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Job Description
About us
At GCHQ, we unlock the complex world of data and communications to keep the UK and its citizens safe, both in the real world and online. Working closely with our British Intelligence partners in MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from threats including serious organised crime, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. A role in GCHQ means you’ll have varied and fascinating work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The role
Join us in either of these roles and you’ll work hand-in-hand with our mission teams, data scientists and developers to deliver user-centred products and services.
These products and services are designed to enable us to work smarter, achieve positive outcomes to every mission and align with the law. Our priority is to use UX to support our mission in ensuring the safety and security of the UK and UK citizens, and we achieve this by understanding the details of our users’ needs and through the innovative and effective design of every product we produce. Working in an agile environment, as a Lead User Experience Designer you’ll have a number of specific tasks, including the development of design concepts, the rapid creation of prototypes and specifications, and collaboration with developers to deliver the key capabilities our users require.
Our Lead User Researchers’ specific tasks involve working at the forefront of our efforts to deliver compelling insights to mission teams by following a user-centred research approach. Along with a small group of specialists you’ll spend time talking with analysts, developers and other users and build a deep appreciation of their needs and behaviours. User journeys, user definitions and insight presentations are some of the research outputs you’ll be expected to create. You’ll bring your considerable knowledge of analysis and synthesis and turn your research data into clear findings that inform decisions. Using your negotiating and communication skills, you’ll lead and advise Senior User Researchers as well as technical and non-technical customers. You’ll act as a bridge between customers and have an influence outside of your local area, a proven leader with the ability to develop the skills of others, you’ll utilise your knowledge of modern Research Methodology, collaborating with colleagues with varying levels of experience to deliver results.
Both roles will involve enormous variation in your day-to-day work, and revolve around meetings, Agile ceremonies and practitioner tasks. If you’re doing design work, then you’ll be creating wireframes and prototypes and conducting usability testing, while researchers will organise, plan and conduct interviews with users, and analyse data to develop actionable insights.
About you
To be a success as a Lead User Researcher, you’ll have experience of planning, organising and conducting user research and usability testing, a good understanding of Agile ways of working, and the ability to arrive at actionable insights through the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll establish best working practises to confidently evaluate customer and business requirement.
Lead User Experience Designers will have these skills too, but also possess the ability to design functional solutions in wireframes and prototypes, knowledge of mainstream design systems and established patterns, and experience of designing for compliance with accessibility standards.
Both roles will require strong problem-solving skills, the ability to handle complex environments and uncertainty or unexpected situations, and superb accuracy and attention to detail. When it comes to communication skills, we’ll expect you to be ready to give and receive feedback, and collaborate successfully with members of your team and colleagues in the wider organisation. A proactive and strategic thinker with effective communication skills you’re passionate about the self-development of yourself and others.
The research tools and techniques we use at GCHQ are varied and constantly growing all the time, as such we don’t expect one candidate to have had experience in all of these role related fields, however there are a number of other interests which would be useful to either role – these include coding, data science, Cloud technology, psychological safety, behavioural psychology, the latest developments in innovative technology, and the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion. You’ll be given the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in one or more of these specialisms
Please note that you should also be prepared to travel to UK sites at Cheltenham, Manchester and London, and occasional visits to overseas locations may also be required for staff in senior roles.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered (for more infomation, please click here ).
If successful, you will not normally be required to give up your non-British citizenship but, as a condition of your employment or secondment, MI5, SIS and GCHQ may impose restrictions on your postings, work travel and/or general use of that nationality. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. Each case will be carefully considered on its own facts. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the Applying section.
The closing date for this role is: 23:00 on Tuesday 9th May 2023.