Content Designer

Job summary

As a content designer, you’ll work as part of the GOV.UK team collaborating with teams across UKHSA. Content designers make things easier for people to understand and use. They are practitioners who can take a high-level view of how a user’s content journey maps to government processes.

You will develop and publish content, working closely with subject matter experts including scientists and senior policy leads. This will include commissioning, writing, editing and publishing using Whitehall Publisher content management system. You will be expected to write and edit following a style guide, and to get the correct approvals for content.

During a public health incident (where UKHSA is often the primary responding agency) you will be expected to work at pace if required, maintaining content standards in a potentially intensive publishing environment.

Working for your 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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

You will be expected to lead complex content design projects end-to end, managing the quality and delivery timelines. You will train new team members and devolved editors across UKHSA, be responsible for developments on our Jira Service Desk platform and manage user-research projects. The post holder will take responsibility for maintaining and improving standards and be one of the organisation’s expert leads on scientific and health communication, including the use of plain English and the application of statutory accessibility guidance. They will be expected to train and advise junior colleagues and external stakeholders where required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Editorial production

• develop content for UKHSA’s digital channels, such as GOV.UK and ensure content design best practice and principles are applied
• develop user needs, review existing content against them, identify content gaps and overlaps, and shape and develop content to meet user needs
• scope, commission, write, edit and publish content to style, using Whitehall Publisher content management system
• draw on user research and analytics to develop content that meets user needs
• coach UKHSA colleagues so they can write in plain English
• manage relationships with subject matter experts and other stakeholders to make sure content is accurate and meets both business requirements and user needs
• monitor the performance of content and tools, and work with the rest of the publishing team to improve them
• help to embed a digital culture across UKHSA, with a focus on user needs and delivering services that meet the Digital by Default Service Standard
• manage complex collaborative editorial and digital projects
• develop and implement appropriate publishing policies
• maintain effective relations with senior managers and staff within the organisation and with the appropriate external stakeholders
• develop and uphold the UKHSA editorial house style in line with the GDS Style Guide
• to use workflow management systems, in particular Jira

Resource management

• to ensure colleagues and staff across the wider agency have prompt access to editorial advice and support whenever it is needed

Other

• the above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate
• the job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Proven experience of writing for the web, with ability of creating content that is accessible and usable and meets organisational objectives
• experience of user-centred content design methods, best practice and appropriate tooling
• Knowledge of Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 and how to make content compliant
• Experience of writing and editing accessible and usable content using a style guide and design standards, using feedback, research and analytics to make strategic content decisions
• Using content management systems and basic image editing
• Experience in using metrics and user feedback to define and refine content
• Experience of managing stakeholder relationships and influencing others to gain support for user-centred standards and ways of working

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in advising colleagues on digital projects
• Knowledge of migrating volume content, including rebranding and/or archiving legacy content
• Knowledge of health protection issues, such as infectious diseases
• Working knowledge of prototyping tools (for example, Figma)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,310, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,416 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviour and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (7) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,000 word supporting statemen