World Bank - Behavioural Scientist

As part of a broader World Bank Group effort to incorporate recent advances in the social and behavioral sciences into its projects and programs, and following upon the well-received World Development Report 2015: Mind, Society, and Behavior, the World Bank is recruiting an exceptional behavioral scientist to work in its new Behavioral Innovations Lab (BIL). 

The goal of the Behavioral Innovations Lab is to use behavioral economics, social psychology, and related fields to make development interventions more effective. The BIL will help World Bank project teams, country programs, and partner governments incorporate behavioral and social insights into project design, project reviews, and policy advice; and conduct impact evaluations of interventions inspired by the social and behavioral sciences. 

This is an exciting, new initiative with high-level support within the World Bank. It draws and builds upon related efforts around the world to marshal “behavioral insights” on behalf of public policy. Areas where the BIL may work include: using social motivations to reduce energy consumption and increase tax payments; activating social norms to improve child nutrition and reduce open defecation; lifting the aspirations of job-seekers in the formal and informal sectors; promoting road safety; and deploying nudges and reminders to help poor individuals save more, start businesses, and make healthier choices. 

 Requirements 

• PhD in Social Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Management Sciences, or a related field. 
• At least one year of research experience in developing countries. 
• Demonstrated experience and expertise designing, managing, and analyzing randomized evaluations, field experiments in developing countries, and laboratory experiments. 
• Strong entrepreneurial drive and strong interest in the use of evidence and impact evaluation in policymaking. 
• Well-developed teamwork and collaborative abilities, and strong communication skills 
• Willingness to travel frequently and remotely. 

The World Bank Group offers a competitive compensation package. It is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, CV, and three references to Premi Rajan Raj: prathanraj@worldbank.org 

World Bank - Behavioural Economist

As part of a broader World Bank Group effort to incorporate recent advances in the social and behavioral sciences into its projects and programs, and following upon the well-received World Development Report 2015: Mind, Society, and Behavior, the World Bank is recruiting an exceptional behavioral economist to work in its new Behavioral Innovations Lab (BIL).

The goal of the Behavioral Innovations Lab is to use behavioral economics, social psychology, and related fields to make development interventions more effective. The BIL will help World Bank project teams, country programs, and partner governments incorporate behavioral and social insights into project design, project reviews, and policy advice; and conduct impact evaluations of interventions inspired by the social and behavioral sciences.

This is an exciting, new initiative with high-level support within the World Bank. It draws and builds upon related efforts around the world to marshal “behavioral insights” on behalf of public policy. Areas where the BIL may work include: using social motivations to reduce energy consumption and increase tax payments; activating social norms to improve child nutrition and reduce open defecation; lifting the aspirations of job-seekers in the formal and informal sectors; promoting road safety; and deploying nudges and reminders to help poor individuals save more, start businesses, and make healthier choices.

Requirements

• PhD in Economics with a focus on behavioral economics and development economics.
• At least one year of research experience in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise designing, managing, and analyzing randomized evaluations, field experiments in developing countries, and laboratory experiments.
• Strong entrepreneurial drive and strong interest in the use of evidence and impact evaluation in policymaking.
• Well-developed teamwork and collaborative abilities, and strong communication skills
• Willingness to travel frequently and remotely.

The World Bank Group offers a competitive compensation package. It is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, CV, and three references to Premi Rajan Raj: prathanraj@worldbank.org

The Behavioural Insights Team - Senior Project Manager, Research Cluster

The Behavioural Insights Team

Permanent: 39 hours per week

Salary range: £40,000 - £60,000, plus benefits.

Overview of the Role and the Behavioural Insights Team

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) is looking for an exceptional candidate to become the Project Manager for our Research Cluster. In this role you will work directly with the Head of Research and be responsible for oversight of a large programme of research and evaluation projects. The Behavioural Insights Team was set up in the Cabinet Office in 2010 to apply behavioural science to public policy in the UK. In February 2014 we became a social-purpose company, partly owned by our employees, and have expanded considerably to meet the demand for our work both in the UK and overseas (with clients from Australia; Singapore; the USA; United Nations Development Programme; and the World Bank).

