Job title: Senior User ResearcherOrganisation: The Scottish GovernmentSalary: B3 £43,725 - £52,353 + £5000 DDaT supplement Location: Hybrid Working with bases in Edinburgh or GlasgowNumber of posts: 3Closing date: Sunday 12 November at 11:55pm Are you looking for an exciting digital role where you can make a difference as part of a supportive and innovative multi-disciplinary team? This is a fantastic opportunity to join The Scottish Government in the Social Security Programme Division as a Senior User Researcher helping to deliver vital benefits for the people of Scotland. About Us The Social Security Scotland Programme Directorate has been created to design and implement devolved benefits for Scotland, enabling the delivery of 16.5 million payments per year, to an estimated two million people. This vacancy sits within the Programme Management and Delivery Division and will support our various teams within the programme. Working with the latest tools, technologies and methodologies we aim to develop user-centred system, services and processes that build capability and enable the delivery of devolved benefits in Scotland. About the role This post plays a key role in planning, designing and carrying out research activities with users to help teams get a deep understanding of the people that use government services.
User research informs policy, proposition, service, content and interaction design so that services work well for users and achieve their policy intent. A senior user researcher is an experienced practitioner who is able to plan and lead user research activities in larger teams and on more complex services.
They build user-centred practices in new teams and align user research activities with wider plans to inform service proposition.
They may supervise and develop other user researchers to assure and improve research practice.
What we offer We offer meaningful and careers, the chance to develop skills in an inclusive culture, and flexible working to support a healthy work-life balance. Our benefits package includes: · Competitive civil service salary and additional digital pay supplement of £5000 per year (after qualifying period of 3 months)· Contributory pension package (employee contributions 5.45 - 7.35% employer contributions 27.1 - 27.9%)· Generous leave allowance - 5 weeks, rising to 6 weeks after 4 years.
In addition, the Scottish Government observes 11.5 days public and privilege holidays.· Flexible working arrangements with the option to accrue additional days off.· Hybrid working options with base locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow.· Learning and development opportunities to help you reach your professional and personal potential.· Career progression – join a well-established digital community with excellent opportunities for career advancement.· Health and wellbeing support including 24 hour access to our Employee Assistance Programme.· Employee discount scheme. Responsibilities As a Senior User Researcher you will: · Lead on a range of qualitative and quantitative user research activities to support business and project needs· Work closely with senior members of project teams to provide clear, actionable insights and support decision making· Advocate for the value of user research by engaging colleagues and stakeholders who are new to user centred design· Champion the inclusion of different types of users in appropriate research activities.· Advocate for accessibility, assisted digital and inclusive research and design practices to help teams deliver accessible services that work for all.· Support teams to continually improve their understanding of and engagement with users and their needs, and helping them embed this insight into their work.· Manage ethics documentation, data protection and equalities impact assessments.· Understand user-centred service design and delivery practices.· Help raise awareness of the social and technological context for government services. Additional duties of this role: · Participate in and/or support programme and project assurance activities.· Contribute to the DDaT community by participating in events and reviewing processes, tools and guidance.· Line manage junior user researchers· Other duties as required by your Division to support wider corporate activities. Essential Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) knowledge:1. Experience of playing a lead role in a research setting; designing and delivering a wide range of inclusive user-centred research using appropriate research methods (qualitative and quantitative).2. Experience of using appropriate communication techniques to share research insights with diverse audiences, with a view to ensuring the insights lead to actionable outcomes.3. Ability to share knowledge and experience of designing research sessions to ensure they are inclusive and meet the diverse needs of participants.4. Experience of managing personal data, consent processes and other ethical considerations when working with research participants. Essential Competencies Required:· People Management· Communications and Engagement · Improving Performance· Analysis and Use of Evidence How to apply: To apply for this position you will need to submit an application via our online application system: https://core-scottishgovernment.icims.com/jobs/7208/senior-user-researcher/job?hub=10&_gl=1*1od0970*_ga*MTg1MTk3MzY3LjE2OTIyNjI2NDY.
*_ga_5Y2BYGL910*MTY5NzQ1MDk5OC40MC4xLjE2OTc0NTEwMDguMC4wLjA.&mobile=false&width=980&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=0&jun1offset=60 As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a CV outlining your relevant skills and experience for the role (no more than 2 sides of A4) and a personal statement (of no more than 750 words).
When considering how your experience relates to the role, please tailor your CV and personal statement to reflect the role and the essential skills/criteria as described in the job description/person specification. Find out more:Visit our Social Security Digital Recruitment webpage: https://work-for-scotland.org/digital-careers-that-make-a-difference If you have any questions about this vacancy contact us at: ******
Additional information:Frequency: Per yearEmployment type: Full-time