User Researcher or User Experience Specialist
GCHQ is the United Kingdom's intelligence, security and cyber agency, working to identify, analyse and disrupt threats to the UK.
About Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
A UK public body whose statutory function includes foreign-focused signals intelligence. GCHQ uses technical capabilities, analysis and online effects across counter-terrorism, cyber security, serious and organised crime, strategic advantage and support to defence. It has publicly described responsible AI use in its national-security mission.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will help the NCSC deliver services, guidance and interventions that protect UK cyber security by ensuring decisions are informed by a robust understanding of user needs, behaviours and contexts. You will work alongside multidisciplinary delivery teams, plan and conduct user research or user experience activities, generate actionable insights and advocate for diverse users. At senior level you lead research and design delivery across projects and advise teams on methods; at lead level you provide strategic advice, technical leadership and quality assurance, and mentor senior practitioners. You will also support large-scale public-facing campaigns and share best practice across government.
Requirements
- Experience in a User Research, User Experience or User Centred Design role
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Experience selecting, applying and adapting User Research or User Experience methods and tools
- Experience embedding user-centred approaches from early stage through to delivery
- Lead: experience shaping user-centred strategy and providing technical assurance of UCRD standards
- British citizen or dual British nationality
- Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance
- Live within commutable distance of Manchester, London, Cheltenham or Scarborough
- Pass online Situational Judgement Test
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct user research or user experience activities
- Generate actionable insights and advocate for diverse users
- Help teams make evidence-based decisions
- Lead delivery of research and design activities across projects (Senior)
- Advise teams on appropriate methods and embed user-centred approaches
- Share insights with stakeholders and contribute to peer review
- Provide strategic advice to multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders (Lead)
- Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across the UCRD capability (Lead)
- Mentor and support senior practitioners
- Support public-facing campaigns with specialist consultancy
- Contribute to ways of working and capability growth of the UCRD team
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years plus 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
- Employee performance recognition scheme
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Subsidised gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (some locations)
- Paid parental and adoption leave
- Civil Service pension
- London Allowance of £6,250 for London-based roles
- Specialist skills pay £4,738 – £25,643
Hiring Process
Initial online application; online Situational Judgement Test; full online application; application sift; online interview; conditional offer of employment if successful. Process including vetting may take 6 to 9 months.