We are looking for people passionate about the application of behavioural insights and quantitative research methods in the global south.

As a Senior Research Advisor in our international programmes team in London you will lead our quantitative research in Low and Middle Income countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Our current portfolio includes large-scale randomised controlled trials (RCTs) testing the impact of public health interventions (e.g. vaccination uptake), nimble RCTs testing interventions to increase parental engagement in refugee camps, quasi-experimental designs looking at the impact of edutainment interventions  (e.g. TV shows) on corruption,  online evaluations to test the impact of financial inclusion interventions and formative evaluations that support intervention development and scaling (mixed-methods pilots and scale-up evaluations).  

In this role you will work with a team of junior researchers and policy advisors and will lead projects with our partners across governments, philanthropic organisations, and Third Sector organisations (such as UNICEF or UNDP). The successful applicant will also work alongside other senior researchers across the company to strengthen and expand our research offering.

Specifically, the role will involve:

• Managing Behavioural Insights projects from start to finish, with a technical focus on quantitative research aspects. This will involve client management, resourcing, technical oversight, and team management;

• Leading a portfolio of work composed of a range of research designs including: causal impact evaluations (RCTs and quasi-experimental designs (QEDs)), feasibility studies, pilot evaluations, and implementation and process evaluations, as well as building partners’ evaluation capacity;

• Providing sound quantitative research advice at project initiation and helping to troubleshoot complex methodological problems (e.g. involving small sample sizes or imperfect compliance in an RCT), including by drawing on the expertise of other senior staff as needed;

• Quality-assuring the work of junior quantitative researchers, including trial protocols, statistical analyses and reports

• Line-managing and/ or mentoring junior researchers and collaborating with other senior researchers to up-skill researchers and non-researchers across the company;

• Leading on aspects of the expansion of our research offering in Low and Middle Income contries;

• Developing new ideas for projects, and writing proposals for new work, with a focus on one or two sectors relevant to low- and middle-income countries (e.g. employment and skills, public health);

What makes a great SRA at BIT?

To be successful, we expect you:

• Have experience and a strong theoretical and practical knowledge of designing and running impact evaluations, including in low- and middle-income countries. It is essential that you have a strong technical understanding of quantitative research methods and their applications in real-world settings. In particular, expertise in randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental methods is essential. 

• Are able to code in R, Stata or both. You should have enough programming experience to be able to quality-assure the code of your fellow researchers and help them when they encounter difficulties.

• Can effectively advise clients and coworkers on evaluation/ research topics. This includes being able to communicate complex concepts in accessible ways to audiences who may not have any experience of rigorous evaluation.

• Understand how to support, and develop others. You can nurture talent and energise people to perform at their best. You care about the success, development and wellbeing of others and can have meaningful (and sometimes difficult!) conversations.

• Have a good understanding of core BI concepts and qualitative methods (desirable). You should understand core behavioural biases and behaviour change techniques and be able to use them in identifying barriers to target behaviours and designing BI solutions. 

• Hold a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics or a related field (desirable). A background in Psychology or Public Policy is an additional asset.

Please do not feel discouraged if you do not meet all of the criteria. We are ultimately looking for exceptional people who want to have an impact on real-world outcomes and create environments where everyone can thrive. So whatever background you bring with you, please apply if the prospect of this role excites you.

Who are we and what can we offer you?

The Behavioural Insights Team is the world leader in applying behavioural science to public policy challenges in order to strengthen communities and improve lives. 

We design and rigorously test new ideas across a range of areas such as health, crime and education, to establish what works and what doesn’t. We have helped Tuberculosis patients take their medicine; reduced police susceptibility to cyberattacks; and helped organisations close their gender pay gap.

We are looking for a passionate and imaginative individual who is interested in behavioural science and shares our thirst for evidence-based solutions to join our dynamic and growing team.

BIT really is a great place to work:

• You will work alongside a friendly, talented and driven team with diverse expertise - from economics to anthropology and neuroscience - and a wide variety of personal and professional backgrounds. What unites us is the goal to generate positive social impact through our work.

• We have regular team lunches with a diverse range of guest speakers. 

• We encourage flexible working and have a culture which enables this; for example flexible start and finish times and an IT set up which allows for easy working from home options.

• We have a flexible benefits programme which currently includes things like gym memberships, cycle to work schemes and the ability to buy extra annual leave at the start of the year.

• We’re a social bunch and have a variety of interest groups including Film Club, BIT Kids for our parents & 5-a-side team to name a few!

• We have a beautiful office in Blackfriars overlooking the Thames!

How to apply

We use a platform called Applied to reduce bias in the recruitment process. Our initial selection is based on a few short questions which will be marked by members of our team. This part of the process is anonymous - the markers won’t see your CV or name. 

Candidates with the top scoring answers will be invited to a structured interview where you will get to meet some of the team. At the interview stage you will be asked questions that reflect the role and also be asked to complete a short work-based task, so you have the chance to demonstrate your skills. It’s at this stage we first see your CV. We always give all applicants feedback, no matter what stage your application reaches.

Key dates

• Role closes: Monday 5th June 2023 at midday 

• First round interviews : w/c 12th June 2023

• Second round interviews (if necessary): w/c  19th June 2023

Please note that all dates are subject to change (but we’ll do our best not to change them!)

Alternative roles

If we think that you're suitable for an alternative role at BIT - e.g. an Advisor level or qualitative researcher - we may discuss this during the offer stage.

Please note:

Some of the personal data you provide to Applied when you apply for a role with The Behavioural Insights Team will be passed on to The Behavioural Insights Team for the purposes of (a) reviewing your application; (b) inviting you for interview; and/or (c) offering you a job and getting you set up as an employee/contractor. For full details on how BIT collects and uses your personal data please visit our website - https://www.bi.team/bit-global-recruitment-privacy-notice/ 

If your application is not successful, any personal data provided to us by Applied (including any personal data relating to equal opportunities monitoring as set out above) will be retained by The Behavioural Insights Team for no longer than 6 months after the application deadline has passed (other than in exceptional circumstances where we may need to retain your personal data for longer), at which point your personal data will be securely deleted. We only keep your information for that period in order to allow us to comply with relevant legal obligations.