Salary: £49,764 to £53,817 per annum
Grade: N
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Fixed Term Contract Duration: 12 months to cover maternity leave
Vacancy Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Northallerton, North Yorkshire
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead our established Behavioural Science Unit (BSU). Based in Public Health the BSU works across the Council to embed behaviour change approaches and techniques to improve health outcomes of the local population. We are seeking an interim Behavioural Science Specialist to lead a team of three Behaviour Change Officers to deliver effective and innovative interventions to behavioural challenges to improve health and address health inequalities. This is an interim 12-month post to cover maternity leave.
About the Role
Based in our Public Health, Involvement and Governance team, the successful candidate will have line management responsibility for three Behaviour Change Officer roles and will report to a Public Health Consultant. Established in August 2022, the successful candidate will continue leading and overseeing the delivery of a variety of behavioural science research and advisory projects. They will advise on behaviour change approaches and provide technical knowledge on applying behaviour change research to practical examples and evaluating their effectiveness.
The post holder will build on ongoing actions and milestones covering the following key areas: Leadership: strategic leadership and operational management of the BSU.
- Programme management and delivery: ensuring delivery of the annual BSU programme of work
- Collaboration: strengthening relationships with key internal & external stakeholders to identify opportunities for behavioural science applications including partnership working with the Humber North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, North Yorkshire Health Determinants Research Collaborative and YNY Mayoral Combined Authority.
- Evaluation and monitoring: demonstrating the impact of BSU activity through case studies, reflective feedback workshops and individualised project success measures
- Training: ensure the effective delivery of our staff behavioural science training package that will help enable the routine application of behavioural science relevant to job level and need.
Who are we looking for?
Our ideal candidate will have (but not limited to):
- Specialist knowledge of theoretical concepts in behavioural science
- Significant experience of conducting behavioural analysis
- Experience of collaborative working
- Highly developed communication skills
- Line management experience
North Yorkshire is England’s largest Council and is a great place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture.
Benefits of Working for NYC
- Flexible working practices including working from other locations and from home.
- A market-leading pension scheme
- Generous leave entitlement
- Retail, travel and leisure discounts and salary sacrifice discount schemes through our Everybody Benefits offer.
- Commitment to staff development and continuous learning
- Progression and career-enhancement opportunities
- Access to modern technologies to aid flexible working practices.
- As a Mindful Employer, we are committed to promoting and protecting your mental health and wellbeing at work, find out more on the Mindful Employer website
- Green travel loan scheme which offers interest-free loan towards an annual season ticket to get you from home to work.
- In addition to in-house occupational health services, preferential rates on a private health scheme are available through payroll deductions.
- Staff who use a computer as a regular part of their job are entitled to a free eye test.
For any enquiries or to have an informal conversation about the role please contact Public Health Consultant, Katie Needham katie.needham@northyorks.gov.uk
Key documents
Job Description Behaviour Science Specialist Grade N.docx
Key dates
Closing date: Sunday 20 July 2025
Shortlisting date: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 July 2025
Interview date: Tuesday 29 July 2025
Venue for interview: County Hall, Boroughbridge Road, Northallerton, DL7 8AN
NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.
We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.