User Researcher

Job summary

We’re looking for a user researcher who can be a vocal advocate for user needs.

The Home Office keeps our UK citizens safe and our country secure. We play a fundamental role in the security and economic prosperity of the UK.

You will work in an agile, multi-disciplinary team in the Migration, Borders and Technology Portfolio (MBTP) or Police and Public Protection Portfolio (PPPT). Your research will make a lasting impact on our user-centred products and services.

Some of the projects you could work on include:

• Building and improving systems for people and goods that cross the UK border and the process of applying for asylum
• Building and improving systems and tools for internal staff (such as caseworkers, Border Force officers, Immigration Enforcement officers)
• Continuously improving products and services for visas, passports and registration of marriages, births and deaths
• Replacing the register for violent and sexual offenders, supporting police, probation services, and partner agencies to manage offenders who present a risk to the public after release from custody. This high-profile role offers an exceptional opportunity to navigate complex stakeholder needs. (For this role you will need to obtain SC AND NPPV3 security clearance)

As a user researcher, you will plan, design, and carry out research activities to inform the design of government services. You will help teams to gain a deeper understanding of the people that use them.

You will develop research plans and approaches for a given service. This includes a range of research methods, including usability testing, contextual interviews, observations, and rapid analysis that involves the wider team whenever possible.

You’ll use your communication skills to deliver insights from research in impactful ways to delivery teams and stakeholders to drive change and improve government services.

You can learn more about design and research in the Home Office on our blog: Making ethics part of the way we design products and services – Home Office Digital, Data and Technology

We have a thriving user-centred design (UCD) community. If you want to work with us to ensure that our services are easier and simpler to use, apply now.

Job description

Your main day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Planning, designing and conducting user research and usability testing to understand user needs and behaviours, and support the design and development of government services
• Sorting, categorizing, and transforming raw research data into valuable information for complex projects
• Effectively communicating user research findings to your team and the wider organisation to influence decision-making
• Clearly communicating the benefits of UCD principles and ways of working with stakeholders
• Supporting the development of accessible services by ensuring that participants with access needs are included in all research
• Working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary delivery team, including designers and product owners, to define research questions, plan research approach and prioritise findings
• Managing logistics of research sessions, including planning and scheduling sessions and recruiting participants

Person specification

UK residency and security requirements - You need to have lived in the UK for the past 5 years.

Essential skills

You will be assessed against the following skills and experience during the selection process:

• User research: understanding and applying a range of user research methods (including but not limited to usability testing, interviews, and contextual research) correctly for different life cycle phases
• Communicate, persuade and advocate: clearly articulating to stakeholders the benefits of taking a user-centred approach, based on evidence
• Research ethics: applying ethical research standards and practices to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of participants and researchers
• Accessibility and inclusion: conducting research with diverse audiences to deliver accessible and inclusive digital services
• Analysis and synthesis: analysing and synthesising research data, communicating clear research findings to inform decisions
• Collaboration: participating and facilitating group work, and actively seeking feedback on your work

Technical skills

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

• User research
• Communicate, persuade and advocate:
• Research ethics
• Accessibility and inclusion
• Analysis and synthesis
• Collaboration

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,062, Home Office contributes £13,344 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Why work for us...

• A highly competitive pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment rising 1 day per year up to 30 days, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the King’s Birthday.
• Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that is right for you including;
• Full time, part-time, flexi time, compressed hours and job sharing.
• A hybrid working model 60% of your hours in the office and 40% from home.
• Training and development opportunities tailored to your role, including access to technical and professional accreditations.
• A capability allowance reviewed annually.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• Enhanced parental leave schemes.
• Annual performance based bonus and recognition awards.

This link is to a short guide to employee benefits: Benefits - Home Office Careers

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

Selection process details

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and 750 word personal statement. Both the CV and personal statement will be marked and should include all relevant experience that relates to the essential criteria listed in the advert and role description. Use STAR format in your examples and consider tips on how to write your personal statement.

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

Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender.

(Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected)

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism, copying, and generating of examples/ answers from internet sources including Artificial Intelligence. If detected, the application will be withdrawn from the process.

Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving civil servants. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all civil servants.

Sift Stage

The sift will be held on the CV and Personal Statement. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements.

In the event of a high number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the lead Essential Criteria-- (User Research). Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.

Interview Stage

Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend an interview. The interview will assess your technical skills (SFIA Framework) and experience using technical and experience based questions.

At the beginning of the interview, you will be required to deliver a presentation. The presentation topic will be provided to you at least 48 hours before your interview.

If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks. Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.

Sift and interview dates

Sift will be conducted from 20/1/26 - 27/1/26.

Interviews will be held week commencing 10th of February 2026.

Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Further Information

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We particularly encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Applicants can raise any queries to the email address at the bottom of the advert.

Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.

If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.

Reserve list

A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

UK residency and security requirements

Please note that this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years.

However, in exceptional circumstances security clearance applications for candidates who have been present in the UK for at least 3 of last 5 years may be considered. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License.

Capability Allowance

The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a Digital Capability-Based Allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the attached candidate pack for more information.

The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.

For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply.

The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a Digital Capability-Based Allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the Home Office Pay Framework Allowance Careers page for more information.

The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.

For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. The pay ranges for this role are National: £46,062 and London: £50,182. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply.

Job offers to this post are made on the basis of merit. We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same competencies and essential skills.

Working at the Home Office

Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.

We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.

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.

For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.

Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.

Transfer Terms: Voluntary.

If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.

Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.

Any move to the Home 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

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

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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 are deaf, a language service professional

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

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 (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : AC Recruitment
• Email : ACRecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

2025-11-01 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)Home Office Candidate_information_v15_DECEMBER_2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 429kB)