Senior User Researcher
Home Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 9th February 2025
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Salary
Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA): Up to £6,000 is available for candidates who demonstrate exceptional skills and experience evidenced at interview stage.
Job grade
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Type of role
Information Technology
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About the job
Job summary
Data Services and Analytics is a critical service delivery unit comprised of a number of services and programmes.
The main aim of DSA is to deliver a robust Data Analytics capability to drive an intelligence-led evidence-based organisation, in order to help make our communities safer and improve the public's customer experience of interacting with the Home Office.
We are looking for a Senior User researcher to join our team to conduct comprehensive research into our services to ensure we deliver services to our users that allows them to function long term, the user researcher will explore the problem areas and its impacts.
Job description
We’re looking for a skilled and experienced Senior User Researcher who is passionate about what they can bring to delivering better services at the Home Office and prepared to be a vocal advocate for user needs.
You will work within a fast-paced delivery team - either across several smaller services or dedicated to one larger programme of work. Your research will inform policy, proposition, service, content and interaction design so that digital services work well for users and achieve their policy intent.
As a Senior User Researcher, you will plan and lead user research activities in large teams and on complex services. You will develop research strategy and test design, as well as leading on expansive discovery research and analysis within the broad problem space. You will lead research using a range of methods, including usability testing, contextual interviews, pop-up testing, and will lead on rapid analysis that involves the wider team whenever possible.
You will also carry out line management, mentoring, training and other activities designed to up-skill junior staff in primary research techniques, as well as recruitment activities to ensure that we continue to have the required skills within the organisation.
You’ll communicate insights from research in engaging and impactful ways to delivery teams and stakeholders to drive change and improve government services.
What you will do
Your main day to day responsibilities will be:
- leading the planning, design and execution of user research and usability testing to understand user needs and behaviours and inform the design and development of government services
- influencing how decisions are made and constructively challenging ways of thinking at both the team and senior stakeholder level
- leading other user researchers within a digital delivery team, mentoring and up-skilling researchers and supporting the growth and development of the team
- taking a user centred, evidence-based approach by turning user research findings into actionable insights that influence service/product development
- supporting digital delivery teams to build accessible digital services by ensuring that participants with access needs and low digital skills are included in all research
- sharing insights from research and examples of best practice where they can help other researchers across the Home Office
- aligning user research activities with wider organisational objectives to provide strategic insights that inform policy and proposition
Person specification
UK residency and security requirements - You need to have lived in the UK for the past 5 years.
Essential criteria
As a Senior User Researcher, you will have experience of:
- understanding and applying a range of user research methods correctly for different life cycle phases, and advising others on these methods
- communicating insights from research in a clear and impactful way that drives change in the design of services and informs policy and proposition
- establishing an effective user centred design culture in a team, and supporting them to embed user centred design practices into their agile workflow
- convincing senior stakeholders about the benefits of adopting a user-centred approach, based on evidence
- establishing and applying ethical research standards and practices to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of participants and researchers
- researching diverse audiences to help teams deliver accessible and inclusive digital services
Our skills align with the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Research (Lead Technical Skill)
- Analysis and synthesis
- User centred and Agile practices
Benefits
Why work for us...
- A highly competitive pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- 25 days annual leave on appointment rising 1 day per year up to 30 days, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the King’s Birthday.
- Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that is right for you including; Full time, part-time, flexi time, compressed hours and job sharing.
- A hybrid working model of a minimum 60% of your contracted hours in the workplace and 40% remote.
- Training and development opportunities tailored to your role, including access to technical and professional accreditations.
- Access to funded qualifications (subject to approval)
- A capability allowance reviewed annually.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- Enhanced parental leave schemes.
- Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards.
This link is to a short guide to employee benefits: Benefits - Home Office Careers
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and 1000 word personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note your CV and personal statement should include all relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. Use STAR format in your examples.
Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender.
(Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected)
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism, copying, and generating of examples/ answers from internet sources including Artificial Intelligence. If detected, the application may be withdrawn from the process.
Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving civil servants. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all civil servants.
Sift Stage
The sift will be held on the CV and Personal Statement. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements.
In the event of a high number of applications received, an initial sift may be held on lead technical skill - Research. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.
Interview Stage
Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend a final interview. The interview will assess your Technical Skills and experience using technical and experience-based questions.
Candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will explore your technical skills and experience. At the interview you will be asked to conduct a 5 minute Presentation, followed by questions. The Presentation topic will be provided to you in advance of your interview for you to prepare accordingly.
Sift and interview dates
Sift will be conducted week commencing 10th February 2025.
Interviews will be held week commencing 3rd March 2025 (Subject to the Panel’s operational requirements/priorities)
Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Further Information
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Applicants can raise any queries to the email address at the bottom of the advert.
Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.
If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application, please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.
Reserve list
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
UK residency and security requirements
Please note that this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years.
However, in exceptional circumstances security clearance applications for candidates who have been present in the UK for at least 3 of last 5 years may be considered. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Visa Sponsorship
We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License.
Capability Allowance
This post is eligible for a DDaT Recruitment Retention Allowance. Successful candidate with exceptional skills and experience may apply for a Recruitment and Retention Allowance. This allowance is subject to an initial review within six months of taking up the post and thereafter an annual review in line with the departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
Job offers to this post are made on the basis of merit. We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same competencies and essential skills.
Working at the Home Office
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Ruth Christy
- Email : acrecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
