User Centred Design Lead United Kingdom
Job description
User Centred Design Lead Full time / Part time Salary: £38,818 - £43,969 pa, with potential for further progression to £49,502 pa with our pay progression scheme. Location: Flexible ed to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office, however, through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. Digital, Data and Technology The ICO's Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) team provides the devices, software, networks and infrastructure that our people use every day. We operate the ICO.org.uk website that attracts over half a million visits every month. We run the data platform and services that provide insight and will support increasing automation. We manage critical enterprise applications such as our case management, finance and HR systems that run our business. And we make sure the ICO is defended from cyber attacks to keep our data, people and customers safe. Most excitingly, we're in the middle of a transformation that will modernise our technological capabilities. This doesn't just mean that we're investing in innovative tech, though. We're also evolving the way we work, bringing practices such as human-centred design and agile into the way we work. We're shifting our focus to have maximum impact on our internal and external customers. And we're looking to build a really diverse and inclusive culture, where everyone can do their very best work, have a voice and be themselves. Why work for the ICO? Pay progression scheme. Hybrid and flexible working options. 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays. Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year). Pension (employer contribution around 26.6%). Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more. Health Cash Plan. Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress. Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress, including mentoring and coaching. Equality, diversity, and inclusion networks, including the Women's Network, Menopause Network, Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Network, Healthy Minds, Pride Network and Access and Inclusion. About us The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data. As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful. About the role As a member of the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) team the postholder will work closely with colleagues across the ICO and external organisations, including Senior Sponsors and Project teams to develop better understanding of user behaviours, needs and motivations through observation techniques, task analysis and other feedback methodologies. This field of research aims at improving the usability of products, services or processes. User Researcher will be a key figure across the Design and Delivery team helping design and deliver new amazing digital services. You will support the team in developing a deep understanding of the people - citizens, businesses or government colleagues - who use the ICOs service. Findings will allow the ICO to design and build better services more quickly and at lower cost and risk. And, to continuously improve services, based on data, analytics and evidence. Working within a multi-disciplinary team on a wide range of user research/experience activities, you will work independently, with support and guidance from colleagues across the DDaT team. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Plan, design and prepare a range of user research activities to support the design, development and continuous improvement of our digital services. Carry out user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides and moderating research sessions. Lead colleagues to analyse research data and synthesise clear and actionable findings, including working closely with analytics colleagues to create a rich picture of user behaviour. Communicate user research findings to help the team and wider organisation develop a deep understanding of users and their needs - including presentations at show and tells, designing and maintaining research outputs, creating formal reports. Work closely with product managers, designers and developers to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable product and service features. Responsibility for identifying, raising and managing defects within a given project/product/service and/or as part of product responsibilities Taking a business and operational view when analysing the system under test, and identify gaps not just in software but in process too Prime responsibility in the acceptance activity within a development phase of given project/product/service Provide reports on progress, anomalies, risks and issues associated with the overall project Communication with team members across the business to plan and drive activities, monitor progress, resolve issues, promoting a spirit of collaboration Negotiates to ensure that stakeholders understand and agree what will meet their needs, and that appropriate needs are defined Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions, outlining benefits, risks and potential responses Strong understanding of Accessibility and the important part this plays as part of a great inclusive digital service/product About you Proven experience of designing, facilitating and analysing a wide range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods and turning analysis into user requirements for web based services. Demonstrable knowledge, experience in and passion for user centred design practices for web, service and software development Ability to create wireframes and prototypes using latest/modern tooling techniques Understanding and experience of championing accessibility and inclusion in research activities and user requirements to ensure services are designed in ways that are useable and accessible Knowledge of GDS standards (desirable) A good understanding of Agile Scrum methodology (Desirable) Ability to understand what problem the team is trying to solve, and align user research activities to inform decision making and action Demonstrate experience in basic user research methods and can understand when to use these methods and how to apply them correctly Demonstrate experience in a range of user-centred practices and service design. Education and Qualifications Proven experience in a User Experience/Research role within a DDaT function Relative certification in an IT related discipline Agile Scrum certification (Desirable) Equality, diversity, and inclusion The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website. If you have a disability or impairment and have difficulty using our online application system, please email us and we can arrange for you to submit an application via an alternative method. Closing Date Please submit your CV by 23:59 on Sunday 30th July 2023 We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered. ICO
