User Researcher - Planning Inspectorate - HEO

We are looking for an experienced, proactive and engaging User Researcher to help us design Planning Inspectorate digital services. You’ll be working with a multidisciplinary team to help deliver changes to our citizen facing and internal digital and data services that will change the way the Planning Inspectorate delivers value for our customers.  

 The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

 For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

We’re looking for a confident and collaborative User Researcher to help shape the future of digital services at the Planning Inspectorate. You’ll work closely with a multidisciplinary team to design and deliver improvements to both public-facing and internal digital and data services—transforming how we create value for our users. 

You will work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary project team, to gather and analyse user research feedback and outline and share research insight with the team, helping to ensure that services are user focussed and clear, and ensuring new ways of working are embraced and our services delivered in line with project goals and delivery cycles. You will be an integral part of the digital team whilst working on the project and helping to maintain design standards whilst improving processes, strategies, and methods.  

Role types and Salary details 

There are two roles available at different employment types: 

1 x  HEO Grade – Permanent - Salary Range £36,396 - £39,424

1 x HEO Grade  – Fixed Term Contract 12 Months, Salary Range - £36,396 - £39,424 

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria

Understanding and experience of a range of user research methodologies, and the ability to choose appropriate methods for web, digital services or software development. 
Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams to embed user-centred design practices and deliver continuous user research. 
Experience of advocating user research, and engaging colleagues and stakeholders in research activities and findings. 
Understanding of the diversity of users of government services and the need to make services usable and accessible for everyone. 
Experience of using qualitative and quantitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes. Delivers analysis and information that addresses stakeholder needs and provides recommendations.  
Experience of applying Agile principles in practice.  
Experience of presenting user research findings in a wide variety of formats. 
Knowledge of accessibility guidelines and how to ensure that digital services are accessible to all users, including users with low digital skills. 
Experience of designing and facilitating workshops. 
Relevant degree or professional qualification (e.g. Subjects such as psychology, social sciences, human-computer interaction, human factors/ergonomics, anthropology or related fields) or willingness to study for a qualification within a reasonable length of time.

Desirable Criteria

Experience of working within an Agile environment using SCRUM, and experience of the full software development lifecycle. 
Experience of the Government Service Standard. 

Experience

See Essential Criteria

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit:  About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Analysing user research findings and identifying insight from the feedback.