User Experience Consultant - London

User Experience Consultant

•Fixed term contract until March 2008
•Good market rate depending upon experience
•The post is based near Victoria, London

Businesslink.gov.uk is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic User Experience Consultant to assist in the delivery of usable developments to our award winning website. Businesslink.gov.uk works at the heart of government to provide help, advice and practical tools for UK businesses.

Working for Serco to deliver businesslink.gov.uk Serco is an international service company which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service ethos. Serco supports governments, agencies and companies who seek a trusted partner with a solid track-record of providing assured service excellence. Our people offer operational, management and consulting expertise in the aerospace, defence, education, health, home affairs, local government, science, technology, transport and the commercial sectors. Serco delivers the online channel for the HM Revenue and Customs, www.businesslink.gov.uk offering practical advice for business.

Serco is an equal opportunities employer.
This role reports to the User Experience Manager.

ROLE AND CONTEXT

Purpose
To promote the accessibility and usability of all businesslink.gov.uk projects.

Context
The businesslink.gov.uk portal and other program developments if necessary. The role operates both at a strategic and hands on level.

NEED TO DO

Usability:
- Review web development wireframes for usability issues and advise on usability best practice.
- Advise project teams on the best type of usability testing to carry out on particular projects.
- Set usability objectives for allocated projects, organise usability testing to be carried out by external agencies and oversee implementation of recommendations, keep records of usability issues.
- Carry out usability testing if required.
- Develop ways of assessing and collating the impact of usability testing on the overall cost and quality of program delivery.

Accessibility:
- Build effective accessibility processes and consensus on standards.
- Work with suppliers to implement best practice development processes regarding accessibility.
- Develop methods for regular automatic and manual website accessibility testing.
- Set accessibility objectives in liaison with project teams. Manage testing and the implementation of recommendations. Keep records of issues.
- Develop and update existing accessibility policy and guidelines.

General:
- Work with others in the technology group to develop a technical strategy for businesslink.gov.uk.
- Run projects related to usability and accessibility, and assist on other IA, usability or accessibility projects.

NEED TO KNOW

Experience
- Solid experience working on websites with demonstrable experience of working on large complex sites.

Knowledge
- An excellent understanding of usability principles and techniques and user centric design
- Practical knowledge of web interface technologies with working experience of HTML and CSS.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) particularly Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

Skills
- An organised approach with excellent prioritising skills.
- Excellent communication skills, ability to clearly explain technical and usability issues internally and externally. An ability to liaise with teams across different projects
- An ability to create and develop work processes and conventions to promote the implementation of accessibility.
- A good team player with an ability to work collaboratively
- A strong interest and enthusiasm for website usability and accessibility

COMPETENCIES
•Flexible Organisation and Planning
•Delivers work on deadline
•Accurately plans and prioritises, able to juggle priorities and tasks effectively.
•Ability to work well in cooperation with other team members

Analysis and decision making
•Ability to make recommendations resulting from the research and filtering of varied and detailed information.
•Ability to quickly weigh up pros and cons in order to advise others upon a recommended course of action.

Communication and persuasion
•Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing and translate technical information into language understood by all.
•Can argue points cogently and effectively.
•Successfully balances the needs and preferences of different stakeholders
•Uses effective negotiating strategies & skills to establish and manage relationships

HOW TO APPLY
Please send your CV with a covering letter, explaining why you would be suitable for the role to:

Natalie Bone, User Experience Manager
Email: Natalie.Bone@businesslink.gov.uk

Please mention in the email where you saw the advert.

Associated Link: The Businesslink.gov.uk website

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