User Researcher for HMPPS Digital Studio 4718

Tender description

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. Specialist role User researcher Expected Contract Length SOW001 dated to 30/06/2017. Subsequent SOWs set at 3 months duration, up to 24 months maximum. Latest start date Monday 24 July 2017 Maximum Day Rate TBC during evaluation Who Speclialist 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 Specialists 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 reoffending 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 reoffending 3. Leading on the development of User Research and User Experience practices across the programme Skills & 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) • Send Candidate CV to kiah_rose.sheppard@justice.gsi.gov.uk in line with the opportunity closing date Nice to Haves • •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 Work Location Greenfield House, Scotland St, Sheffield (with some time in London) Working Arrangments 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 required (disclosure scotland) No. of Specialists to Evaluate 3 Cultural Fit Criteria • •We challenge the status quo: we aim to understand the reason behind ‘the way things have always been done’ to see if there is a better way to do things • •We respect each other in our different opinions and are constructive in feedback • •The unit of delivery is the team - we have no individual heroes, the stars are the teams as whole entities • •We aren’t afraid of conflict: we surface tensions and conflict early, and address them promptly • •We believe empowered teams deliver the best products: those who are doing the work should and do have the greatest understanding of the work - so ask the team! • •We inspect and adapt regularly to continuously improve; learning from failure not blaming individuals • •Working product in the hands of users early and often • •Products degrade quickly, so we regularly iterate and improvement our products • •Collocating the people, skills and knowledge you need is the best way to deliver • •Measure progress by what value you deliver • •Keep focus on quality, making sure the whole team is aware of any debt taken on • •Keep it simple and do less, whether that for features in the product or the way you are delivering Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers 1. **Amendment - Duration** SOW001 dated to 30/09/2017. Subsequent SOWs set at 3 months duration, up to 24 months maximum. 2. Is there a difference between a User Research for HMPPS Digital Studio 4718 and 4717 in relation to requirements and what you're looking for? No - we have posted the same opportunity twice as there are currently two roles available. 3. Can you confirm the IR35 status of this role? We complete IR35 assessment once the role has been filled, so we cannot provide confirmation at this stage. I can confirm however that User Research Specialists sourced via DOS working currently in the Studio have been assessed as outside of IR35.