About the job

Job summary

The Opportunity

Your technical skills can make a lasting difference to the UK's democracy. By introducing modern technology, we can make Parliament more open and accessible and streamline decision-making at every level. So you’ll have a vital role to play at UK Parliament.

Generating insights into the users of our digital products and services, you will act as the customer’s champion. We will look to you to guide the design process with skill and tenacity as you:

• plan, design and conduct wide-ranging analysis from briefs through to final reports
• communicate your findings clearly to diverse stakeholders and colleagues
• build a high-performing culture that truly values user insights
• promote a user-centred design approach to solve complex business problems
• undertake awareness-raising and educational activities to promote your role and cause

What You Need

To be equal to this high-profile challenge, you will require:

• innate understanding of the problems teams are trying to solve
• demonstrable aptitude for conducting contextual research, ad-hoc and lab usability testing, and in-depth interviewing
• proven ability to advocate for user research and persuade colleagues to share your outlook
• impressive critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to see the bigger picture
• sound awareness of the technologies behind digital products and of differing technical roles in a multidisciplinary team
• the ability to pass security clearance, backed by the right to work in the UK

Job description

• Plan, design and conduct research and analysis to support the design and development of digital products and services.
• Conduct research with users of Parliament's internal digital systems as well as public-facing digital products.
• Lead on research activities within a project or product team, from initial planning, through research gathering, to analysis and report writing.
• Understand user needs and requirements by working closely with teams across the organisation to gather evidence using a range of user research techniques.
• Communicate research findings and recommendations credibly and effectively to a wide range of stakeholders and colleagues.
• Be highly visible across the organisation as an advocate for user research and engage, build trust and create a culture that promotes user needs as a priority.
• Undertake awareness-raising and educational activities that support the development and embedding of user research across PDS.  
• Help to establish a user-centred design approach, that will solve business problems and meet user needs within identified constraints.  
• Partner with colleagues from other user-centred professions to add maximum value to projects and develop a high-performing community of practice.
• Work collaboratively to inform design patterns, libraries and frameworks.

The above list of key responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and banding of the post.

Person specification

Criterion 1

You are confident in helping colleagues to understand the value of user research and can support teams to utilise research findings in the design, delivery and improvement of products and services, ensuring outcomes are customer focussed.

Criterion 2

You are well versed with a range of research methods and user-centred practices, and can plan and conduct user research using a variety of research methods, including contextual research, ad-hoc and lab usability testing, and in-depth interviewing. 

Criterion 3

You perform inclusive research that is legally and ethically compliant, and advocate for inclusive practices that help teams deliver accessible services that work for all users.

Criterion 4

You are a skilled communicator and can advocate for user research as a discipline and engage less knowledgeable and sceptical colleagues and stakeholders, building productive working relationships with them.

Criterion 5

You have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to see the bigger picture and you can translate business problems and user needs into relevant, actionable research plans and objectives. 

Benefits

Please refer to our Candidate Information Pack for a full list of our benefits which include:

up to 35 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
generous maternity pay policy up to 6 months full pay
great pension scheme options (contributory and non-contributory)
on-site subsidised gym, nursery, catering, post office, travel office and GP
flexible options including hybrid working and family friendly policies

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How To Apply

Please make sure you're clear on the requirements of the role. These can be found in the Job Description and Candidate Information Pack. You will need to upload a CV and show how you meet criterion 1,2 and 4. Our application process is anonymous, so please remove any personal information from your CV.

Apply By: 25th January 2024 at 23:55

Interviews: W/C 5th February

Format: Panel Interview (Remote)

Our Culture

For our people, we provide an amazing opportunity to bring their talents to an institution that sits right at the heart of society in the UK. We are helping to change UK Parliament and strengthen democracy. What matters here is your potential for growth and your commitment to playing your part in our ongoing success.

We are passionate about providing an environment which promotes inclusion, diversity and equality. Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs or any of the other things that make you, you. We welcome applications from people who feel under-represented in the workforce. This includes those who may feel disadvantaged because of their socioeconomic circumstances.

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 counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.