Behaviour Change Strategist in London

We are seeking a Behaviour Change Strategist to bridge the worlds of behavioural science, creative strategy, and communications planning. This role sits at the heart of our work, translating complex research and audience insights into compelling, evidence-based interventions that drive measurable behaviour change. You will lead the strategic thinking behind integrated campaigns that address complex social and security challenges, particularly across Central and Eastern Europe. Working collaboratively with research, creative, digital, and client teams, you will ensure our interventions are grounded in behavioural science principles while remaining culturally relevant and creatively powerful. The position reports to the Head of Strategy and works closely with the Creative Director and Head of Digital. You will be either based in London (UK) or should be able to commute easily to the London office for at least three days a week.

What you’ll be doing:

• Briefing our research teams and supporting the analysis of data to identify contextual and audience insights.
• Designing programs with clear theories of change grounded in evidence-based assumptions.
• Developing campaign strategies.
• Turning quant and qual research, OSINT, and other forms of data into compelling narratives, message frameworks, and campaign propositions tailored to specific audiences and contexts.
• Developing creative briefs.
• Facilitating co-creation workshops and working sessions with clients, civil society partners, and internally to ensure cultural relevance and contextual accuracy across Central and Eastern European audiences.
• Working closely with the Project Director, Creative Director, and production teams to ensure all outputs align with strategic objectives and creative intent.
• Supporting regular and clear client reporting.
• Embedding safeguarding, ethical, and security considerations throughout creative development and implementation.
• Supporting the development of Theories of Change and measurable campaign KPIs, linking creative strategy to behavioural or attitudinal outcomes.
• Collaborating with MEL and research teams to monitor campaign performance, applying learning to refine creative strategies over time.
• Providing strategic and creative leadership in client and donor engagements, confidently presenting concepts, insights, and recommendations.
• Supporting ongoing business development efforts.
• Staying informed on best practice in strategic communications and behaviour change and bringing innovation to our work.
• Representing Zinc at high-level meetings with clients and project partners, all while embodying the values of Zinc Network.

What we need from you:

• 5+ years’ experience in creative strategy, communications planning, or campaign design.
• Ideally a blended background from advertising or creative agencies but with experience in international development, social impact, government communications, or public affairs.
• Demonstrated experience developing multi-channel, insight-driven campaigns in complex or sensitive environments.
• Strong understanding of influence operations and audience behaviour in fragile or contested information spaces.
• Excellent writing and conceptual skills, with experience producing creative briefs, messaging frameworks, and strategic propositions.
• Demonstrated interest in international affairs and public policy, particularly in Eastern and Central Europe.
• A passion for technology and a willingness to be AI-first in the way you work and the output you deliver.
• A strong systems thinker who can find credible and innovative ways to address seemingly intractable problem sets.
• Familiarity with design thinking and product and service design approaches.
• Strong collaboration skills, with experience working closely with insights, creative, digital, and production teams.
• Confidence operating in client-facing settings, including presenting strategic recommendations and creative concepts to senior stakeholders.
• Familiarity with behaviour change models (COM-B, EAST, MINDSPACE, nudge theory, Fogg Behaviour Model).
• A clear understanding of ethical storytelling, safeguarding, and risk-sensitive communications, particularly in politically or culturally sensitive contexts.
• Must have or be able to get UK security clearance.

Desirable:

• Academic background or formal training in behavioural science, psychology, behavioural economics, or related field.
• Experience working in international development, social impact, government communications, or public affairs.
• Language skills relevant to Central and Eastern Europe.
• Track record of thought leadership (publications, speaking engagements, etc.).
• Experience with participatory research methods and community engagement approaches.

Conditions of Employment:

• Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking-related activities) or workplace investigation.
• Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting.