User Experience Consultant - London

Businesslink.gov.uk is looking for a User Experience Consultant to assist in the delivery of developments to our Businesslink.gov.uk website. Permanent, salary range 35-40k depending upon experience, based near London Bridge, London.

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.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To promote best practice in website usability, accessibility, and information architecture (IA) for all businesslink.gov.uk projects.The role operates both at a strategic and hands on level.

WHAT THE ROLE INVOLVES
- Information architecture: Review wireframes that others have produced for consistency with the information architecture (IA) of the site. In liaison with project teams develop IA solutions and working in a user centered way amend these solutions as a result of usability testing recommendations.

- Usability: Review web development wireframes for usability issues and advise on usability best practice. Advise project teams on the best type of user-centered design methods to carry out on particular projects, and how to carry them out. Carry out usability testing if required.

- Accessibility: Act as the champion of accessibility issues within the programme. Review wireframes and provide advice on how to ensure designs are accessible. Work with suppliers to implement best practice development processes regarding accessibility, carried out during the development of technical additions to the website.

- General: Work with others in the Customer Insight team to deliver the team strategy and aims. Where necessary initiate and act as business owner for projects related to usability, IA and accessibility.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Experience
- A solid user experience focus, working on large complex websites.
- Experience in understanding accessibility issues from a customer perspective and demonstrated experience in successfully addressing these issues in the online environment.

Knowledge
- An excellent understanding of usability principles and techniques and user centred design.
- The position is not a technical role but must have a deep understanding of technical issues relating to website accessibility.
- Practical knowledge of web interface technologies with experience of coding with HTML and CSS.
- Proficiency in the use of visualising software, for example Visio or Photoshop.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) particularly Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and how they relate to accessibility best practise on actual websites.

Skills
- Ability to create information architecture wireframes using visualizing programs such as Visio or Photoshop.

COMPETENCIES
- Flexible organisation and planning
- Delivers work on deadline, an organised approach with excellent prioritising skills.
- A good team player with an ability to work collaboratively.
- 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.
- Excellent communication skills, ability to clearly explain technical and usability issues internally and externally and to create clear documentation.
- An ability to liaise with teams across different projects and to successfully balance the needs and preferences of different stakeholders.
- Uses effective negotiating strategies & skills to establish and manage relationships.
- A strong interest and enthusiasm for website accessibility, IA and usability.

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

Gavin Atkinson, Head of Customer Insight
Email: Gavin.Atkinson@businesslink.gov.uk

Please mention in the email where you saw the advert.

Associated Link: businesslink.gov.uk

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