Job Description

Details

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Reference number

424485
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Salary

60,000 - 60,000
Circa
GBP
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Job grade

Other###

Contract type

Permanent###

Business area

MAPS - Technology & Change###

Type of role

Market Research

Social Research###

Working pattern

Flexible working###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Bedford

About the job

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Job summary

Senior User Researcher

c.60,000 per annum

Bedford

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Are you a seasoned User Researcher driven by curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to inclusive design? Join us at MaPS, where you'll lead transformative research that shapes digital experiences for millions. From uncovering complex user needs--including those shaped by access requirements and protected characteristics--to championing user-centred design across cross-functional teams, your work will directly influence how we help people manage their money today and for the future..

You'll collaborate with designers, analysts, policy experts, and delivery partners to ensure our services are not only -informed, but also deeply human-centred, and GDS compliant. If you're ready to develop and improve inclusive services, challenge assumptions, and make research a strategic force for good, we want to hear from you.

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Job description

Role Overview

The Senior User Researcher will report directly to Lead User Researcher. Expectations for the role are aligned to the DDAT capability framework, User researcher - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework.



In this role, you will be responsible for:

Key Responsibilities:

Lead collaborative research programmes for complex projects to uncover user needs. Support GDS service assessments Conduct workshops, debriefs, group note-taking, and results presentations. Utilise analytics, customer feedback, and other data sources to inform research priorities and approaches. Evolve and champion user-centred design practices within the organisation. Work within cross-functional teams to challenge assumptions and ensure user needs are met through coherent propositions, content, and designs. Advise and educate colleagues across all levels in areas of special expertise. Communicate with designers and researchers on other programmes to avoid duplication, maximise learning, and ensure consistency across digital experiences. Assist internal colleagues and external partners in defining and evolving agile methodologies. Identify and mitigate potential negative impacts of research activities on users, particularly those who are vulnerable or experience exclusion. Collaborate with Business Analysts, Policy and Proposition Managers, and product owners to align business needs with research plans. Define user needs, use cases, personas, customer profiles, and scenarios as required. Create and disseminate research reports, presentations, and other artefacts to communicate research outcomes to diverse audiences. ###

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience.

To excel in this role, you will need to demonstrate:



Experience in leading research design, production and analysis to inform user-centred design in a delivery-focussed environment. Ability to lead and support others in utilising a wide range of qualitative, quantitative, and observational methodologies, and experience of learning and adopting new methodologies. Strong knowledge of GDS service standards and assessments. Experience researching diverse audiences using inclusive, ethical approaches to deliver accessible and inclusive services. Expertise in managing, analysing, and reporting on usability testing and qualitative discovery research. Ability to communicate research findings compellingly to drive user-centred decision-making. Experience of proactive stakeholder management and problem solving within an agile environment.

Benefits

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About Us

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.


At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values - caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We're not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:


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Caring

We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
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Connecting

We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
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Transforming

We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive Working Environment

By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to "bring their whole selves to work."


Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women's health, men's health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

+ Generous Annual Leave - 30 days plus Bank Holidays
+ Pension scheme - contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
+ Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
+ Cycle to work Scheme
+ Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
+ Life assurance scheme
+ Give as you earn scheme
+ Employee assistance programme (EAP)
+ PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
+ Enhanced family and sick pay
+ Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
+ Recognition Scheme
+ Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible Working

At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Career Development

In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.

Reserve List

If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Application Process

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Step 1: Submit Your Application

Open: 22nd August , Deadline: 31st August

To apply, please submit the following two documents:

Your most up-to-date CV A covering letter:
Please provide a cover letter (up to 500 words) explaining your motivation for the role and why you believe you are a strong fit for the position.

Important: Both documents are required to progress to the next stage. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Step 2: Telephone Interview

Between 23rd August - 01st September

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a telephone interview with one of our recruiters. This is an opportunity to:

Discuss your experience in more detail Learn more about the role and our organisation Ask any questions you may have

Step 3: Final Stage Interview

Hosted on the 10th and 11th September

Successful candidates from the telephone interview will be invited to a remote final interview via Microsoft Teams. This stage will include:

Task: Analyse a dataset, provide a clear interpretation of its findings, and explain how these insights could inform or support a research project. A series of competency-based interview questions

Job Reference:

MaPS00950

Close Date:

31/08/2025



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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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
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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.###

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

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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

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Job contact :

Name : Sabreena Email : sabreena.chowdhury@reed.com
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Recruitment team

* Email : sabreena.chowdhury@reed.com