Job Description
Our client is a national sustainable energy company looking for an Programme Executive to join their Data and Insights Division- 18 Month Contract
THE ROLE PROFILE:
The Behavioural Economics Unit systematically applies insights from behavioural science and economics to examine how consumers and businesses act regarding the implementation of pilots and programmes. This work complements strong technology, engineering, data science and marketing competencies within the organisation.
The Behavioural Economics Unit draws on insights from a range of relevant literatures/disciplines focused on behaviour and decision-making to inform policymaking and implementation. The Unit employs robust experimental and quasi-experimental methods when evaluating interventions. The Unit benefits from an Academic Advisory Council and interacts frequently with academics from a range of domestic and international universities.
The Unit works closely with relevant Departments across the company and in particular with those teams that are delivering programmes and engage frequently with consumers and business. The Unit also interacts with peers across Government departments such as Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
The Unit is also involved in a number of international collaborations with organisations such as the IEA and the OECD.
The work programme of this area falls into four main categories:
1. Understanding how people think about energy and make energy related decisions; The Behavioural Economics Unit conducts surveys, interviews, experiments, and reviews of existing literature to provide insights into how people make energy related decisions.
2. Pre-testing policy tools and solutions; The unit frequently uses survey experiments, discrete choice experiments, lab experiments, and online experiments to pre-test policy tools and solutions such as decision aids.
3. Field-testing policy solutions, scaling successful solutions, and measuring impact; Whenever possible, the unit conducts rigorous evaluations (using cutting-edge experimental and quasi-experimental methods) to field test potential policy solutions. As the unit has matured, there has been an increased emphasis on bringing these solutions to scale.
4. Identifying potential policy solutions through a behaviourally informed lens; Behavioural Economics can provide valuable insights throughout the policy lifecycle and can have greater impact when applied at the policy formation and policy design stages compared to the policy implementation stage. The Behavioural Economics Unit strives to influence policy formation and design to maximise the resulting behaviour change from energy policy in Ireland.
The role of Programme Executive, Behavioural Economics Unit is to support the development of the Behavioural Economics Unit in the company, and to inform strategy and delivery. The role involves undertaking research and experiments to test behavioural interventions to drive the clean energy transition. It also involves networking with internal and external colleagues to identify areas where the application of behavioural science can help reduce emissions associated with energy use.
We are seeking someone with the ability to quickly understand current needs, challenges and opportunities and to deliver these via an agreed programme of work. The ideal candidate should be a self-starter with good understanding of the ways in which behavioural science can be applied to influence energy policy and reduce emissions associated with energy use.
Key Responsibilities of the role of Programme Executive
The key responsibilities of the Programme Executive, BEU will include but are not limited to the following:
1. Work with the rest of the team conducting research to design and rigorously evaluate behaviourally informed interventions to reduce emissions in the energy sector:
2. Synthesise existing evidence and summarise key findings and a clear and coherent manner; o Formulate research questions relevant to the delivery of their strategy;
3. Design and implement qualitative research, surveys and online experiments;
4. Contribute to the design and evaluation of field trials;
5. Conduct statistical analysis of primary and secondary data;
6. Present research results through both internal and external presentations, and through written publications such as reports and academic papers;
7. Support the translation of behavioural evidence into advice to support their strategy and programme delivery, and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment policy development;
8. Work with and support relevant teams within the company, other Government Departments and Agencies, and external consultants.
The functions and responsibilities assigned to this role are based on the current requirements stated above and may be changed from time to time. The candidate appointed to this role may be required to fulfil other responsibilities across the Data and insights Department.
To ensure that activity peaks within the Department are addressed in a proactive manner, it is expected that the candidate appointed to this role will need to be flexible in terms of working hours during these periods.
Key Knowledge and Skills
The knowledge and skills required include but are not limited to the following:
9. Good understanding of the behavioural science literature, and how it can be applied to help solve complex policy problems related to energy efficiency and renewable energy;
10. Good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different research methodologies; * Strong communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences;
11. Ability to design and conduct rigorous trials to evaluate interventions, including but not limited to randomised controlled trials;
12. Ability to design and code online surveys and experiments, or a demonstrated willingness to learn;
13. Strong statistical and quantitative analysis skills;
14. Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences;
15. Ability to think strategically and to synthesise evidence from different sources to contribute to policy debates;
16. Ability to work on own initiative and deal with competing deadlines and priorities;
17. In-depth knowledge of energy and climate policy is not essential but would be an advantage.
EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential Requirements
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
18. Degree level qualification in a relevant subject (including but not limited to behavioural science, economics, psychology, sociology, or data science);
19. In-depth experience with one of the following:
20. Conducting rigorous experimental research related to behavioural science and economics; o Designing and deploying interventions to change energy or transport related behaviour; o Analysing large datasets (e.g. survey/administrative) for the purposes of evaluation or predictive modelling;
21. Experience conducting quantitative analysis using statistical software packages;
22. An interest in applying behavioural insights to sustainable energy topics;
23. Minimum two years' experience of working in this or a related area (Research experience as part of PhD or MLitt can be considered relevant experience).
Desirable Requirements:
Some additional requirements would be desirable, but candidates are not expected to demonstrate all of these:
24. Qualification at MSc or PhD level;
25. Experience coding online surveys/experiments;
26. Experience conducting qualitative research (e.g. focus groups);
27. Experience drafting policy reports and/or academic papers;
28. An appreciation for ethical issues involved in conducting behavioural research;
29. Experience working on energy or climate-related topics;
30. Experience conducting research for policy and working in a multidisciplinary environment.
Morgan McKinley is acting as an Employment Agency and references to pay rates are indicative.
BY APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE YOU ARE AGREEING TO OUR TERMS OF SERVICE WHICH TOGETHER WITH OUR PRIVACY STATEMENT GOVERN YOUR USE OF MORGAN MCKINLEY SERVICES.
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