User Researcher for NOMS Digital Studio

Overview

Specialist role User researcher

Summary of the work 

An exciting opportunity for talented, tenacious individuals looking to join our team and take lead in creating world-class services in the Prison and Probation environment. Conducting Service Discovery to identify and deliver high-quality, user-centred products that positively impact the lives of offenders, prison staff and society as a whole.

Latest start date 15/09/2016

Region Yorkshire and the Humber

Organisation the work is for National Offender Management Service (NOMS)

About the work

Who the specialist will work with 

We're building a team of around 70 experts in Web Development, Design and User Research. This is a brilliant opportunity to be part of a growing team from its nascent stage and play an active and continued role in the strategic development of both the team and the studio approaches. Immediate team: Service design team of a Technical Architect, Service Designer and Service Manager- based in Sheffield. Wider Service Area team: Service design team working across up to 3 Product Delivery Teams- based in Sheffield. Community of User Researchers, 3 based in London and Head of User Experience in Sheffield

What the specialist will work on 

The Digital Studio is planned to deliver, over the next 5 years, modern and mobile technology products quickly, responsively and flexibly. Our aim is to reduce re-offending by introducing products that reduce violence, improve employability, reduce self-harm and improve offender-family relationships. This role includes - 1. Leading research across the Prison and Probation Service to build a picture of the system, identifying the actors and the opportunities for service improvements 2. Leading Discovery work to inform the development of new products to reduce re-offending 3. Leading on the development of User Research and User Experience practices across the programme

Work setup

Address where the work will take place Furnace Hill, Sheffield & St James' Park, London

Working arrangements 

The role includes travel across the UK to conduct research in prisons and probation offices. When not engaged in off-site research, you will be working on-site in Sheffield and London, with at least 2-3 days per week based in Sheffield, so as to have face to face engagement with the rest of the team. There is a £5,000 limit on travel expenses. Expenses will only be covered for research trips/meetings outside of Sheffield. Travel between Sheffield and the Supplier's location is not covered.

Security clearance Basic Clearance is required.

Skills and experience

Essential skills and experience 

• Have 5+ years conducting user experience research
• Have Degree Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Cognitive Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or related field
• Have In-depth understanding of user-centered design principles and tools
• Have Excellent written and verbal communication
• Be Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Have demonstrable 3+ years experience planning and building digital products.
• Have Proven experience of stakeholder management; Strong negotiation skills to ensure that design thinking is intrinsic to delivery, but also taking a pragmatic approach to design where needed
• Have Experience leading (defining scope, approach and carrying out delivery of) end to end service transformation work, using user-centred, agile approaches
• Have Demonstrable 3+ years experience in working effectively with cross-disciplinary teams (with Design, Software, Content and Product team members)
• Have Demonstrable 3+ years experience with ensuring that appropriate user research is part of the process for making design decision

Nice-to-have skills and experience 

• Have A broad understanding of visual design, interaction design, content design and service design.
• Have Previous experience of leading mixed teams of designers and researchers.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.