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 plan and conduct user research or user experience activities across services, guidance and interventions. You will generate actionable insights, advocate for diverse users, and help delivery teams make evidence-based decisions. Depending on seniority, you will lead research and design work or provide strategic advice, technical leadership, quality assurance and mentoring.
Requirements
- Experience in User Research, User Experience or a related User Centred Design role
- Experience applying user-centred practices to understand user needs and improve services
- Communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to advocate for user-centred approaches with technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience selecting, applying and adapting appropriate research or user experience methods and tools
- Experience embedding user-centred approaches through delivery lifecycles
- For lead roles, experience shaping user-centred strategy and providing technical assurance
- British citizenship or dual British nationality
- Ability to obtain Developed Vetting security clearance
- Ability to live within commuting distance of Manchester, London, Cheltenham or Scarborough
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct user research or user experience activities
- Generate actionable insights to inform delivery decisions
- Advocate for diverse user needs
- Apply user-centred approaches to develop accessible and inclusive services
- Lead research and design activities across projects
- Advise teams on appropriate methods and embed user-centred approaches
- Share insights with stakeholders and support decision-making
- Provide strategic advice, technical leadership and quality assurance at lead level
- Mentor senior practitioners and escalate significant risks or blockers
- Contribute to user-centred research and design practices across government
Benefits
- 25 days of annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years, plus 10.5 public and privilege holidays
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Subsidised gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars at some locations
- Paid parental and adoption leave
- Civil Service pension scheme
- Travel-cost reimbursement for eligible in-person recruitment and vetting appointments
Hiring Process
Initial online application → online Situational Judgement Test → full online application → application sift → online interview → conditional offer of employment. Recruitment and vetting may take around 6 to 9 months.