Application Deadline
: Monday 13th October at 23:55pm
As a principal content designer, you'll work on challenging problems that require an understanding of complex services and systems and their wider context.
As part of your practice, you will understand how to extract and distil complex technical information from engineers and senior stakeholders into clear, actionable guidance and documentation.
You will be part of a project team and will work with colleagues to:
* Explore the problem space and understand the department's technical estate
* Develop and communicate technical writing standards, processes and guidance that promote consistency, security and efficiency
* Ensure services are accessible, inclusive and meet user needs
* Resolve discrepancies between design approach and organisational aims
* Promote the benefits of user-centred design (UCD)
You will be expected to lead and assure the work of other designers and provide guidance on best practice.
You will be expected to raise awareness of good content design across the Home Office and wider government design community.
What will you be doing?
Your main day-to-day responsibilities will be:
* Working with senior technical and process experts to get an in-depth understanding of relevant systems, platforms, data and technologies.
* Defining and embedding standards, guidance and processes for technical content, ensuring these meet user needs.
* Facilitating activities that help teams and stakeholders understand the problem space and assess the implication of design decisions.
* Establishing an effective UCD culture, convincing stakeholders and staff groups of the value of technical writing, and embedding UCD practices that include the creation and use of technical documentation.
* Assuring the quality of content design activities and outputs, while supporting the UCD leadership team to develop and embed best practice standards, guidelines and processes.
* Improve the efficiency of the design process and the consistency of services by developing reusable patterns, processes and templates.
* Managing other content designers, including setting goals, conducting performance reviews and mentoring junior members of staff.
Your skills for this role
You'll have a demonstrable passion for UCD, with the following skills or some experience in:
* Strategy and advocacy:
persuading stakeholders to adopt a user-centred, evidence-based approach by presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly, both verbally and in writing.
* Content design:
scoping, writing, editing and managing user-centred content for a range of platforms, tools and transactional services.
* Evidence-based design:
using data and research to design evidence-based solutions to complex problems, creating prototypes to share and test design proposals.
* Accessibility and inclusion:
making services accessible to the greatest range of people and needs.
* Standards and quality:
driving and embedding content standards, guidelines and processes that promote quality, consistency and best practice.
* Managing people and leading:
managing and mentoring high-performing content teams, providing them with guidance, training and constructive feedback within a supportive, collaborative and inclusive environment.
Why Join Us?
* Exceptional pension
: Employer contribution of 28.97%.
* Generous leave
: 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service), 8 public holidays, and 1 day for the King's Birthday.
* Flexible working
: Options include full-time, part-time, compressed hours, job sharing, and a hybrid model (minimum 60% on-site).
* Learning and development
: Access to training, technical accreditations, and funded qualifications (subject to approval).
* Recognition and inclusion
: A culture that champions diversity, enhanced parental leave schemes, annual bonuses, and recognition awards.
Learn more about our benefits: Benefits - Home Office Careers
Additional Information
This role requires
SC clearance
. To meet national security vetting requirements, you typically need to have been resident in the UK for at least three years. Unfortunately we cannot offer sponsorship.
Ready to lead, innovate, and make an impact?
Click "Apply"
to explore the full job description and salary details.