User Researcher

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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 Directorate as a User Researcher helping to deliver vital benefits for the people of Scotland.

The Social Security Scotland 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, design and carrying out research activities with users that help teams get a deep understanding of the people that use government services. A User Research informs policy, proposition, service, content and interaction design so that services work well for users and achieve their policy intent.

A User Researcher is embedded in a multi-disciplinary team and responsible for planning and carrying out user research activities. They are able to work independently and as a team.

Responsibilities:

As a User Researcher you will:

• Designing and running user research using a range of methods (qualitative and quantitative) to best support business and project needs
• Working closely with teams to provide clear, actionable insights and support decision making
• Facilitating the inclusion of different types of users in research activities.
• Advocating for accessibility, assisted digital and inclusive design practices to help teams deliver accessible services that work for all.
• Supporting teams to continually improve their understanding of and engagement with users and their needs, embedding insight into their work.
• Managing the ethics and consent processes with research participants.
• Managing the use and licensing of user research tools and facilities.
• Supporting the development of data protection and equalities impact assessments.
• Understanding user-centred service design and delivery practices.
• Helping 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.
• Other duties as required by your Division to support wider corporate activities.

Essential Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) knowledge:

1. Experience in a research role, choosing and delivering a range of research methods for different situations and contexts.

2. Experience of communicating research approaches and insights effectively to different audiences, ensuring they are understood by your stakeholders.
3. 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:

• Self-awareness
• Communications and Engagement
• Improving Performance
• Analysis and Use of Evidence

What we offer:

We offer meaningful 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.