Roles and Responsibilities

As Senior Project Manager you will work closely with the Head of Research, Business Manager and Senior Advisors to ensure that the Research Clusters work is conducted efficiently and effectively. You will therefore be responsible for:

• managing multiple projects simultaneously. You will be the key go-to person for resourcing, stakeholder management and time/project management;
• Improving internal research procedures and ensuring the team as a whole comply (i.e. ethics board approval, trial protocols, data security/protection etc.);
• Acting as secretariat to the Academic Advisory panel and managing relationships with key associates providing expert research input into our programmes;
• Leading on bidding / proposals for evaluation of social programmes, including providing input into a range of work across the team; and  Managing and meeting demand for their time from both internal and external partners. In this role you will have a wide range of contacts and influence across the business and will play a key role ensuring that our entire programme of work is sufficiently resourced and supported.

You will also have the opportunity to develop a range of influencing and negotiation skills and gain insight and experience in a number of different qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Essential

The Behavioural Insights Team brings people together with different skills sets. You must be able to demonstrate a balance of skills across those listed below, but we do not expect you to be exceptional in all areas.

• Experience managing both people and projects, working across hierarchies and balancing competing priorities;
• Experience responding to competitive tenders/preparing bids/proposals and securing new work;
• Credible understanding of behavioural science, economics, psychology or public policy;
• Familiarity with research methods, Randomised Controlled Trials, evaluation methodologies and quasi-experimental methods;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (and will be able to translate academic work to non-academic audiences); and
• Creative thinking and pragmatism, challenging existing assumptions and thinking of solutions to implementation problems. Desirable Finally, it would be desirable if you have:  Project management qualification (such as Prince2);
• Educated to degree level in economics, psychology or other related discipline.

How to apply: To apply candidates should submit a CV and cover letter of no more than 2 sides outlining their suitability for the role. Your cover letter should show how you clearly meet the essential criteria. This should be sent to bit.jobs@behaviouralinsights.co.uk by no later than 9am on Monday 11th May 2015.

For a discussion about the role please contact michael.sanders@behaviouralinsights.co.uk

Please note that due to the volume of applications received we are unable to provide feedback. Please ensure that you meet the requirements for the role before applying. Important note: In order to apply for this role you must have an existing right to work in the UK (a resident of EU or EEA). We cannot provide visa sponsorship for this role at this time

Which? - Principal Behavioural Insight Analyst

Job description - What you will be doing

As our Principal Behavioural Insight Researcher, you will play a critical role in designing and undertaking high quality research on a range of consumer policy areas.  You will be expected to lead projects from development to publication which have the capacity to generate original evidence and new policy asks, editorial content and/or new Which? products/services or interventions.

In your role as a consumer behaviour expert you will work across all our policy areas spanning consumer markets and public services – from energy, to financial services, to health and social care – working closely with policy, campaigns and economic analysis colleagues to design and deliver research that ultimately achieves positive change for UK consumers. Due to the seniority of your role, you will actively support the Head of Behavioural Insight, contributing to the overall strategy and direction of the Behavioural Insight Team.

Beyond Which, you’ll be building on your own as well as the team’s external profile, strengthening and expanding our partnership with Warwick University and proactively managing stakeholder relationships to ensure our work has the greatest possible impact. 

Desired Skills and Experience - What you’ll need

To succeed in this role, you will need to have had an excellent academic track record with a good undergraduate degree in any area (however a degree or Masters in a related area would be very desirable).

Due to the applied nature of our research, you will need to have a deep understanding of the behavioural science literature and how it can be applied to help solve complex policy problems and generate new initiatives to benefit consumers. We need someone that is able to challenge the status-quo and find creative solutions to solve problems – be that through policy, regulation or even new products and interventions.

You will have proven project management skills and be more than able to work under pressure and manage your workload to meet short deadlines. You will need to have strong written and verbal skills and be comfortable interacting with internal and external stakeholders, including academics, policy makers and regulators and corporate contacts.  

In return, you'll get brilliant training, the support of a close-knit team, and the chance to see your decisions make real differences to UK consumers. You'll also get all sorts of benefits - from eye tests to childcare vouchers, to free legal advice.

Please apply with your CV by Sunday 17 May. 

Public Health England - Behavioural Insights Research Analyst

Employer:Public Health EnglandDepartment:Science & Strategic InformationLocation:Skipton House, LondonSalary:£49,165 - £61,976 per annum - Grade 7
This post is a fixed term until 31st March 2016

As a Behavioural Insights Research Analyst you will be responsible for delivering 3 key projects testing the application of behavioural insights to reduce smoking in pregnancy and promote healthy eating and reduce obesity through partnership working with supermarkets. In addition to leading your own projects you will work collaboratively with The Behavioural Insights Team who are contracted to deliver a range of projects for PHE including healthy online supermarket shopping. The role also involves training local authority public health staff in the application of behavioural insights and providing an advisory role to the public health system.

