AMS PSR

On behalf of the Cabinet Office we are looking for a User Researcher (Inside IR35) for a 3 month contract. Hybrid working based in either London, Manchester, York, Glasgow or Bristol.

The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. The Cabinet Office is also the corporate headquarters for the government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and takes the lead in certain critical policy areas. More information about the Cabinet Office can be found on its website at: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office

The Test, Learn and Grow (TLG) team is at the heart of the UK government’s initiative to drive innovation and reform in public service delivery. Our team collaborates with local authorities and government departments across the United Kingdom and with the Devolved Governments to design, test, and grow innovative solutions that enhance public service outcomes. By employing a "test and learn" approach, we focus on creating evidence-based improvements while relieving pressures on public services. Our work involves testing foundational programmes and place-based initiatives to accelerate delivery, support preventative measures, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages continuous improvement and innovation in public services.

As a User Researcher you will work to support a multidisciplinary accelerator team with a wide range of user research activities. Our current accelerator portfolio includes work on economic inactivity, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), early years, violence against women and girls, neighbourhood health and data and AI in public service delivery. The accelerators are place-based projects with public sector partners to prototype and test solutions and policies aligned to government priorities.

As a User Researcher your main responsibilities will be:

• Planning, designing and preparing a range of user research activities to support design, development and continuous improvement through the different phases of a “test and learn” cycle.
• Carrying out a wide range of user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides and moderating research sessions.
• Leading colleagues to analyse research data and synthesise clear and actionable findings, including working closely with analytics and evaluation colleagues to create a rich picture of insights and evidence.
• Communicating user research findings to help the team and place partners develop a deep understanding of users and their needs.
• Working closely with product and strategy leads, evaluation leads, and service designers to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable outcomes.

Essential:

• Planning, designing and preparing a range of user research activities to support design, development and continuous improvement through the different phases of a “test and learn” cycle.
• Advising and supporting accelerators with creative and practical ideas for engaging with residents (end users) through user research, participatory design research methods, and third sector engagement.
• Carrying out a wide range of user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides and moderating research sessions.
• Leading colleagues to analyse research data and synthesise clear and actionable findings, including working closely with analytics and evaluation colleagues to create a rich picture of insights and evidence.
• Communicating user research findings to help the team and place partners develop a deep understanding of users and their needs.
• Working closely with product and strategy leads, evaluation leads, and service designers to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable outcomes.
• Help teams surface user insights and shape narratives of their work connecting to government policy priorities, and the wider aims of the programme.

Desirable:

• Public Sector experience.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, The Cabinet Office guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

The Cabinet Office guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".