Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Oldham, Swansea About the job Job summary It's a great time to join DVSA as we look to expand the User Research function in our growing User Centred Design team. We work in established multidisciplinary continuous improvement teams and also in the early stages of change delivery, and we support services across the organisation to provide better experiences for our users. This is an exciting opportunity to build upon your skills and experience in an evolving team while working on high-profile digital services that are used by millions of people every day. You will play a pivotal role in developing the User Research profession within DVSA through setting and assuring research standards, managing and developing researchers, developing ways of working that meet the needs of our service teams and stakeholders, and championing user-focused and inclusive research and design. Your work will help ensure the safety of citizens on Great Britains roads and contribute to keeping Britain moving safely and sustainably. Theres never been a better time to join the DVSA. Our Digital-first vision is supported by a clear strategy which allows our staff to develop and grow. Click to find out more the award-winning services we work on and whats on offer for you, helping drive your career forward. If you want to find out more about this role, get tips on the application or ask the hiring manager any questions, join us for a virtual information session on 30th October at 17:30. Click here to register. Job description You will Lead a team of user researchers working across key government services Set and assure standards for research quality, output and impact Advocate for inclusive research and design Evaluate the maturity of User Research at DVSA and recommend steps to develop our practices Play an important role in the development of our User Centred Design community of practice For further information please see the attached Role Profile. Additional Information This role can be based in Bristol, Swansea, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham or Birmingham or Leeds your presence at one of these locations will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. Our expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards this. Person specification We are looking for someone with a deep understanding of user research methodologies, and experience overseeing the development and delivery of research plans and programmes. You will bring experience of managing and mentoring or coaching junior researchers and take a hands-on approach to providing leadership. Youll also have experience championing user-focused research and design and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. With strong communication and interpersonal skills, you will proactively engage and build relationships with service teams and stakeholders to understand their needs and to align research activities to influence decision making. We are committed to encouraging and enabling our staff to develop in and above their role and will support you through further development opportunities/qualifications. Please view the attached role profile for an in depth view of the post. There may be an element of travel associated with this role to other DVSA offices, with some infrequent overnight stays. Please take note that DVSA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. About Us The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably. We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles. Were working hard to: Make roads safer. Improve services for our customers. Make road transport greener and healthier. Harness the potential of technology and data. Were committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams where everyone is valued. You can grow, develop and progress, and make a real difference to society. We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice and welcome and encourage applications from everyone, such as ethnic minorities, women, disabled people and those who identify as LGBT. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace and making DVSA a great place to work visit our Careers website. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Changing and Improving Leadership Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Lead User Researcher - Agile Research Practises (Skill level: Practitioner) Lead User Researcher - Inclusive Research (Skill level: Practitioner) Lead User Researcher - Research management, leadership and assurance (Skill level: Expert) Lead User Researcher - User Research Methods (Skill level: Expert) Lead User Researcher - User-centred practice and advocacy (Skill level: Practitioner) Benefits An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance. Exceptional pension with an employer contribution of an average of 27%. Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30. 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the Kings birthday. Latest IT and Tech devices. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues. Excellent learning and development tailored to your role including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level. Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names. Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing. Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers. For more information see visit our careers page. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. How to Apply As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement (1000 words). Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Please structure your Personal Statement (1000 words) to provide detailed evidence of each of the following: Experience of advocating for user research and championing a focus on all users including meeting accessibility regulations Experience of using research findings to influence decision making within service teams and at senior levels. Experience of managing and upskilling junior researchers and developing communities of practice Sift & Interview Dates The sift is due to take place from w/c 4th of November 2024. Interviews are due to take place from w/c 18th of November 2024. This interview will be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview. We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: An interview. Youre encouraged to become familiar with the Role Profile attached, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. The Department for Transport recruits using Success Profiles. For each role, we consider what you need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. You can read more about Success Profiles here. Reasonable Adjustments As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Document Accessibility If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGCommsdft.gov.uk for assistance. Further Information For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role. Pre-employment Checking Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Digital Resourcing Team Email : DigitalResourcingdft.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : dftrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here Attachments Role Profile - Lead User Researcher G7 Opens in new window (pdf, 149kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail