Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
User Researcher
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Bristol, Darlington, London, Manchester, Wolverhampton
Job Summary
We are MHCLG
Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people's lives. Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we're all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you're thinking of joining us, there's never been a more exciting time.
This role sits within part of the Buildings Design and Construction Digital team, which delivers cross-cutting projects across professions, products and building performance. These areas are facing similar challenges and require joined-up solutions to implement the recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry and to make sure the sector is positioned ready for a digital future.
As User Researcher you will work in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating closely with policy, analytical and digital colleagues to plan, design and carry out research activities with users that help the division get a deep understanding of the people that will use new digital services in the built environment. A particular area of focus will be on developing digital services and common data standards and architecture to underpin the work of the Single Construction Regulator and to support a digitised construction industry. This role will ensure our reforms reflect how the sector – including the large number of SMEs – work in practice and help address the cultural challenges in the industry.
Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment.
Job Description
As a User Researcher, you'll:
- Work across teams to plan and undertake user research to inform how we develop common data standards across products, professions and performance
- Develop a clear understanding of the diversity of users of government services and how we can ensure our reforms and services are accessible for everyone
- Own stakeholder relationships with parts of the BDC Directorate to drive forward agreement on standards, bringing together building control, Approved Documents, products and Competent Person Schemes
- Advocate for users by sharing research insights on user needs and changing user behaviour with colleagues across the directorate
As a User Researcher, You'll
- Work across teams to plan and undertake user research to inform how we develop common data standards across products, professions and performance
- Develop a clear understanding of the diversity of users of government services and how we can ensure our reforms and services are accessible for everyone
- Own stakeholder relationships with parts of the BDC Directorate to drive forward agreement on standards, bringing together building control, Approved Documents, products and Competent Person Schemes
- Advocate for users by sharing research insights on user needs and changing user behaviour with colleagues across the directorate
Person specification
As a User Researcher, You'll Have
- Experience planning, designing and conducting research in a multi-disciplinary team
- Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis of research results to present clear findings and recommendations
- Experience identifying and communicating with stakeholders, tailoring communication to their needs and building consensus
- Experience working with colleagues to include different users in research activities
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Desirable
- Understanding of the diversity of potential users of services in the built environment
Alongside your salary of £44,004, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £12,747 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).
At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.
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
Application and Selection
The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:
- Experience
- Technical
Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.
Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.
Important: Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document before uploading.
Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter)
Experience & Technical
In your CV and covering letter, please include:
- why you are interested in the role;
- how you meet the essential and desirable skills and experience required
Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead sift question listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.
Lead sift question (Technical): Describe a complex piece of user research that you led which influenced an important decision. What was your personal contribution, and what changed as a result?
Stage 2: Interview
Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential & desirable skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential & desirable skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
Candidates will be asked to prepare a 5-10 minute presentation, further details will be provided on invitation to interview.
Sift and Interview Dates
Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 31st August 2026.
Interviews are envisaged to take place the week commencing 14th September 2026 and are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.
How We Recruit
Find out everything you need to know before applying here.
Applying
- Sifting
- Interview
- Interview Results & Feedback
- Reserve List
- Near Miss
- Civil Service Grades
- We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer
- Reasonable Adjustments
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How To Apply
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Security Clearance Requirements
National Office: BPSS
London Office: BPSS + CTC
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
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 also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
Name : Digital Data Jobs
Email : Digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email : Digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk
Further information
About
If you are unsure about any part of the process or require additional information about the post to enable you to progress your application, you should speak to the Resourcing team - Recruitment@communities.gov.uk. Candidates can appeal at any stage of the recruitment process if they believe there has been:
- a procedural irregularity
- an infringement of the Civil Service equal opportunities policy
- exceptional circumstances which were not notified to the interview panel which might have affected performance on the day.
It is important to note that these are appeals about the process not the decision. In the first instance, an appeal should be directed to the
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