Senior User Researchers - Ofsted - SEO

Government Digital and Data; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental body is seeking two Senior User Researchers to enhance digital services by conducting user research and collaborating within agile teams. Ideal candidates have a background in Human Computer Interaction or related fields and possess strong analytical and communication skills. The role offers flexible working, a supportive environment, and a chance to contribute meaningfully to user-centered design practices.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Civil Service Pension Scheme

32.5 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experience in user research methods and applying them to service design.
• Strong analytical skills to synthesize research data effectively.
• Ability to advocate for user-centered design approaches among stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct user research to generate actionable insights.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to improve digital services.
• Support agile practices and ensure user needs are prioritized.

Skills

User Research methods

Analysis & Synthesis

Communicate, persuade & advocate

Managing People and Leading

Research Ethics

Accessibility and inclusion

Education

Degree in Human Computer Interaction

Degree in Design

Degree in Psychology

Degree in Market Research

Job description

We are recruiting for two Senior User Researchers to join our User Centred Design team.

As a User Researcher at Ofsted, you will play a key role in rebuilding and continuously improving our digital services, websites, and systems. You’ll be part of our User Centred Design function, working alongside Content Designers and Interaction Designers, and collaborating closely with Service and Product Owners, Project Managers, and other stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

1. Work on a project basis, focusing on one or two services or phases of work at a time.
2. Plan and conduct user research to generate actionable insights that inform service design and delivery.
3. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including contractors and suppliers, to ensure user needs are at the heart of our digital services.
4. Support the development of product strategies and agile delivery practices across Ofsted.
5. Help stakeholders and staff understand and adopt user-centred and agile approaches.
6. Contribute to planning and scoping future research activities across multiple projects.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your experience in Ofsted’s well-established team. The post holder will work with high-achieving professionals at all levels, surrounded by a friendly and supportive team. They will have access to benefits such as flexible working hours, the Civil Service Pension Scheme, and 32.5 days of annual leave plus 8 bank holidays. We offer a hybrid working model, so you may also choose to spend part of your time working from home.

Job description

Please refer to the job specification for further information.

Person specification

Please refer to the job specification for further information.

Qualifications

A degree or other qualification in Human Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Market Research, or a related field. (Desirable)

Technical skills

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

1. User Research methods: Evidence of understanding and applying a range of user research methods correctly for different life cycle phases and research questions, and advising others on these methods.
2. Analysis & Synthesis: Evidence of applying various methods to analyse research data. Synthesise findings to communicate insights from research in a clear & impactful way that drives change in service design and informs policy & propositions.
3. Communicate, persuade & advocate: Develop and implement communication strategies to convince stakeholders of the benefits of adopting a user-centred approach. Provide examples of managing relationships and making persuasive cases for change.
4. Managing People and Leading: Establish an effective user-centred design culture within a team and support embedding these practices into their agile workflows.
5. Research Ethics: Establish and apply ethical research standards to ensure participant and researcher safeguarding and wellbeing.
6. Accessibility and inclusion: Research diverse audiences to help teams deliver accessible and inclusive digital services.

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

1. User Research methods: Evidence of understanding and applying a range of user research methods correctly for different life cycle phases and research questions, and advising others on these methods.
2. Analysis & Synthesis: Evidence of applying various methods to analyse research data. Synthesise findings to communicate insights from research in a clear & impactful way that drives change in service design and informs policy & propositions.
3. Communicate, persuade & advocate: Develop and implement communication strategies to convince stakeholders of the benefits of adopting a user-centred approach. Provide examples of managing relationships and making persuasive cases for change.