User Researcher

The Test, Learn and Grow (TLG) team is at the heart of the UK governments initiative to drive innovation and reform in public service delivery. Our team collaborates with local authorities and government departments across the United Kingdom and with the Devolved Governments to design, test, and grow innovative solutions that enhance public service outcomes. By employing a "test and learn" approach, we focus on creating evidence-based improvements while relieving pressures on public services. Our work involves testing foundations programmes and place-based initiatives to accelerate delivery, support preventative measures, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages continuous improvement and innovation in public services.

As a User Researcher you will work to support a multidisciplinary accelerator team with a wide range of user research activities. You will work independently, with support and guidance from a senior user researcher and senior service designer. Our current accelerator portfolio includes work on economic inactivity, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), early years, violence against women and girls, neighbourhood health and data and AI in public service delivery. The accelerators are place-based projects with public sector partners to prototype and test solutions and policies aligned to government priorities.

Youll be a part of the Test, Learn and Grow design community.

This role is mapped to the User Researcher role in the Government Digital and Data framework, however were looking for some wider additional skills in design research and participatory design. Were looking for someone who can bring digital and data skills to a policy environment and is excited about working on the ground alongside place-based partners.

This role will require travel within the UK to work closely with local partners.

Main responsibilities

• Planning, designing and preparing a range of user research activities to support design, development and continuous improvement through the different phases of a test and learn cycle.
• Carrying out a wide range of user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides and moderating research sessions.
• Leading colleagues to analyse research data and synthesise clear and actionable findings, including working closely with analytics and evaluation colleagues to create a rich picture of insights and evidence.
• Communicating user research findings to help the team and place partners develop a deep understanding of users and their needs.
• Working closely with product and strategy leads, evaluation leads, and service designers to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable outcomes.

Its essential that you have:

• Experience of advocating for user research and engaging sceptical colleagues and stakeholders.
• The ability to understand the complex problems a multidisciplinary team is trying to solve, and align user research activities to inform decision making and action.
• The ability to advocate for inclusive research principles, planning and conducting research that considers the diversity of users and their needs and the safety of participants, keeping in mind any access requirements users may have and the ethical nature of research.
• Experience recruiting and researching with diverse users.
• Experience of helping teams adopt a range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods, analysis and synthesis techniques and approaches to presenting and sharing findings.
• Proven ability to analyse and synthesise complex research data into clear, actionable findings and insights
• Proven experience of introducing new user research methods into a team, and guiding colleagues in the choice and effective application of research methods.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.