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 deliver accessible, inclusive and effective cyber-security services, guidance and interventions. You will work with multidisciplinary delivery teams to understand user needs, behaviours and contexts; plan and conduct user research or user experience activities; and turn findings into actionable insights. Depending on your seniority, you will lead research and design activities, advise on methods, share insights with stakeholders, influence delivery decisions, and support peer review. At lead level, you will provide strategic advice, technical leadership and quality assurance, mentor senior practitioners, and escalate significant risks or blockers. You will also provide specialist consultancy across NCSC initiatives, contribute to user-centred research and design practices, and share learning across the wider government profession.
Requirements
- Experience in a User Research, User Experience or related User Centred Design role
- Experience applying user-centred practices to understand user needs and inform service improvements
- Communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to explain and advocate for user-centred approaches to technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience selecting, applying and adapting User Research or User Experience methods and tools throughout delivery lifecycles
- Experience embedding user-centred approaches from an early stage through delivery in environments without clearly defined user-centred requirements
- For lead roles, experience shaping user-centred strategy across project areas
- For lead roles, experience providing technical assurance of UCRD standards, outputs and approaches
- British citizenship or dual British nationality
- Ability to obtain Developed Vetting clearance
- Live within commuting distance of Manchester, London, Cheltenham or Scarborough
Responsibilities
- Plan and conduct user research or user experience activities
- Generate actionable insights from user needs, behaviours and contexts
- Apply user-centred approaches to develop accessible and inclusive services
- Advocate for diverse users and support evidence-based decision-making
- Lead research and design activities across projects
- Advise teams on appropriate user research and user experience methods
- Share insights with stakeholders and provide constructive challenge
- Provide strategic advice, technical leadership and quality assurance at lead level
- Mentor and support senior practitioners at lead level
- Escalate significant risks or blockers where required
- Provide specialist consultancy to NCSC initiatives
- Contribute to user-centred research and design ways of working and professional collaboration
Benefits
- 25 days of annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years of service
- 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
- London allowance of £6,250 for London-based roles
- Specialist skills pay ranging from £4,738 to £25,643
- Employee performance recognition scheme
- 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
- Reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for 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. Candidates must pass each stage; recruitment and vetting may take around 6–9 months.
