Job summary The post holder will be responsible for managing a user research team, undertaking user research activities on their own projects, and providing training and mentorship for user researchers within the organisation. The post holder will ensure the team generates new and useful user insights through mainly qualitative research, using agile research methodologies, translating these into features and actions that will enable our services to develop and iteratively improve their digital services for customers. The post holder will be able to drive the day-to-day management of tasks while maintaining a wider vision of the business goals and objectives. You should be educated to degree level and have extensive qualitative and quantitative research experience. You will have experience of Government Digital Service (GDS) user research standards. You will have demonstrable user experience research and insight experience gained within a service organisation. You will have a proven track record of working collaboratively to carry out user experience research projects in an Agile working environment. Main duties of the job The post holder will: Leading and conducting pro-active user experience research projects including the creation of user research deliverables to provide in- depth, actionable insight, so that issues and opportunities are clearly identified and properly reported. Planning, designing and conducting interviews, workshops and usability testing sessions to support the design and development of digital services. Leading the user research process from developing the research methodology and user recruitment scripts through to analysis and user research outputs. Conducting in-house user research with users to test concept developments and prototypes using a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, such as contextual interviews, pop-up interviews, surveys and usability testing, to ensure that user needs are fully understood in the service design. Taking an innovative approach to ensure that all customer groups are represented in the user research - testing and using a variety of channels to achieve this. Using hands-on and creative techniques to recruit participants as needed on the project. Working collaboratively with the project team, designers and developers to turn user data into actionable product/service requirements that feeds into prototype development, and influences product direction. Effectively delivering user research projects within deadlines and maintaining a focus on results despite unforeseen challenges and setbacks. About us As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:o ageo disabilityo ethnicityo gender identity and expressiono religion or beliefo sexo sexual orientationo other diverse characteristics We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process. When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement - if it works for you, we'll do our best to make it work for us. Date posted 24 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year Contract Fixed term Duration 18 months Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number 980-HRA651-A Job locations Newcastle Office Holland Drive Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4NQ Job description Job responsibilities This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors. To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached. In submitting your application with us, please note the following: We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies. We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement. Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications. Job description Job responsibilities This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors. To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached. In submitting your application with us, please note the following: We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies. We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement. Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level (or relevant qualifications) in a relevant field, or significant relevant working experience of the subject matter Knowledge, Skills and Expertise Essential GDS trained or with extensive experience across a wide variety of research methodologies to carry out research to identify user needs following GDS standards Providing advice and guidance across projects on both user research methodologies and GDS standards related to research and deliverables Understand and communicate to others the benefits and applicability of UI design, user testing tools, methods and standards to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Demonstrable knowledge and experience in user centred design practices Good attention to detail and able to work to a high level of accuracy Desirable Familiar with collaborative tools such as JIRA and Trello Experience Essential Identifying user needs and ensure they are captured and implemented Track record of conducting pro-active user experience research projects through all stages from research methodology planning through to analysis and outputs Proven experience of a wide range of research methodologies such as professional and customer contextual interviews, workshops, pop-up, guerrilla research and usability testing Accessibility considerations and testing with users with additional needs to shape inclusive design Presenting user research findings to senior managers and external organisations, being challenged on results and research outcomes Managing user data in a secure way, in line with organisational policy Desirable Working within multidisciplinary agile teams, and experience of creating epics and user stories Analytical and Judgemental Skills Essential Excellent problem solving and analytical skills Experienced in delivering user research outputs from both qualitative and quantitative research and able to constructively critique methodological and analytical choices taken within the organisation Interpersonal Skills Essential Training and mentoring junior user researchers and the wider team on user research best practice (e.g. methodology, ethics, recruitment, outputs) and agile methodology Management, development and supervision of a small team of user researchers A self-starter, highly self-motivated and disciplined, able to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines Other Essential Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity Knowledge, Skills and Expertise Essential A high level of confidence and ability to engage with and influence others including senior managers Excellent communications skills Analytical and Judgemental Skills Essential Ability to draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence and data Interpersonal Skills Essential Flexibility, perseverance and maintaining a focus on results despite unforeseen challenges and setbacks Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level (or relevant qualifications) in a relevant field, or significant relevant working experience of the subject matter Knowledge, Skills and Expertise Essential GDS trained or with extensive experience across a wide variety of research methodologies to carry out research to identify user needs following GDS standards Providing advice and guidance across projects on both user research methodologies and GDS standards related to research and deliverables Understand and communicate to others the benefits and applicability of UI design, user testing tools, methods and standards to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Demonstrable knowledge and experience in user centred design practices Good attention to detail and able to work to a high level of accuracy Desirable Familiar with collaborative tools such as JIRA and Trello Experience Essential Identifying user needs and ensure they are captured and implemented Track record of conducting pro-active user experience research projects through all stages from research methodology planning through to analysis and outputs Proven experience of a wide range of research methodologies such as professional and customer contextual interviews, workshops, pop-up, guerrilla research and usability testing Accessibility considerations and testing with users with additional needs to shape inclusive design Presenting user research findings to senior managers and external organisations, being challenged on results and research outcomes Managing user data in a secure way, in line with organisational policy Desirable Working within multidisciplinary agile teams, and experience of creating epics and user stories Analytical and Judgemental Skills Essential Excellent problem solving and analytical skills Experienced in delivering user research outputs from both qualitative and quantitative research and able to constructively critique methodological and analytical choices taken within the organisation Interpersonal Skills Essential Training and mentoring junior user researchers and the wider team on user research best practice (e.g. methodology, ethics, recruitment, outputs) and agile methodology Management, development and supervision of a small team of user researchers A self-starter, highly self-motivated and disciplined, able to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines Other Essential Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity Knowledge, Skills and Expertise Essential A high level of confidence and ability to engage with and influence others including senior managers Excellent communications skills Analytical and Judgemental Skills Essential Ability to draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence and data Interpersonal Skills Essential Flexibility, perseverance and maintaining a focus on results despite unforeseen challenges and setbacks Employer details Employer name Health Research Authority Address Newcastle Office Holland Drive Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4NQ Employer's website https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)