40766 - Lead Interaction Designer

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Introduction

These are exciting times at MOJ Digital and Technology. We have a clear vision — to develop a digitally-enabled justice system that’s better and simpler for everyone. We’re looking for talented people who are passionate about this mission and ready for the challenge.

You’ll be welcomed into a thriving design community of 40+ designers who all work in multidisciplinary teams, alongside user researchers, business analysts, product owners, delivery managers and developers, to deliver world-class, user-centred services.

As well as doing great work, we’re creating a place that’s great to work in. We offer brilliant training opportunities, excellent kit and support from expert colleagues. On top of that, you’ll find flexible working, an inclusive culture and a place where your opinion is valued.

The role

We are growing our digital services and products at MoJ, especially within HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS). Our teams could be designing a sophisticated case management system for probation staff or designing tools that help people in prison prepare for life after release.

A lead interaction designer is an expert practitioner who influences and mentors others. You will support designers across teams to do their best work and ensure designs are consistently inclusive, accessible and easy to use.

Working with the other MoJ Design Leads, you’ll also be a part of advancing our approach across the department, helping to grow our design culture, and standardising and systemising the way we work to allow the design function to scale.

Responsibilities

As a Lead Interaction Designer, you will

People & community

• Lead the recruitment of a talented and diverse team of designers that meet the growing needs of HMPPS
• Support the professional development of designers through coaching, line management & career progression
• Lead Community of Practices that inspire designers to learn, share best practice and collaborate on strategic problems.

Design standards & operations

• Work with the Head of Design to set an ambitious vision for Design at MoJ, pushing the boundaries of what design can do to transform government
• Work with wider Lead Designers to develop and embed design standards that ensure all our design work is consistently inclusive, accessible and easy to use.
• Oversee the work of the MoJ Design Operations specialist. Specifically: the development of the MoJ Design System and ensuring all our designers have the guidance, tools and training they need to enable great design

Cross-government collaboration

• Be an active leader in the cross-government design community, sharing our work, learnings and developing best practice

Influence Digital Strategy

• Work closely with HMPPS Lead Service Designer & Service Owners to champion end-to-end design, influence strategy and ensure teams are supported and equipped to deliver against that strategy

Skills and experience

Essential:

• You have a strong grounding in user-centred design, and have experience working on multiple or highly complex services. You know how to give direction on which tools or methods to use and how to bring agile delivery teams along with you.
• You know what good end-to-end public services look like and how to design in an inclusive, accessible way. You can set design standards and coach others.
• Having worked as a designer, you can create high-quality, compelling design concepts and artefacts. You are a strong facilitator, and know how to get the best out of teams and stakeholders through workshops and co-creation. You are experienced in rapid paper and digital prototyping, and understand security, accessibility, version control and hosting.
• You have experience designing in government, at scale and in technical environments.
• You advocate for end to end service design at a strategic level, agnostic of teams, departments and organisations.
• You are passionate about growing talent and developing design culture. You have experience of managing designers and coordinating communities of practice.

Desirable:

• You can prototype in code to create dynamic prototypes using HTML, CSS and Javascript.
• You can interpret the needs of senior leaders and stakeholders. You use design thinking to help solve complex organisational challenges and influence strategy.

What to expect from our application process

Candidates MUST submit the following:

• a current and relevant CV, with a link to an up-to-date portfolio showing your relevant work (if you don’t have an online portfolio, please upload it to Google Drive and include a link to it in your CV)
• a Cover letter (1 page max) outlining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the essential skills and experience required

Through shortlisting applications and at interview we will be assessing how you meet the skills and experience outlined in the job description. We are especially looking for people who exhibit the below core civil service behaviours for this role:

• Leadership
• Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Developing self and others

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.

Note: due to the volume of applications we receive we are unable to provide feedback after the CV review (sift) stage.

Recruitment open evening (Remote): 19th January 2021 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Opportunity to learn about the type of work we do at MoJ and a chance to ask some of the design team members questions. Sign up to find out more
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ministry-of-justice-hmpps-design-recruitment-open-evening-tickets-133357663361

Salary and working arrangements

If successful, the salary we offer you will be within the advertised range, based on the skills & experience demonstrated at interview and based on MoJ policy and pay progression rules.

Benefits:

• Flexible working options — working from home or remotely, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours — we have people doing it and are happy to discuss further
• Lots of training and development opportunities
• A civil service pension with an average employer contribution of 22%
• 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Queens’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
• Great maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
• Bike loans and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
• Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers, and eye-care vouchers.

Things you need to know

Security and Immigration checks

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 security check.

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are not eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

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 equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Contact point for applicants – for further information regarding this role please contact MoJ D&T Recruitment.

Further information

All Civil Servants will adhere to the 'Civil Service code’, which outlines the Civil Service's core values, and the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants in upholding these values.

Note for current Civil Servants: If successful, the salary offered would normally be determined by applying the MoJ salary progression rules. If the appointment is on level transfer your substantive salary (excluding any allowances) will remain unchanged, unless it exceeds the maximum stated within the MoJ pay band, and unless your current salary is below the relevant MoJ grade minimum. If the appointment is on temporary or substantive promotion the salary will be increased by 10% or moved to the minimum of the relevant MoJ grade, whichever is the greater.

Note for non Civil servant applicants: This post is open to UK Nationals, Commonwealth Citizens, EEA Nationals of other member states and certain non-EEA family members. There must be no employment restrictions or time limit on your permitted stay in the UK.