User Researcher

Available Locations

Liverpool, Newport, Norwich, Glasgow or Birmingham.

The following locations listed below are restricted to contracted GCA staff already based in one of these offices: (on CS Jobs input to the Job Summary)

London, Bristol, Manchester or York.

External applicants are not eligible for these sites. If you select one of these locations as an external applicant your application will unfortunately be withdrawn.

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Are you a curious user researcher eager to solve complex government challenges? Do you want to pioneer new approaches like AI-assisted prototyping while advocating for inclusive, accessible digital services? We are seeking a collaborative User Researcher to join our multidisciplinary team. You will drive product design by delivering user-driven insights, helping us enhance existing services and shape new ones. Join us to champion user-focused digital transformation, working hand-in-hand with developers, delivery leads, and business analysts to make a tangible impact on the nation.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will be joining a small team responsible for managing over 20 services which are key to the successful and efficient delivery of grants and contracts across government.

In this role, you will plan, design, and execute user research activities using a variety of methods to gather insights from diverse user groups. You will analyse data, synthesise findings, and communicate insights clearly, ensuring user involvement and advocacy is embedded within our agile practices. Working closely with team members, you will promote user-centred design principles and support the adoption of best research practices to enhance government digital services.

You will play a key role in shaping the vision of our digital services to ensure that each of our products are user centric and driven by user needs. You will lead on planning, designing and carrying out research activities within a multidisciplinary team. You will be empowered to set up new initiatives, develop new relationships and try new ideas.

Key Accountabilities:

• Research Strategy: Plan and conduct user research using appropriate methods within a multidisciplinary, agile team.

• Data Analysis: Analyse, synthesise, and translate both qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable insights.

• User Advocacy: Champion user-centred practices, ensuring insights inform decision-making.

• Communication: Effectively communicate to different audiences and present research findings clearly and persuasively.

• Inclusive Research: Conduct research with diverse user groups, including those with additional needs and hard-to-reach communities.

• Ethical Standards: Demonstrate a strong understanding of research ethics, participant safety, confidentiality, and data privacy.

• Project Management: Manage multiple research activities proactively, meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality outputs.

• Design Collaboration: Build product designs and work with developers to bring designs to life through iteration and feedback sessions.

• Usability Testing: Manage the usability and accessibility testing process, from recruiting participants to preparing test tasks and guides.

• Service Standards: Champion user focus in alignment with CDDO service standards and participate in service assessments as necessary.

Essential Criteria (to be assessed at application stage):

• Agile & User Research Methods: Conducting research is an agile and iterative way to deliver high-quality research at pace.

• Analysis and Synthesis: Leading data analysis and synthesis, critiquing findings for quality assurance, and constructively engaging skeptical colleagues.

• Research Management & Assurance: Setting clear research scopes, upholding practice standards, and continuously refining work through feedback and expert guidance.

• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Building evidence-based consensus, tailoring communications, and aligning stakeholder expectations with user needs.