User Researcher at Department for Work & Pensions, Newcastle/Remote, 6 Months, £Contract Rate

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. As the UK's biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. As such, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.Working with DWP, you will be helping us to drive our priorities to:Run an effective welfare system that enables people to achieve financial independence by providing assistance and guidance into employmentIncrease saving for, and security in later lifeCreate a fair and affordable welfare system which improves the life chances of childrenDeliver outstanding services to our customers and claimantsDeliver efficiently: transform the way we deliver our services to reduce costs and increase productivity..

 

As a User Researcher your main responsibilities will be to:Plan, design and conduct research with citizens/colleagues, to develop an understanding of the usage of government services.Document and share research insights to inform improvements to government services, and the citizens overall experience of using them.Work with vulnerable users and address sensitive or emotionally challenging services and topics.Conduct research with vulnerable users/groups, including children and families, with sensitivity and care, understanding the unique challenges and ethical considerations when engaging with these groups.Work independently to plan and carry out research projects from preparation through to sharing of research outcomes.Make use of the most appropriate research methods and tools to turn research insights into recommendations that align with the department 's goals and/or delivery outcomes.You will also be responsible for communicating with the users and championing core research principles to team members.Test high level and specific aspects of a service, presenting the research findings to help gain consensus and take action based on research findings.You will have the support of experienced User Researchers within the practice, but will be expected to lead within the scope of your work.Essential:Previous experience of user research or appropriate experience of other fields of research.Proven ability to work with vulnerable users and conduct research on emotionally sensitive or challenging services and topics.Demonstrable knowledge of a number of research methods relating to users and/or customers of a service.Experience of conducting contextual and discovery phase research.Proven experience of both quantitative & qualitative analysis of research data.Strong understanding of strengths and limitations of different research methods.Worked in different phases of user research - Discovery, Alpha, Beta, Live phase.Experience in user-centred service design and agile workflow.Previous experience in identifying the appropriate research plan for a given objective.Experience in user centred design practices and knowledge of how to embed them into an agile workflow.

 

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, DWP 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.Armed Forces CommitmentDWP 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 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.