We are looking for a skilled and motivated User Researcher who will support teams in the design of end-to-end services that are user-centred and evidence-based. You will collaborate with teams across the program including operations, statistics, technology, policy, communications, finance, procurement and commercial. A significant part of the role will also be collaborating with other census taking offices in the rest of the United Kingdom. This is an exciting opportunity to undertake research that will support teams to design services for every household in Scotland.
User researchers undertake research that supports teams to design policy and services. So that we can design services that work well for people and achieve policy intent. You will work with the team to develop a shared understanding of the people who use the service and what they need. You will plan, design, and undertake user research activities. You will contribute to the design of inclusive and accessible services. A User Researcher is a confident and competent researcher who can work independently in a team to plan and carry out user research activities. A relevant degree and experience in a role titled ‘user researcher’ isn’t a requirement. What’s important is understanding how a service works to meet people’s needs.
At this role level, you will:
Be responsible for planning and carrying out research activities on small research projects
Contribute to user research ethics documentation
work alongside multidisciplinary experts
Contribute to the development of designs by advocating for user’s needs
raise awareness of how to make services accessible and inclusive
Recognise when to ask for further guidance and support
engage with and contribute to the Scottish Government user research community of practice
You should note that Scotland’s Census is a time limited project which will run until 2032 depending on the role Staff who are on permanent contracts will remain with NRS after this time whilst a new, suitable role is found Please contact the line manager named in this advert if you have any further questions.
Analysis and synthesis: Understand different research analysis and synthesis methods and how to apply them correctly.Undertake analysis of small projects with supervision as needed, to identify themes and produce clear findings.Involve your team in analysis and synthesis as appropriate.Present and document findings appropriately so that colleagues can understand and use them.
Inclusive research :Explain to others in detail why government services need to be usable and accessible for everyone and describe the diversity of people who use government services.Work with colleagues to identify and include a diverse range of users in appropriate user research activity to help shape the service design, especially those who face the most barriers or who aren’t currently using the service. Understand how user research supports the development of an equitable service.Understand the importance of assisted digital and champion the needs of people who are unable to use digital services.
User research methods :Plan and conduct a user research project with support as needed. Understand when to use different user research methods and how to apply them correctly. Effectively manage the participation of teams, stakeholders, and users in research activities.
Agile research practices: Design and conduct user research to ensure that findings can be embedded into an agile workflow. Use an iterative and flexible approach to research design to enable rapid delivery. Work effectively with the different roles in a multidisciplinary digital team to plan and do user research.
Define the scope and purpose for the user research to align to project goals: Outline user research activities to a clearly defined scope and purpose to align to project goals. Grow your knowledge of good practice standards for user research. Adhere to legal and ethical research standards and processes and contribute to the creation of relevant documentation. Improve your practice through reflection and feedback. Contribute to user research strategies and processes, balancing business objectives and needs of users. Engage with and contribute to the Scottish Government user research community of practice.
Stakeholder relationship management : Identify important stakeholders and communicate with them clearly and regularly. Tailor communication to stakeholders' needs and work with them to build relationships, while also meeting user needs. Build and reach consensus. Work to improve stakeholder relationships, using evidence to explain decisions made.
User-centred practice and advocacy: Advocate for the user by sharing research insights on user needs and changing user behaviour with your team. Work with the team to understand constraints and risks and can adapt the design of your user research to work within these constraints. Understand the internet and the range of available technology choices, including assistive technology. Appraise, design and implement effective methods and tools that best suit the aims of the research.
Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on, you should provide evidence of how you meet these in your statement. For this opportunity, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:
Technical Skills:
Analysis and synthesis – working
Agile research practices - working
Inclusive research - working
Stakeholder relationship management - working
User research methods - working
Further information about these skills can be found here: User researcher - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
Experience:
Your experience designing and executing user research to good standards and aligned to project goals means you can support evidenced based decision making in a project.
Your experience identifying and working with stakeholders to manage consensus means that you can communicate clearly and deliver against business and user needs.
Behaviours:
Changing & Improving - Level 3
Working Together - Level 3
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here:Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see ourcandidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered
Skilled worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require skilled worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
About us
National Records of Scotland (NRS) is Scotland’s record keeper. Our purpose is to collect, preserve and produce information about Scotland's people and history and make it available to inform current and future generations. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. NRS is a Non-Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government & and our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
The devolved government for Scotland is responsible for matters that are devolved from Westminster. Areas of responsibility include the economy, health, education, justice, rural affairs, environment, and transport.
