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We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
The Department for Education is responsible for education, childrens services, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England, and equalities. We work to achieve a highly educated society in which opportunity is equal for all, no matter what their background or family circumstances.
Data is a key aspect in achieving this vision and the role on offer is part of the Data Directorate within DfE.
As the Data Directorate, we are aspiring to make the department a data-led organisation, where we can have responsive decisions that lead to better outcomes for all children, young people and adults.
These are exciting times within our division, as we are progressing through a transformation journey, and were looking for experienced technical professionals to help us achieve our vision. Your unique vision and skills will shape our services.
As well as doing great work, were crafting a place thats great to do work in. We offer forward-thinking ways of working and training opportunities, as well as providing support from specialist colleagues.
On top of that, youll find flexible working, an inclusive culture, and a place where your opinion is valued.
Job description
User researchers at Department for Education plan, design and carry out research activities with users that help teams get a deep understanding of the people that use our services, across education and social care. This research informs our policy, proposition, service, content and interaction design so that services work well for users and meet our policy intent.
Read more about user research at Department for Education
As a senior user researcher, you will be an experienced practitioner who can plan and lead user research activities in larger teams and across programmes of work and more complex services. You will:
- Deliver user research in complex subject areas and supervise and develop other user researchers to assure and improve research practice, ensuring that research is high quality, ethical and safe.
- Build user-centred practices in teams in your programme area, supervising other user researchers.
- Help teams to research inclusively with a wide range of users, including those with additional needs and other hard-to-reach groups.
- Be a service assessor, assessing DfE services against the government service standard.
- Effectively communicate user research findings to the team and the wider organisation, to influence decision making.
- Take an active role in the DfE user research community, helping develop and improve our practice across the department.
We want to use the best of digital, data, technology and associated approaches to transform the way in which we deliver our data products and services across the Department for Education. The decisions we make are driven by data, and we work collaboratively with our internal partners to continue to deliver exceptional services.
Person specification
Essential criteria we will assess you against are:
- Research methods and planning. Ability to plan and deliver complex user research, using a range of methods, working in multi-disciplinary teams.
- Analysis and synthesis. Ability to analyse and synthesise complex quantitative and qualitative data, involving teams and stakeholders, and presenting clear and actionable findings.
- Inclusive research. Experience of researching with and advocating for a wide range of users, including users with additional needs and other hard-to-reach groups.
- Ethics and safeguarding. A good understanding of research ethics, and how to keep participants, teams, and yourself safe in research.
- Research leadership. Working with teams and stakeholders to help them adopt user-centred practices, and ensuring user insight informs decisions and is impactful.
- Coaching, mentoring, and supervising. Developing junior colleagues, supporting their professional development, and advising on and assuring their work.
Desirable criteria
- Agile working. Experience of delivering user research in agile digital delivery teams.
- Government Service Standard. Experience of delivering and assessing services against the Government Service Standard.
- Technical understanding. You know about the technologies used to build and operate digital services. You can collaborate closely with colleagues in different digital disciplines.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide a CV and statement of suitability through which your experience will be assessed.
In your CV, you should include a full employment history giving details of key achievements relevant to the skills and experience outlined in this job description. When giving details of your employment history, you should include details of the work and projects that you have been involved in, and your role therein.
Your statement of suitability (max 750 words) should outline how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job advert. We will assess your CV and statement against the essential criteria.
Please note, CV details must be included in the template within the application form; emailed CVs will not be considered. You should adhere to the statement wordcount as anything over 750 words will not be assessed.
Interview
Candidates successful at sift will be invited to interview. They will be asked experience-based questions so the panel can assess their skills against the essential criteria outlined in the job advert. Candidates will also be asked to complete a scenario-based task. The details of the task will be given prior to the interview.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
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 applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put 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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Neil Taylor
- Email : neil.taylor@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
