Senior User Researcher
- Civil Service
- Part Time
- Keynsham
- 57,171 - 70,834
Job Description
Job summary
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.
Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by:
- joining up public sector services
2. harnessing the power of AI for the public good
3. strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure
4. elevating leadership and investing in talent
5. funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation
6. committing to transparency and driving accountability
We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UKs geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government.
Were part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.
The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, youll be working with some of the worlds most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale.
Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nations highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.
Job description
GDS Local is a specialist unit within the Service Transformation Directorate, working at the point where central government platforms, local services and sector reform meet. We help councils and government partners create the conditions for better, more joined-up public services by unlocking usable data, accelerating adoption of common components, shaping a more open technology market and building stronger routes for collaboration.
Our work is focused on four connected objectives:
- Creating a shared vision for local government technology, data and the market so councils can make better digital and procurement decisions
- Unlocking usable, shareable data so councils and delivery partners can support people earlier, faster and more effectively
- Making it easier to adopt common products and platforms such as GOV.UK App and One Login, while reducing the risk and cost of reuse
- Building the conditions for collaboration across councils, sector bodies and central government so change can scale across the whole system
Our mission is ambitious and practical: to help make public services simpler, more responsive and more connected for local authority residents, especially those with complex needs. By improving how councils buy technology, share data, adopt trusted platforms and work with government, we are helping create easier lives for residents, better value for money across local government and greater public trust in digital services.
As a Senior User Researcher, you will lead user research that helps GDS Local and partner teams understand what works for local authorities and the residents they serve. You will ensure we take evidence led decisions and can credibly explain what we have learned and why it matters.
What you will do
- Lead the planning, design and delivery of user research using a range of methods from discovery through to live
- Carry out user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides, and moderating research sessions
- Analyse and synthesise research findings to create clear, actionable insights.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and wider stakeholders to inform decision making
- Maintain research repositories and communicate findings through show and tells, briefings and written outputs
- Support a strong, ethical research culture and inclusive practice
- Advocate for user-centred practices to build knowledge and understanding of users
Person specification
Were interested in people who have:
- experience of using a wide range of research methods and knowing how to adapt approaches in complex environments, and helping teams adopt those methods.
- strong analysis and synthesis skills, turning research into clear decisions or options, and using these skills to help influence sceptical colleagues
- experience working with a diverse range users, and advocating for inclusive research practices to help design and deliver services that includes people with a wide range of access needs
- experience working in agile teams, understanding strategic decisions so you can design appropriate research and support continuous improvement
- confidence engaging and influencing stakeholders with differing perspectives and experience building long term strategic relationships with stakeholders
