Do you have a small Behavioural Insight (BI) project in mind? Would guidance from BETA give you the confidence to make this project a reality?
You might be a good fit for BETA's coaching program.
This program is for APS staff who already have a baseline understanding of behavioural insights and are looking to put that understanding into practice.
The aim is to build APS capability in behavioural science. One of the best ways to learn is by doing. Our objective is to build your skills through hands on experience.
How it works
- Pitch us an idea for a small project you would like to undertake. For example:
- Running a survey to understand a target population's behaviour.
- Redrafting communications with a particular behaviour change outcome in mind.
- We assess the idea, help shape it if needs be, and assign one of our experts in the team whose skills are a good match to support you.
- You undertake the project under the guidance of a BETA expert. They will be available to review your work, conduct regular check-ins and provide ad hoc advice.
This is an ongoing service offer and we’ll assess submissions on a rolling basis.
Recommended pre-requisites for participation
Completion of our two online eLearning courses: Behavioural Insights for public policy and 4D Framework, or demonstrated equivalent understanding from other experience.
Suitable projects
Projects are assessed on these criteria:
- Scope: Small project (see below).
- Fit: It is a clear behavioural issue (see pre-requisite learning and behavioural discovery tool),
- Capacity and expertise: We have someone in the team with the relevant skills to be your coach.
Scope of a small project
A small project comprises a discrete piece of diagnosis or design work. Examples of discrete pieces may involve:
- conducting a survey, interviews or focus groups to better understand the drivers and barriers to a particular behaviour
- redesigning a letter and evaluating the impact via AB testing.
Challenges that may increase the scope of a project might include:
- research in populations with greater than ‘low’ ethical risk, like working with vulnerable groups or distressing subject matter
- projects requiring significant stakeholder consultation and coordination
- projects that are likely to take longer than 6 months to complete
- projects with deadlines tied to urgent policy priority.
Note: if it is a government priority, this might be cause for more substantial partnership between BETA and your agency.
Coaching Arrangement
Research and design costs
The coachee's agency are responsible for costs and procurement processes. As part of the coaching arrangement, BETA can give indications of likely costs not already anticipated by the coachee.
Length of arrangement
In general, we won't take on coaching arrangements likely to take longer than 6 months to complete. If the coachee isn't able to commit enough time to complete the project in a 6 month period, we may review the arrangement.
Approval
Arrangements should be made with your manager or team to ensure you have enough time to dedicate to your project. Depending on your project, you may also wish to seek a commitment from your SES or other leaders to support your project. If you’re unsure about this, chat to your manager or get in touch with us.
Roles and responsibilities
What to expect from us
Coaching from a person who is able to dedicate a couple of hours a week to:
- have regular catch ups
- review your work and provide feedback
- provide you with advice and point you in the direction of helpful resources.
What not to expect from us
- Resourcing to do the project for you.
- Flexibility to meet urgent deadlines.
What we will expect from you
- A willingness to take initiative.
- Openness to taking on feedback.
- A baseline understanding of Behavioural Insights (as detailed above).
- A commitment to dedicate enough time and resources to complete the project.
What we won't expect from you
- A commitment to prioritise this over other business requirements.
- To be an expert already.
How to apply
- Complete BETA's Behavioural Discovery Tool with the particular behaviour you have in mind for this project.
- Send an email to BETA@pmc.gov.au with BE Coached in the subject and attach the Behaviour Discovery Tool report.
BETA will assess your submission and aim to get back to you within a week.