Lead User Researcher

The Home Office Digital directorate designs, builds and develops services for the rest of the department and for government. Every year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 8 million passport applications and delivers 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property.

We are looking for an experienced lead user researcher for a vital user-centred design (UCD) leadership role in the Home Office.

This role will work with UCD practitioners to align user research activities to better understand all Home Office service users.

You will lead a team of user researchers and designers, to promote your discipline, and be a leadership presence in user research communities. You will collaborate with others to resource teams, solve problems and develop future projects.

While following the GDS Service Manual and assessing services against the Digital Service Standard, you will ensure services meet both user needs and business goals.

Data Services and Analytics (DSA) is a critical service with the aim to deliver a robust Data Analytics capability to drive an intelligence-led evidence-based organisation, to help make our communities safer and improve the public's customer experience of interacting with the Home Office.

DSA find innovative uses for Home Office data and contains one of the most advanced data analytics centres in Government. We strive to lead the way in appropriate and proportionate use of data and analytics to deliver joined-up, intelligent services that unlock the value from data and improve decision making, policy and operations. DSA works with teams from borders, visas and passports to policing and national security., As a Lead User Researcher, you will work closely with Interaction, Content and Service Designers to align user research activities across several projects to better understand the needs and behaviours of all users of Home Office services., Your main day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• working with the UCD leadership team to ensure current and future resourcing needs for user research are met, by upskilling, hiring new talent and allocating resources as required

• collaborating with the UCD leadership team and the Portfolio team to develop and assure good user research practice

• communicating with senior stakeholders to promote a user centred approach and balance user needs with business needs

• building and leading a team of user researchers and designers, including setting goals, providing performance feedback, mentoring and supporting their learning and development goals

• ensuring that delivery and product teams take a user-centred, evidence-based approach to service design and delivery

• ensuring that delivery teams build services that are accessible and inclusive

• ensuring that research is informed by participants from the full range of users who rely on government services

• assuring the quality of user research activities and outputs and embed best practice standards, guidelines and processes,

Watch this video to hear from members of the team talking about the projects they work on and their experience of working here., We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• User Research
• Functional Management
• Strategy and Advocacy
• Managing people and Leading
• Analysis and Synthesis
• Standards and Quality, The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.

For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply.

The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a Digital Capability-Based Allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the Home Office Pay Framework Allowance Careers page for more information.

The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.

For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. The pay ranges for this role are National: £73,900 £81,290 and London: £77,900 £85,690 New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply.

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

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.

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 HOrecruitment.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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

See our vetting charter . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks., * 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)
• 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

Do you have experience in User research?, We're looking for a skilled and experienced Lead User Researcher who is passionate about what they can bring to deliver better services and be a vocal advocate for user needs., You will be assessed against the following skills and experience during the selection process:

• user research: leading and setting direction for user research, influencing project and organisational decisions through expert advice and advocacy for UCD
• functional management: overseeing a professional function across a business area, managing and setting priorities, aligning it with wider strategic objectives
• strategy and advocacy: influencing the wider organisation, embedding a UCD culture and practices at high levels, including with senior stakeholders
• managing people and leading: leading larger teams, setting vision and strategy
• analysis and synthesis: leading analysis and synthesis processes for complex projects, incorporating multiple perspectives to challenge assumptions and reach consensus, mentoring junior team members in data analysis and synthesis
• standards and quality: responsibility for maintaining and updating standards and quality guidelines

The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework., 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.

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.

£73,900 - £77,900 New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the salary band minimum: £73,900 Min Salary for National Roles. Min Salary for London Roles: £77,900 Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA): Up to £9,000 is available for candidates who demonstrate exceptional skills and experience evidenced at interview stage., Alongside your salary of £73,900, Home Office contributes £21,408 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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, If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.