About this role
Job summary
The role sits within the UKHSA's core User-Centred Design (UCD) team, which is part of the Readiness and Surge division. Readiness and Surge works across UKHSA and sets the strategic direction for UKHSA's readiness to respond to all threats and hazards. We focus on Agency capability, putting external stakeholder and customer needs at the centre of designs for the future. We identify opportunities to improve public health outcomes through better user experiences.
The team are responsible for:
Embedding UCD approaches into UKHSA ways of working UCD expertise in project delivery Ensuring user needs are understood and designed for, advocating for all users, to achieve equitable outcomes Ensuring our products are accessible and developed to the Government Service Standard and use appropriate style guides and patterns Leading the UKHSA-wide UCD community of practice to support organisational and in-profession development Standards for UCD professionals
Main duties of the job
As a content designer, you'll work as part of a multidisciplinary squad collaborating with teams across UKHSA. Content designers make things easier for people to understand and use. They are practitioners who can take a high-level view of how a user's content journey maps to government processes. They write clear, usable content for transactional and information services and assure the quality of others' work. They use data and user research to make content decisions. The content designer will be responsible for assuring content quality and best practice. Together with other UCD professions, you'll ensure quality, innovation, and creativity in how we approach all aspects of design and how we bring concepts to life for stakeholders to effect change. You'll embody inclusive behaviours. You'll have a working knowledge of the importance of inclusive design practices, taking pride in ensuring your design work is representative of a wide range of people and communities. You'll be an active part of the UCD community sharing insights and practices within the community and across the organisation. This role is aligned to Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework - content designer. Please note, the above is not exhaustive.
About us
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job description Job responsibilities
As a content designer, youll:
Lead on the creation and iteration of content for projects Ensure content design best practice and principles are applied within your project Develop and contribute to content strategies based on research and data, to support service transformation balancing user needs with business, operational and technical requirements Use collaborative design tools and techniques to explore problems and opportunities, and create content assets to test and iterate ideas and solutions Build relationships and work closely with stakeholders demonstrating the value of user-centred content design within the organisation and beyond Advocate for the needs of users to be embedded within your project Work with user researchers and designers to discover and analyse insights to identify common themes, pain points and user needs Support the review the work of others to ensure it is user focused, accurate, and meets government and NHS style, design standards and accessibility requirements Make actionable recommendations based on insights and communicate these to stakeholders clearly and confidently Actively contribute to the UKHSAs community of practice, advocate for content design and support the creation of the right environment and processes to establish the profession within UKHSA Essential role criteria:
To be considered for this role, youll need:
Experience of user-centred content design methods, best practice and appropriate tooling to explore problems and opportunities within complex organisations Experience of writing and editing accessible and usable content using a style guide and design standards, using data and evidence to make strategic content decisions Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team including user researchers, to discover user needs, map and define user journeys and create quality user experiences Experience of developing content strategies to plan, create, deliver, measure and manage content, to meet user needs and business objectives Experience of managing stakeholder relationships and influencing others to gain support for user-centred standards, strategies, and ways of working To understand different prototyping techniques and how to use them To be able to demonstrate the importance of designing inclusive, equitable, accessible and sustainable public services Desirable role criteria:
You may also have experience of:
Structuring and managing content across its lifecycle, using content management systems and information architecture to help users find what they need Government service assessments Working in an agile environment Selection Process Details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency Based
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 750 word supporting statement. Do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.Vplease beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications,we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.
Shortlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:
Experience of writing and editing accessible and usable content using a style guide and design standards, using data and evidence to make strategic content decisions Desirable criteria may be usedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Competency Based
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
This will include an 8 minute presentation on your understanding of user-centred design and content design, to help us understand more about you and your skills and experience.
Youll be expected to have the following technical skills at working level:
Design communication Designing for everyone Evidence-based design Iterative Design Interview dates are yet to be confirmed
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location:
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs.
We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).
Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basicdisclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
Eligibility Criteria
This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
£41,983- £48,128 (National) £44,148- £50,121 (Outer London) £46,310- £52,113 (Inner London)
Person Specification
Application & Supporting Statement Essential
Application & Supporting Statement
Presentation Essential
Presentation Technical Questions
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency
Address Core HQ
Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)
E14 4PU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)