Essential skills and interests

Applications are welcomed from individuals who have experience of managing collaborative experimental research (ideally randomised controlled trials and familiarity with other evaluation methods). A good understanding of the behavioural science literature and how it can be applied demonstrated through prior work experience in this area is required. We are looking for an individual with a passion for behavioural insights who can demonstrate this through commitment to delivering high quality, timely and impactful projects. You will likely have the opportunity to be involved in writing academic articles therefore excellent written communication skills are required.

The role reports to the Behavioural Insights Lead Researcher and will be required to deputise in own area of expertise as required or where relevant.

For further information / an informal discussion about the post, please contact Anna Sallis C Psychol, Behavioural Insights Research Advisor, on 07713 997 490

Stage 4 vacancy

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service(including by definition internal applicants)

Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the person specification (available online) as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria. Please also see job description for competencies

Public Health England promotes diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunities employe.

Gates Foundation - Senior Program Officer, Behavior Change Communication

Foundation Overview    Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Group Summary    The Integrated Delivery team aims to advance the outcomes of the Global Health and Global Development Programs via efforts to improve overall and equitable coverage of impactful interventions - with an emphasis on supporting primary health care system performance. The team includes expertise spanning a range of delivery-related topics. These experts are deployed in response to requests from program strategy teams to support specific investments, activities, and strategies. Our expertise includes user/market research, new product launch, supply chain design, information communication technology, data & metrics, health economics, and operations research/program effectiveness.

Given our vantage point across programs, our technical experts look for holistic, integrated or cross-cutting solutions that overcome system impediments effectively and efficiently. We encourage staff and partners to put the user at the center of our program solutions, and design integrated and efficient program models that best meet human needs – breaking the silos. We proactively identify delivery challenges across program strategy teams and develop and manage strategies and investment portfolios to advance foundation outcomes. The Integrated Delivery team is accountable for contributions to program strategy outcomes, and also indicators related to primary care system performance, improved integration, and demonstrating performance in designing, introducing, and scaling high impact interventions.

Responsibilities    We are looking for a senior marketing and communications leader with the skills and experience to serve as the Senior Program Officer (SPO) for behavior change communication (BCC) and social norms change within the Integrated Delivery team. This position will have a specific focus on issues surrounding women and girls and will be responsible for defining and articulating a vision and approach to changing social norms, using multiple approaches and levers, including – but not limited to – BCC. This position will also improve the foundation's ability to implement programs that motivate healthier behaviors and lifestyles, and activate, expand, and/or generate demand by partnering with our program teams to apply best-in-class BCC principles and methods more consistently in their work. Candidates should have proven expertise in creating, developing, and implementing BCC campaigns with measurable behavior change outcomes in low-income settings, as well as familiarity with designing and implementing programs to change social norms. This SPO will also serve in a technical advisory role, working with diverse stakeholders within the foundation as well as externally with our grantees and government partners. S/he will ensure programs are designed to drive desired and measurable behavior change and change social norms so as to improve program outputs.

Key areas of work will include:

Portfolio Management and Execution
- Scope, shape, propose, and manage a portfolio of demand related activities and investments to support programmatic goals involving behavior change and changing social norms.
- Develop projects with clear, measurable outcomes and milestones that clarify expectations up-front and enable nimble course-correction.
- Analyze and synthesize lessons and results to improve the overall operating model for behavior and social norm change.

Strategic Planning and Evaluation
- Identify and gather quantitative/qualitative information to measure progress against strategic goals.
- Contribute to the evolution of the Integrated Delivery team, vision, strategic objectives, priorities, processes, organizational structure, etc.
- Provide input into strategic plans and participate in annual planning to drive demand and social norm change, BCC, uptake and delivery.
- Commit to performance development and provide mentorship.

Communications and Thought Leadership
- Prepare action-oriented communication materials to build awareness of demand, BCC, and social norm change within the foundation and support activities listed above.
- Communicate effectively with senior management through memos, meetings, and field visits to reinforce the value of BCC and social norm change.
- Represent the foundation's vision for demand, behavior and social norm change in development to key external constituencies, including participation in conferences and meetings.

