Senior User Researcher

Please note the above list is not exhaustive.

As a Senior User Researcher, You Will

• Analyse and synthesise user research data to present clear user insights and actionable finding
• Drive awareness of user research practices and advocate for user needs to be embedded in strategy, policy and service design
• Involve teams and colleagues across UKHSA in user research so they develop a deep understanding of users and their needs
• Act as the voice of users in service design and make evidence-based recommendations to stakeholders
• Assure the quality of research practice so it meets government and NHS standards, and inclusion and accessibility requirements
• Work with other insight professions to identify common themes and pain points
• Contribute to UKHSA's user-centred design community of practice
• Line manage staff and provide coaching and support to staff across UKHSA

As a senior user researcher, you will work as part of a multidisciplinary squad collaborating with teams across UKHSA. You will help shape the design, development and continuous improvement of user research processes for data products such as the UKHSA data dashboard and internal tools that guide public health decision making.

You will coordinate and prioritise user research activity across several teams, ensuring design projects are rooted in a deep understanding of users and their needs.

As an experienced practitioner, you will assure best practice, lead, coach and mentor others within the team, including stakeholders and professionals from other disciplines in user research and user-centred practice.

Together with other user-centred design professions, you will ensure quality, innovation and creativity in how UKHSA approaches design and brings concepts to life for stakeholders to effect change.

You will be an active part of the user-centred design community. As a senior leader, you will encourage, facilitate and demonstrate the sharing of insights and practices within the community and across the organisation.

This role is aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework for senior user researcher.

Please note the above list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

To be considered for this role, you’ll need:

• Significant experience of using user-centred design methods and practices in complex organisations
• Significant experience of designing and delivering inclusive user research with a range of users, with a focus on qualitative research methods
• Knowledge of how to apply different research methods to different research projects
• Experience of developing user research practices and a good understanding of the key standards in assuring the quality of user research
• Ability to explain the value of research practice, navigate stakeholder landscapes and gain support for research plans, findings and ways of working
• Ability to create actionable, evidence-based insights using a variety of techniques to tell compelling stories
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, working directly with other professions to ensure effective and timely delivery
• Experience of coaching and mentoring other user researchers

Desirable criteria

You May Also Have Experience Of

• Working with complexity, uncertainty and organisational constraints
• Working in an agile environment

Alongside your salary of £56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,276 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.

Required

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 history section on the application
• 1000 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If 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 developing user research practices and a good understanding of the key standards in assuring the quality of user research

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview.

Prior to the interview the panel will share a user research scenario. Candidates will be asked to prepare a 5-10 minute presentation to deliver their research findings and answer questions during the interview.

The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be

• Delivering at Pace (Lead behaviour)
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

Interviews 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.

Qualifications And Registrations

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Location