Job responsibilities
As a user researcher, youll work as part of a multidisciplinary squad collaborating with teams across UKHSA. Through effective user research youll ensure design projects are rooted in a deep understanding of users and their needs.
Together with other UCD professions, youll ensure quality, innovation, and creativity in how we approach all aspects of design and how we bring concepts to life for stakeholders to effect change.
Youll embody inclusive behaviours. Youll understand the importance of inclusive research practices, taking pride in ensuring research is representative of a wide range of people and communities.
Youll be an active part of the UCD community sharing insights and practices within the community and across the organisation.
Your work will help UKHSA to solve problems, improve public health outcomes and address health inequalities.
This role is aligned to User researcher - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
Roles and responsibilities
As a user researcher, youll:
- carry out user research activities, creating research plans, recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides, creating information gathering artefacts, running and moderating user research sessions
- analyse and synthesise user research data to present clear and engaging user insights and actionable findings, using creative approaches to storytelling
- contribute to the improvement of user research practice and ways of working by adhering to and embedding consistent and high-quality professional standards
- drive awareness of user research practices, advocating for user needs and user research to be embedded within strategy, policy and service design
- work collaboratively and in an inclusive manner by involving teams and colleagues from across UKHSA in user research to help everyone develop a deep understanding of UKHSAs users needs
- act as the voice of users in the design of our services, make actionable recommendations based on insights and communicate these to stakeholders clearly and confidently
- ensure research practice is high quality and meets government and NHS standards and industry best practice using peer reviews and critique processes to gather feedback and share best practice
- actively contribute to the UKHSAs community of practice, advocate for user research and support the creation of the right environment and processes to establish the profession within UKHSA
Essential Criteria:
To be considered for this role, youll need:
- experience of using user-centred design methods and practices in complex organisations
- experience of designing and delivering inclusive user research with a range of users
- experience of qualitative research methodologies and knowing how to apply different methods to different research projects
- experience of using basic techniques to analyse and synthesise findings
- to be able to create actionable, evidenced-based insights using a variety of techniques to tell compelling stories.
- experience of developing user research practices and a good understanding of the key standards in assuring the quality of user research
- to be able to explain the value of research practice. navigate stakeholder landscapes and gain support for research plans, findings, and ways of working
- to be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, working directly with other professions to ensure effective and timely delivery
Desirable Criteria:
You may also have experience of:
- working in an agile environment
- coaching and mentoring other user researchers
Selection Process Details:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 750 word supporting statement.
This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If longlisting is used, the pile meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria of:
- experience of using user-centred design methods and practices in complex organisations
- experience of qualitative research methodologies and knowing how to apply different methods to different research projects
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Stage 2: Interview
Success Profiles
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Your capability for this role will be assessed against the essential criteria and your technical skills as a user researcher.The technical skills for this role are:
- Analysis and synthesis
- Research management, leadership and assurance
- User research methods
- User-centred practice and advocacy
Youll be invited to a 60-minute remote video interview. This will include a presentation on your understanding of user-centred design and user research, to help us understand more about you and your skills and experience. Full instructions will be sent to those candidates successful at gaining interview.
Interview dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Selection Process
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Eligibility Criteria
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).
Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.Salary Information/Bands
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
- £41,983-£48,128 (National)
- £44,148-£50,121 (Outer)
- £46,310-£52,113 (Inner)
