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UK Health Security Agency
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About
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats, and providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. UKHSA will ensure the nation can respond quickly and at greater scale to deal with pandemics and future threats.
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Content Designer
Accepting applications until: 07-Jul-2024 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 07-Jul-2024 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- National
- Town
- Canary Wharf
- Postcode
- E14 4PU
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (FTA 1 year from start date)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £38,724 - £48,068 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO))
Specialty
- Main area
- Health Protection Operations
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
- Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
- Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
- Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
- Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
- Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as Content Designer within our User-Centred Design (UCD) Team.
The UCD Team are experts in design and delivery with a shared mission to support improvements to UKHSA services and products by better understanding users’ needs and experiences.
Our delivery squads take on a varied portfolio of work, with much of our input being focused on the discovery and alpha stages.
As a Content Designer, you’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary squad collaborating with teams across UKHSA. You’ll help to shape product and service design, to support UKHSA to solve problems, improve public health outcomes and address health inequalities. Alongside this, you’ll help to embed UCD practice and principles, supporting UKHSA to become a high performing
organisation.
Advert
Content designers make things easier for people to understand and use. They write clear, usable content that helps people do what they need to do, following style guides, content standards and accessibility requirements. They use data and user research to help make content decisions.
The Content Designer will be part of a high performing, multidisciplinary squad using agile methods to deliver user-centric and accessible products and services.
They will need to use the right design tools and techniques at the right times to create content for a product, service or single piece of content that stretches across digital and offline channels.
They will translate insights from user research into accessible, inclusive content design that meets the needs of users, especially those from underserved and underrepresented communities. They will design in the open and communicate design decisions within the project team and to stakeholders across government.
The Content Designer will need to develop and maintain stakeholder relationships and influence others. They will be required to think at a systems-level and absorb large amounts of information and use it to produce simple content strategies and designs.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As a content designer, you’ll:
- Create new content and iterate existing content. This could be on single pieces of content or across an end-to-end service journey on multiple channels.
- Use user research and analytics data to evaluate content. Use these findings and insights to make content recommendations and decisions.
- Apply content design best practice and principles across products and services.Write clear content that is user focussed and meets government and NHS style, design standards and accessibility requirements.
- Build relationships and work with stakeholders to ensure content is accurate and consistent. Support work to promote and advocate for the value of user-centred content design.
- Support and contribute to the UKHSA’s content design community of practice, helping to share knowledge, learning and best practice.
- Take part in user research, to help discover and analyse insights, identify common themes, pain points and user needs.
- Work collaboratively with other user-centred design professions in an agile team to help create quality user experiences.
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Essential Criteria
- Experience of working as a content designer, or a degree (BA, BDes, BHSc, MA) in a relevant subject and able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge.
- Experience of user-centred content design methods and best practice.
- Experience of writing and editing accessible and usable content using a style guide and design standards. Able to make complex language and processes easy to understand.
- Experience of using analytics data and user research insights to inform content design decisions.
- Able to build relationships with stakeholders. Able to collaborate and gain support for user-centred content design methods.
- Knowledge of agile ways of working, and some experience working with user researchers, service and interaction designers and other UCD professions.
- Able to use appropriate collaborative design tools and methods to explore problems and identify opportunities.
-
Knowledge of the barriers to access which affect engagement with content. Be able to demonstrate the importance of designing inclusive, equitable, accessible, and sustainable public services.
Desirable Criteria
- Proficiency in prototyping techniques.
- Experience of government digital service assessments.
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours/Ability/ Experience
Stage 1: Application and Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 750-word Statement of Suitability.
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
The CV and Statement of suitability will be marked together.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
Depending on how many applications we get, we might include a pre-sift on the application form or include an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a 60-minute remote video interview. This may include a presentation on your understanding of UCD and content design , to help us understand more about you and your skills and experience.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be :
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Feedback will only be provided if you attend the interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 15 July . Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location :
UKHSA operates 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 locations ( Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and London ). Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site.
Eligibility Criteria:
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Security Clearance Level Requirement:
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
-
life sentences
-
arson
-
sexual offences
-
hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.
If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available
Starting salary :
Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.
Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet - Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment .
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
I understand my application may be rejected or I may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
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
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. 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 (attached as a supporting document).
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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: [email protected] 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 here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
Any move to UKHSA 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/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
- Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday - Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
- We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
- We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates 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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.
To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.
An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.
This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:
Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
Person specification
CV and Statement Of Suitability
Essential criteria
- CV/Statement of Suitability
Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Documents
- Job Description (PDF, 648.3KB)
- Functional Requirements OH (PDF, 344.6KB)
- Job Hazard Profile (PDF, 856.3KB)
- Civil Service Recruitment Principles (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Civil Service Nationality Rules (PDF, 195.3KB)
- Application Form Guidance Notes (PDF, 77.3KB)
- Information Sheet - Starting salaries and benefits (PDF, 129.4KB)
- Information Sheet - Selection Process (PDF, 110.1KB)
- Working at UKHSA and your benefits (PDF, 219.2KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Claudia Miron
- Job title
- Resourcing Support Officer
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
For queries relating to your application please contact [email protected], for queries relating to the role please contact [email protected].
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