UK Health Security Agency

User Researcher

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Job Title - User Researcher

Profession- User Researcher

Directorate - Technology

Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours

No of Roles - 2

Contract Type - Permanent

Location - Home working or Office Hybrid Working

Working Pattern - Full Time

Grade & Salary - Grade SEO. National banding- £38,724 - £44,393 Inner London -£42,716- £48,068 Outer London - £40,721- £46,231

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Main duties of the job

User researchers plan, design and carry out research activities with users that help teams get a deep understanding of the people that use government services. This research informs policy, proposition, service, content and interaction design so that services work well for users and achieve policy intent.

As a user researcher, you will understand and demonstrate experience in basic user research methods to reveal actionable insights. You should also have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to quickly develop recommendations based on quantitative and qualitative evidence. You will be tasked with influencing service propositions, aligning user research activities with wider plans, and building user centred practices within the team. You will lead activities to generate new and useful user insights through each stage of the delivery lifecycle, from demand shaping through to BAU, working closely with designers, analysts, and developers to iteratively improve our services for users.

About us

We are looking for a User Researcher to work within the Technology Business Partnering Team, which is part of UKHSA Technology.

The Technology Group vision is to protect the nation's health through technology; identifying, designing, developing, deploying, securing, and running reliable, credible and trusted IT services. We do this by delivering services which meet and maintain the Government Digital Service (GDS) Digital by Default Service Standard (https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/digital-by-default). And Technology Business Partnering is at the heart of that as we proactively partner, across UKHSA and beyond, to influence, design and deliver digital and technology products and services that underpin Agency objectives, and provide tangible, valued business and citizen health outcomes.

Details

Date posted

06 October 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,724 to £44,393 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

UKHSA00686

Job locations

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

.As a User Researcher, you will:

  • Plan, design and carry out user research activities, from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides, and moderating research sessions
  • Work closely with business colleagues, product managers, business analysts, designers and developers to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable product and service design
  • Effectively communicate user research findings to the Technology Business Partnering team and the wider organisation, to influence decision making
  • Align user research activities with wider plans to inform service propositions
  • Research inclusively with a wide range of users, including those with additional needs and other hard-to-reach groups
  • Advocate for inclusive design and research, ensuring full inclusion and understanding of users with access needs and those that require non-digital access or support
  • Actively support the product and UCD community in UKHSA sharing your learning and celebrating progress made by other people and teams
  • Be a proactive member of the Technology Business Partnering team, leading by example in our core values of Insightful, Impactful and Inclusive

You can find out more about what we expect from a User Researcherhere.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Essential Criteria:

  • Experience of applying basic techniques for the analysis of research data and synthesis of findings.
  • Experience of working with colleagues to plan and do continuous user research in a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience of aligning user research activities to inform decision making and action.
  • Experience of helping teams adopt user-centred service design and delivery practices.
  • Able to work quickly in an agile environment.

Desirable criteria:

  • Previous experience of Government digital and GDS service standards.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than 750 words. We will be assessing essential criteria at sift.

This should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the Experience criteria or the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored

Stage 2: Panel Interview

All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours / experience / technical / ability through Success Profiles.

When assessing strengths, we want to find out whether you and the job role are a good fit. We will look at what you enjoy doing and what you do well and often. By ensuring that the role is the right fit for you, you are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Making effective decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

You will be required to prepare a presentation for the interview

Reserve List:

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.

This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Government baseline personnel security standard

Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:

  • life sentences
  • arson
  • sexual offences
  • hate and terror offences

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role

Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com

Job description

Job responsibilities

.As a User Researcher, you will:

  • Plan, design and carry out user research activities, from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides, and moderating research sessions
  • Work closely with business colleagues, product managers, business analysts, designers and developers to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable product and service design
  • Effectively communicate user research findings to the Technology Business Partnering team and the wider organisation, to influence decision making
  • Align user research activities with wider plans to inform service propositions
  • Research inclusively with a wide range of users, including those with additional needs and other hard-to-reach groups
  • Advocate for inclusive design and research, ensuring full inclusion and understanding of users with access needs and those that require non-digital access or support
  • Actively support the product and UCD community in UKHSA sharing your learning and celebrating progress made by other people and teams
  • Be a proactive member of the Technology Business Partnering team, leading by example in our core values of Insightful, Impactful and Inclusive

You can find out more about what we expect from a User Researcherhere.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Essential Criteria:

  • Experience of applying basic techniques for the analysis of research data and synthesis of findings.
  • Experience of working with colleagues to plan and do continuous user research in a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience of aligning user research activities to inform decision making and action.
  • Experience of helping teams adopt user-centred service design and delivery practices.
  • Able to work quickly in an agile environment.

Desirable criteria:

  • Previous experience of Government digital and GDS service standards.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than 750 words. We will be assessing essential criteria at sift.

This should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the Experience criteria or the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored

Stage 2: Panel Interview

All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours / experience / technical / ability through Success Profiles.

When assessing strengths, we want to find out whether you and the job role are a good fit. We will look at what you enjoy doing and what you do well and often. By ensuring that the role is the right fit for you, you are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Making effective decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

You will be required to prepare a presentation for the interview

Reserve List:

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.

This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Government baseline personnel security standard

Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:

  • life sentences
  • arson
  • sexual offences
  • hate and terror offences

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role

Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • oExperience of applying basic techniques for the analysis of research data and synthesis of findings.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • oExperience of applying basic techniques for the analysis of research data and synthesis of findings.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

lead recruiter

sophie rigney

sophie.rigney@reed.com

Details

Date posted

06 October 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,724 to £44,393 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

UKHSA00686

Job locations

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)