User researcher (Discovery)

Tender description

Summary of the work Support the delivery of the Discovery phase of a digital product to enable students, trainees and those undertaking continuing professional development to undertake purposeful observation of leadership behaviours in the workplace, reflect on their own leadership behaviours and familiarise themselves with the Healthcare Leadership Model. Specialist role User researcher Expected Contract Length Contract will end by the 31 March 2019 or at the completion of the project, whichever is first. Latest start date Monday 22 October 2018 Early Market Engagement A programme of work is underway, led by the Leadership Academy with other national and regional partners, to increase the prominence and content of leadership development in the curricula of healthcare professionals. Stakeholder meetings and consensus guidance have identified that tools to identify, label, and reflect on, observed and enacted leadership behaviours in the clinical workplace are a useful adjunct to more formal education and training. Who Speclialist Work With The specialist(s) will work with a small working group at the Academy - including senior members of the Academy’s digital team, the Academy head of research and evaluation, the Academy lead for the Healthcare Leadership Model and the Dean of Education and Leadership Development. Working group members can provide access to a range of subject matter experts, learners and other stakeholders from across the service. The specialist(s) will report to the Dean of Education and Leadership Development What Specialists Work On • Generate research questions that need answering to move us towards Alpha. • Articulate product hypotheses, based on gathered subject matter expert insights, that will support the research. • Define and / or develop paper or digital prototypes for research. • Conduct user research sessions and report on and socialise findings. • Iterate the above as required to arrive at an MVP Alpha product specification Skills & Experience • Have experience and expertise in designing and conducting inclusive GDS aligned research discovery. • Have experience and expertise in designing prototypes for research • Have experience and expertise in writing Alpha phase specifications Nice to Haves • Have experience in presenting research to stakeholders on behalf of the user groups represented Work Location No base is specified but the specialist(s) will need to work as needed with; • Stakeholder groups, location to be determined but may be virtual • Working group based in Leeds/London • Users, at the most appropriate location to conduct research • The Digital team based in Leeds Working Arrangments The specialist(s) will need to; • Participate in conference calls with the working group as they are convened. These are anticipated to be every 4-6 weeks. • Give frequent work updates to the Dean of Education and Leadership Development via the Clinical Leadership Programme Manager. • Use appropriate venues that are already available at no cost to the Academy to carry out the work. • Expenses and rates must be declared in advance of starting and approved before travel. No. of Specialists to Evaluate 5 Cultural Fit Criteria • Works inclusively with stakeholders and research participants • Challenges poor practice • Actively champions the voice and needs of the user • Works well in a multidisciplinary team with a variety of stakeholders • Takes responsibility for progressing own work Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 10% Price 40% Questions from Suppliers 1. What is the IR35 status? We do not intend to employ the Specialist through standard staff payroll. We expect to engage through an intermediary agency who will cover the Specialists tax and NI obligations. 2. Is there a current incumbent? This is a new project and there is no current incumbent. The role will work with knowledge specialists from multiple organisations to understand existing needs, requirements and expectations. 3. Please can you indicate the budget in place for the position? 40% of our assessment is based on cost-effectiveness and so a large part of our decision-making process will be looking for the cheapest offer that provides the quality of service we need. 4. Please can you give an estimate of how often the specialist will be required to work with groups based in Leeds/London and the Digital team based in Leeds per month? Stage 2 of this bidding process will refine the requirements for travel balanced against your day rates.Here we would like you to use your experience of working on such projects to inform us as to what you believe an appropriate amount of contact time. Not all meetings must be face to face, videoconferencing and voice calls you may deem to meet the needs of some components of the work. 5. What is the approx length of the contract and is there a top charge rate please? The contract will end by the 31 March 2019 or at the completion of this research phase of the project, whichever is first.We’d like suppliers to advise of the rate they are wishing to bid at. Price forms 40% of the assessment criteria. 6. Is this a full time role, i.e., 5 days a week, based remotely? We will require attendance at key meetings and to ensure the milestones are met. Outside of the requirements, how you manage your time is up to you. We expect the Specialist to:• Participate in conference calls. These are anticipated to be every 4-6 weeks.• Give frequent work updates• Use appropriate venues that are already available at no cost to carry out the research work• Expenses and rates must be declared in advance of starting and approved before travelOutside of this, the work can be completed remotely. 7. Do you have a preferred template structure for the Alpha product specification document? We expect the specialist to create a suitable report that will conform to GDS alpha phase requirements based on their experience. 8. In the opinion of the Authority, will the role be inside or outside of IR35? We believe the intermediate legislation does not apply to this engagement. We anticipate employing an organisation who will provide a suitable specialist. We anticipate the organisation to cover the relevant taxes of the individual specialist they appoint, cover the costs of materials, equipment and travel as part of the contract work. The organisation would ensure the specialist provided is suitably skilled to carry out the role and meets the need of the Authority. The worker will not perform a formal role within the structure of the Authority but will work as an external third party under their own liability. 9. You mention target user groups being "students, trainees and those undertaking continuing professional development". Do you have direct communication with them and/or good channels to reach these people as participants for the research? The Authority will provide relevant contacts to known stakeholders and if required, we will facilitate networks through which to engage with new stakeholders that are identified as part of this research. 10. Your brief highlights that you are looking for a user researcher (single person). Would you consider a small team of user researchers with a central point of contact? We will consider multiple researchers or supporting roles as the bidder deems relevant in fulfilling the work within the confines of the specification and contract.