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About the job
Job summary
Would you enjoy using your research to improve digital services for the most vulnerable citizens?
You could be our next User Researcher.
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 and of the colleagues who use different systems and tools to deliver services.
This research informs policy, proposition, service, content and interaction design so that services work well for users and achieves policy intent.
Job description
You will, design and carry out research activities with users that help teams get a deep understanding of the people that use government services and of the colleagues who use different systems and tools to deliver 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:
- Work independently to plan and carry out research projects from preparation through to sharing of research outcomes.
- Make use of the most appropriate research methods and tools to turn research insights into recommendations that align with the department’s goals and/or delivery outcomes.
- Be responsible for communicating with the users and championing core research principles to team members.
- Test high level and specific aspects of a service, presenting the research findings to help gain consensus and take action based on research finding.
- Have the support of experienced User Researchers within the practice, but will be expected to lead within the scope of your work.
Person specification
The essential criteria are outlined in the selection process details.
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Felicity.Smith@dwp.gov.uk.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Research
- Strategic Insight
- Understanding Constraints
Benefits
- An employer pension contribution of up to 27% For further information please click here.
- Annual leave rising up to 30 days, (based on your working pattern).
- Family friendly flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid working, job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Learning and development tailored to your role this could include industry recognised qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join staff networks including: Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Salary Information
Pay for this role is from £40,201 (Band Min) to £43,347 (Band Max)
Our offer to successful candidates will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated at interview.
Existing Civil Servants who secure a new role on lateral transfer should maintain their current salary.
Existing Civil Servants who gain promotion may move to the bottom of the next grade pay scale or 10% increase in salary whichever would be the greater.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Stage 1: Application
Your application will consist of three parts:
1. A Personal Details application form.
2. Your employment history detailing your responsibilities, skills, accomplishments, plus your qualifications and relevant training. Please copy this information into the box field provided.
3. Personal statement up to 1250 words.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
When giving details in your employment history and personal statement you should highlight your experience in line with essential criteria below:
- Understand and have experience of basic user research methods. Know when to use those methods and how to apply them correctly and know how to involve team in research activities.
- Understand what problem the team is trying to solve and can align user research activities to inform decision making and action.
- Ability to use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes. Delivering analysis and information that addresses stakeholder needs and provides recommendations.
- Collaborate with user researchers and other user-focused professions. Guide others on approaches to understand user stories.
- Identify and engage with users / stakeholders to collate user needs evidence and understand and define research which fits user needs.
- Ability to identify and understand constraints and is able to communicate and work within them. Is able to challenge the validity of constraints. Capable of ensuring standards are being met.
The sift panel will use the information in your employment history and personal statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge against the essential criteria above.
For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit Applying for jobs at DWP Digital.
Please note- This vacancy could be extended past the original closing date stated. Please submit your application as soon as possible as Sifting and Interviewing is taking place at regular intervals throughout the campaign being live.
Important Information
- You will be asked to complete your employment history any information that you would customarily share on a CV should therefore be entered onto the application form.
- Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
- If your employment history/personal statement contains any personal details your application will be withdrawn.
Stage 2: Interview
If youre successful at sift stage you will be invited to a video interview via Microsoft Teams. There, you will be assessed against the following:
Technical skills:
- Research – This will be assessed via the required presentation
- Strategic Insight
- Understanding constraints
Behaviours:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
You will also be asked to do a short (5 -10 minutes) presentation on a specific topic. Further details will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
You will be given up to 5 working days when Interviews will take place.
Interviews will take place throughout the duration of the advertising period.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Further Information:
Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location.
Find out more about Working for DWP
For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit Applying for jobs at DWP Digital.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. 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. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Reasonable Adjustments 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.
For further information on reasonable adjustments, terms and conditions and visit the How we recruit page.
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Felicity Smith
- Email : Felicity.Smith@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
