Senior User Researcher

Details

Reference number

471190

Salary

£57,204 - £68,558

Minimum National Salary: 57204

Maximum National Salary: 63953

Minimum London Salary : 62988

Maximum London Salary: 68558

Offers above the Band minimum are subject to our assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated at interview. Salaries over the Band minimum will be paid as a non-pensionable allowance.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

CO - Digital

Type of role

Digital

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Location

About the job

Benefits

Things you need to know

Apply and further information

Location

Bristol, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norwich, York

About the job

Job summary

The Cabinet Office is the corporate headquarters for the government, employing over 6,000 people in a variety of roles across the UK. In partnership with HM Treasury, we take the lead in certain critical policy areas and support the Prime Minister to ensure the effective running of government.

The Cabinet Office Digital directorate has a crucial role to play in modernising the Cabinet Office through digital transformation. The directorate has approximately 350 staff and is growing in order to meet the demands of the department, and to provide a wider and more mature range of digital, data, technology and security services.

As a Business Analyst you will play a crucial role in helping our teams analyse and understand business problems and opportunities bridging the gap between user needs and organisational goals. You will lead small to medium-sized projects independently while providing vital support on larger, more complex initiatives.

You will dive deep into how our business areas operate to identify areas for improvement and guide evidence-based decision-making.

Government Skills

Over your tenure in post, you will contribute to a range of policy objectives. Your focus initially will be on Government Skills, which was created to accelerate the quality of learning and development in government through better training, knowledge and networks for around 550,000 Civil Servants across Government, delivering government priorities now and for the future.

As part of its development, it has been announced that Government Skills will become the National School of Government and Public Services. This change enhances its profile and visibility across government, offering better public services for citizens and confirming the government’s commitment to our vision of delivering world-class training in areas such as AI, digital, and leadership. This is an exciting time of growth, with new positions being created to support the future operating model.

Digital, Data, Innovation and AI (DDI & AI) Team

Digital transformation, including AI, is both a defining challenge for our generation and a vital opportunity for the state. DDI & AI capabilities underpin much of the government’s wider transformation, and the DDI & AI team drives the strategic vision to embed these critical skills across government. We are a small, dynamic and fast-growing team with a remit to improve DDI&AI capability in non-digital specialists across all government departments. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the team that is delivering at pace on top government priorities.

Job description

As a Senior User Researcher, you will:

Lead the planning, design and delivery of user research using a range of research methods, selecting the appropriate method, both qualitative and quantitative across all phases of the delivery lifecycle, to understand user needs and behaviours and align with project goals.

Carry out user research activities from recruiting participants, preparing discussion guides, and moderating research sessions.

Analyse and synthesise research data to deliver insights and present clear, actionable findings that colleagues can understand and use.

Effectively communicate user research findings to your team and the wider organisation to influence decision-making.

Communicate and advocate user-centred design principles and ways of working with stakeholders.

Support the development of accessible services and content by ensuring that participants with access needs are included in research.

Advocate for inclusive research principles, planning and conducting research that considers the diversity of users

Manage suppliers to support delivery of user research activities (e.g., contractors, user research agencies, participant recruitment services), and navigate requisite internal financial and commercial approvals.

Person specification

It is essential that you have:

Agile research practices: Proven ability to adapt research strategies to complex agile environments, effectively influencing team priorities and advocating for agile working.

Analysis and synthesis: Strong capability in applying, advising on, and assuring best practice across a range of analysis methods, with a track record of successfully engaging wider colleagues in the synthesis process.

Inclusive research: Demonstrated commitment to championing inclusive practices and designing accessible services by effectively engaging a highly diverse range of users.

Research management, leadership and assurance: Adept at evaluating research quality against professional standards and providing constructive leadership and feedback to elevate team practice.

Stakeholder relationship management: Highly skilled in building long-term strategic relationships, implementing effective communication strategies, and influencing stakeholders to resolve complex issues.

User research methods: Extensive experience in applying and advising on a wide range of user research methodologies to tackle complex user journeys and challenging needs.

User-centred practice and advocacy: Highly skilled in championing user-centred approaches, aligning research plans with strategic priorities, and successfully advocating for the user amongst non-specialist teams and wider stakeholders.

This role is aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework. You can view the full Senior User Researcher role definition here.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Making Effective Decisions

Changing and Improving

Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Agile research practices

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,204, Cabinet Office contributes £16,571 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .

Learning and development tailored to your role.

An environment with flexible working options.

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.

A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

During the application process you will be asked of the following;

Provide details of. your CV

Answer Civil Service Behaviour questions

Provide a Statement of Suitability (max:750 words)

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

In your Statement of Suitability, using the behaviours and technical skills provided as a guide, please explain how your skills align to this role.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.

Selection process

During the selection process, you will be assessed on the following:

Behaviours

Technical skills

Presentation (See below regarding the presentation)

Presentation

The candidate will be asked to deliver a short five minute presentation summarising a recent project where they utilised their user research expertise. This will be followed by up to five minutes of questions from the panel. The candidate may present prepared material such as a slide deck if they wish. The presentation will be evaluated by the panel on the basis of both content and delivery.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – 03/08/2026

Expected interview date/s – 10/08/2026

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

See our vetting charter .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals

nationals of the Republic of Ireland

nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : CO Digital Recruitment Team

Email : codigitalrecruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.