A researcher for the Discovery phase of a Leadership Evaluation Framework digital marketplace

Tender description

Summary of the work Support the delivery of the Discovery phase of a digital marketplace product. Conduct user research. Develop paper and digital prototypes for research. Deliver and socialise Discovery findings. Deliver and socialise Alpha phase specifications. Specialist role User researcher Expected Contract Length Contract will end on 31 March 2018 or at the completion of the project. Whichever is first. Latest start date Monday 5 February 2018 Early Market Engagement A ministerial request has been put to the NHS Leadership Academy to fulfill recommendation 5 of the Rose review through accrediting leadership development interventions. Key stakeholders have been identified and a high level conceptual model has been designed for engaging intervention providers with commissioners in a marketplace. Who Speclialist Work With The specialist(s) will work amongst 15-20 subject matter experts, consultants and stakeholders from across the service who have designed a high level model for this project. The specialist(s) will work as part of the NHS Leadership Academy’s multidisciplinary Digital team and report to the Head of Digital. What Specialists Work On Gather stakeholder and user needs relating to the provision of a Leadership Endorsement Digital Marketplace in order to produce an alpha phase minimal viable product specification and support the paper through GDS approval processes. By; 1. Generate research questions that need answering to move us towards Alpha. 2. Articulate product hypothesise, based on gathered subject matter expert insights, that will support the research. 3. Define and / or develop paper or digital prototypes for research. 4. Conduct user research sessions and report on and socialise findings. (5. Iterate the above as required to arrive at an MVP product specification) Skills & Experience • Have experience in conducting GDS aligned research discovery. • Have experience designing prototypes for research. • Have experience writing Alpha phase specifications. Work Location No base is specified but the specialist(s) will need to work as needed with; - A stakeholder group who mainly meet in either Leeds or Birmingham - Consultants based in Leeds, Birmingham, London - Users, at the most appropriate location to conduct research - The Digital team based in Leeds Working Arrangments The specialist(s) will need to; Attend Leadership Evaluation framework meetings as they are called. These are usually Birmingham-based and occur approximately once a month. Participate in conference calls as they are convened. These are usually 2-3 times weekly. Give frequent work updates to the Head of Digital as the project requires. 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 by the head of service. No. of Specialists to Evaluate 5 Cultural Fit Criteria • Work as a multidisciplinary team with a variety of stakeholders • Takes responsibility for progressing their own work • Works inclusively with stakeholders and research participants • Challenges poor practice • Stands up for the needs of the user Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 55% Cultural fit 5% Price 40% Questions from Suppliers 1. “What is the rate for the role?” We’d like suppliers to advise of the rate they are wishing to bid at. Price forms part of the assessment criteria. 2. "Is this role is Outside IR35?" 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. 3. Are we responsible for the MVP product specification or will this be defined together with the team? The Specialist will use the Stakeholders to gather insights but will be the party responsible for producing the Specification. The Specification will not be written as a collaborative effort with the Digital Team. The Digital Team may be used in an advisory capacity. 4. "Do you have an approach for how you would like to deliver and socialise Discovery findings?" We expect the findings to;- Fulfil the needs of GDS and the processes outlined by GDS.- Fulfil the requirements of the Stakeholders /workstream leads involved in the project- Articulate and fulfil the user needs.We, therefore, expect the Specialist to be fully aware of GDS and their guidelines.We expect the findings to be presented as a written report. We expect the report to be shared at a Stakeholder/workstream leads meeting verbally. 5. "Please could you confirm the procurement timelines following the skills and experience submission? Will the contract start date be the 5th February 2018 as stated or is this likely to move?" Once we have appointed we will work with the Specialist to determine an appropriate start date. Due to the closing date and sifting of applications, we could not appoint before the 5th. 6. "Is there a maximum budget for the day rate?" 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. 7. "Please could you advise on the level of co-located working (if any) required to deliver this project?" As the role will gather intelligence from a range of stakeholders, attendance at part-day and day-long meetings and workshops around the country will be required to fulfil the role.There will be no requirement to write reports and do desktop research in a co-located environment.