a Lead Behavioural Scientist to lead transformative behavioural science initiatives that will shape the energy landscape for generations to come.
Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the energy sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting energy consumers - especially vulnerable people.
We’re offering a permanent role where you can make a direct impact on critical issues such as reducing carbon emissions, encouraging sustainable energy use, and protecting vulnerable consumers. This is a high-profile role where you will oversee complex behavioural research, collaborate with leading academics, and influence policymaking at the highest levels. You’ll drive our behavioural science strategy, ensuring it underpins key decisions and fosters innovative solutions across our organisation.
We’re looking for a collaborative, strategic thinker with extensive experience in behavioural science, behavioural economics, or a related field. You’ll be an experienced leader with the ability to inspire and guide multidisciplinary teams. Your expertise will be instrumental in developing cutting-edge interventions, influencing policy, and driving impactful research that addresses consumer challenges while advancing our Net Zero goals.
This role offers the opportunity to work on multiple impactful projects, delivering high-quality research with the potential to influence industry and government practices. As the behavioural science lead, you’ll engage with senior internal and external stakeholders, providing strategic oversight and technical expertise to enhance our evidence-based decision-making.
At Ofgem, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive, inclusive, and flexible working environment. You’ll take the lead in a team that values innovation, diversity, and professional development, with opportunities to collaborate with top-tier academics and industry experts. With access to flexible working arrangements and central locations in London, Glasgow, or Cardiff, this is a chance to grow your career while making a real difference.
We have a critical purpose to advance the understanding of human behaviour to deliver innovative energy solutions and empower consumers on the journey to Net Zero. This is your opportunity to lead research that will shape the future of the energy sector and improve the lives of millions across Great Britain.
Read on and find out more.

Alongside your salary of £61,446, OFGEM contributes £17,800 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; Hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but is in review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.