Qualifications    - 10+ years of experience in designing, developing and implementing commercial marketing and/or BCC campaigns with measurable outcomes
- Experience working with women's groups or adolescent girls; familiarity with theories of women's empowerment is preferred
- 5+ years as a project leader in low income market settings preferred
- 2+ years in a low income country context, or the equivalent experience implementing BCC campaigns or changing social norms focused on disadvantaged groups in a cross-cultural setting in an upper or middle income country. Ideally will have conducted several projects in these markets/settings with users from the two lowest-income quartiles, strongly preferred
- Expertise in user research, concept testing, design of marketing and communications strategies, and execution of strategies with excellence, both as a practitioner and project lead. Expertise in 360 degree communications plans, including mass, mid, and interpersonal media, desired
- 5+ years of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive plans to drive social norms change
- Strong partnership network of marketing, advertising, communications, BCC, and social norms organizations and professionals
- Demonstrated experience in building capability and training among interested parties but with different objectives and incentives
- Familiarity working in the health field (pharma, medical devices, consumer health products) highly desired
- Strong technical assistance and interpersonal skills and ability to support internal and external partners to achieve their objectives
- Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people
- Ability to orchestrate effective decisions across a broad range of issues and stakeholders, assess progress, analyze gaps, and make necessary changes
- Innovative and open-minded approach; ability to question and challenge colleagues including managers and partners in a constructive manner
- Demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a complex, fast-paced environment
- Ability to think/act like an investor; creative and generative thinker
- Excellent visual, written and oral communication skills to convey complex situations in a clear and concise manner with a broad and diverse audience
- Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally
- Self-motivated and self-managing
- A sense of humor

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Swiss RE: Behavioural Research Analyst

The Life & Health Research & Development (LHRD) department has global responsibility for the production and application of research in support of life & health business within Swiss Re. The international multidisciplinary research team works on a broad range of topics such as longevity, disease control, medicines evaluation, big data and behavioural research. The post – holder will work predominately in the area of behavioural research, a growing area within the LHRD team.

The Opportunity

We currently have an exciting opportunity in Zurich for a proactive and motivated researcher to join our Life & Health Research & Development Team. Our team provides innovative research solution and opportunities to Swiss Re's Life and Health Division. Specifically, this involves the application of insights from behavioural science to insurance-relevant communications (including websites, letters, scripts, forms, text messages) as well as to processes in various insurance settings including sales, retention and claims. The post holder will contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of behavioural economic research studies within a commercial environment – particularly focused on projects in Continental Europe. Key activities will include: gaining an understanding of the Behavioural Economics research , working closely with clients (and Client Managers) at designing & implementing field trials to improve their business, pitching research ideas to clients and completing pre and post research data analysis. There will be the opportunities for original research leading to presentation and publications in the public domain.

About You

A post graduate qualification (ideally involving behavioural research) such as behavioural economics, behavioural science, public health,psychology or economics - Knowledge and experience designing and implementing studies to understand and evaluate the drivers of behaviour - An understanding of or interest in behavioural economics and other behaviour theories - An understanding of the L&H insurance market, or an appetite & interest to rapidly learn about this area - Strong statistical skills to analyse medium sized data sets and develop business relevant recommendations - Excellent organisational analytical andcommunication skills, including the ability and desire to work closely with Client Managers (within Swiss Re) and directly with clients on driving these projects forward - Ability to Present to and discuss behavioural testing with clients in larger conference settings and smaller meetings both on site and in external locations including abroad – as well as with leading national and international experts - Experience in proactively pursuing your objectives in a team context as well as in an individual setting, managing prioritisation and time management of multiple tasks, and have the ability to range from paying meticulous attention to detail to seeing the bigger picture depending on the demands of the task - Languages: English required - other languages an asset

About Us

This is your opportunity to join Swiss Re Group - one of the world's leading wholesale providers of reinsurance, insurance and other innovative forms of insurance-based risk transfer. Our business at Swiss Re is about understanding and analysing the major risks that concern the world - from natural catastrophes to climate change, from ageing populations to cybercrime. We combine experience with expertise and innovative thinking to create new opportunities and solutions for our clients. And we enable the risk-taking essential to enterprise and progress. This is only possible with around 10,000 truly exceptional Swiss Re people across our group worldwide.

The Behavioural Insights Team - Principal Advisors, Senior Advisors, Advisors

Principal Advisors

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) is looking for exceptional candidates to become Principal Advisors. This is a senior level in the team, with successful candidates becoming responsible for one or two policy areas.

As a Principal Advisor, you will be a member of the Senior Management Team reporting directly to either the Managing Director or the Chief Executive. You will lead a team of 2-4 people, but will be expected to grow this team two or three fold over the next 2 years.

You will interact with senior government officials, Ministers and clients on a regular basis, and be responsible for winning new work and business development relating to your policy area. You will also take the lead in ensuring that quality is maintained across the business and will be expected to manage and deliver projects to tight deadlines and budgets.

For more information see the specification (click here).  Applications to be received no later than 9am on 5th January 2014.

Senior Advisors

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) is looking for exceptional candidates to become Senior Advisors. Senior Advisors will work directly to Principal Advisors or the Managing Director/Chief Executive.

As a Senior Advisor, you will interact with senior government officials, Ministers and clients on a regular basis, and be responsible for winning new work and business development relating to your policy area. You will also be responsible for ensuring that projects you are responsible for are managed and delivered to tight deadlines and budgets, and will likely line manage one or more Advisors or Assistant Advisors.

For more information see the specification (click here).  Applications to be received no later than 9am on 5th January 2014.

Advisors

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) is looking for exceptional candidates to become Advisors. Advisors work on one or more projects, reporting to either a Senior Advisor or Principal Advisor. As an Advisor, you will likely work on two or three different projects across one or more policy area. You will be responsible for delivering pieces of work to tight deadlines. You will be part of a team, and will be managed by either a Senior Advisor or Principal Advisor.

For more information see the specification (click here).  Applications to be received no later than 9am on 5th January 2014.

The Behavioural Insights Team - Head of Energy and Sustainability

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) is looking for an exceptional candidate to become our new Head of Energy and Sustainability. As Head of Energy and Sustainability, you will be a member of the Senior Management Team reporting directly to the Managing Director but with regular policy discussions with the Chief Executive. You will lead a team of 2-4 people, but will be expected to grow this team two or three fold over the next 2 years.

You will interact with senior government officials, Ministers and clients on a regular basis, and be responsible for winning new work relating to energy and sustainability. You will be expected to manage and deliver projects to tight deadlines and budgets.

To be successful you must have in-depth experience in one of these areas and be capable of managing a team of people who have an expertise in the other areas:

• Experience working on energy and sustainability policy (having worked in government, academia, industry or for a consulting firm);
• Deep understanding of the behavioural science literature and how it can be applied to help solve complex policy problems; or
• Ability to design and conduct rigorous evaluations, including Randomised Controlled Trials, difference in differences, regression discontinuity, and propensity score matching.

All candidates must also be able to demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and management experience, including supporting team members to develop their own skills and expertise.

For more information see the specification (click here).  Applications to be received no later than 9am on 5th January 2014.

Harvard Kennedy School - Data Analyst in Education

The Research Fellow will join Professor Todd Rogers and his team in the Student Social Support R&D Lab (S3 R&D Lab) at the Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School.  The S3 R&D Lab works on projects at the intersection of education, psychology, judgment and decision-making, and behavioral economics.

Most of the S3 R&D Lab’s research projects explore the impact on student achievement of mobilizing the support of students' family and friends.  This education intervention research takes place in a range of educational settings, including K-12 schools and districts, online universities, state and community colleges', test prep programs, and MOOCs.

The Research Fellow position is an excellent opportunity for those interested in eventually pursuing advanced degrees and/or careers in research.

Research Fellows should have a combination of the following skills:

• • Experience managing, analyzing, and manipulating large datasets
  • Experience handling sensitive data securely 
  • Excellent statistical analysis skills, preferably with a focus on randomized field experiments
  • Proficiency using statistical software (Stata preferred; R, Matlab, SAS, and SPSS okay)
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong communication and writing skills
  • Ability to learn new skills quickly on the job
  • Ability to work with a small collaborative research team
  • Understanding of, and familiarity with, experimental design
  • Comfort in, and familiarity with, K-12 schools and colleges are a plus but not required 
  • Programming (e.g. Python, Ruby, Perl) skills are a plus but not required 

Basic Requirements: BA/BS degree.  MA or PhD a plus

Applicants should submit résumé and cover letter to Catherine Kearns (Catherine_kearns@hks.harvard.edu<mailto:Catherine_kearns@hks.harvard.edu>).  Finalists may be asked to submit writing samples or transcripts, and may be asked to perform a data analysis simulation. Position could begin immediately.

Note: We are only able to hire people who are eligible to work in the United States without needing the University's visa sponsorship.

For more information on the S3 R&D Lab, visit www.s3rd.org.