Content Designer

Job summary

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the largest producer of official statistics in the UK. We produce the numbers that matter – from economic data like the employment rate and size of the economy to population figures, migration statistics and measurements of our wellbeing.

We’re looking for content designers to join the Publishing Service, part of the Communications and Digital Publishing Directorate. We are the conduit for everything published on the ONS website – preparing statistical releases for publication, managing content changes and updates to different areas of the website and ensuring that everything we do meets user needs, house style and publishing standards. The team publishes high-profile content daily.

If you’re a graduate in a relevant field or have experience proofreading, editing and publishing content, this could be the perfect opportunity to progress your career. The ideal candidate will have a passion for proof-reading and building web pages, a keen eye for detail, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Job description

As a content designer at the ONS, you will contribute to the work of the Publishing Service. You will proofread a wide range of content and publish it to the ONS website using our content management system (CMS).

You will work with statistical teams to ensure that their content meets user needs and is published on time, in line with our house style, quality and accessibility standards.

You will provide support throughout the publishing process and build relationships with colleagues across the organisation.

You will contribute to the development and delivery of our training and guidance. You may also complete content and process improvement tasks, under the direction of more senior colleagues, using evidence where appropriate.

Responsibilities

Preparing content for the website is the main focus of the role. Your main responsibilities will be:

• Proofreading statistical articles and other content
• Applying content and accessibility standards
• Building website content in the Content Management System (CMS).

Other responsibilities include:

• Developing strong relationships with internal stakeholders and collaborating with them to ensure all content is of a high quality and meets user needs
• Providing guidance on the publishing process and ensuring that all statistical content is delivered in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics
• Responding to queries from colleagues across the organisation through a shared inbox
• Supporting the development and delivery of training and guidance
• Working independently, with the direction of senior colleagues, to complete content and process improvement tasks, using evidence where appropriate.

As part of the Publishing service, when preparing publications, you will provide support to internal stakeholders within Service Level agreement (SLA) hours which are between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Occasionally, you will also be expected to provide late cover until 6.00pm or early publication cover from 6.45am.

Please note:

• Due to the nature of the roles we are able to accept applications from those looking to work part time, but a minimum of 30 hours/4 days per week.
• Content designer roles at the ONS are referred to as junior content designer in the Government Digital and Data Framework. You can learn more about the content designer roles in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework on the Gov.uk website

Person specification

Essential criteria:

Content management and architecture - Working

You can:

• Document information that enables effective content life cycle management, for example, metadata
• Organise complex information to support understanding and navigation using existing standards and systems for structure and hierarchy
• Use tools to manage and publish content, for example, content management systems

Design communication - Working

You can:

• Clearly explain problems and ideas to others
• Clearly explain decisions to others using appropriate tools and methods

Designing for everyone - Awareness

You can:

• Explain the importance of making government content and services inclusive, accessible and environmentally sustainable, and the value of standards and regulations
• Explain different access needs that users can have, and ways to meet them
• Ensure your work meets appropriate standards and guidance, for example, house style and accessibility regulations, with support

Designing strategically - Awareness

You can:

• Explain the importance of aligning to the strategy of an organisation
• Describe how your work aligns to the wider goals and vision of your team
• Explain the value of using patterns and components when designing content and services

Designing together - Awareness

You can:

• Explain different techniques for bringing together perspectives from multiple people
• Explain the importance of constructive feedback in your work

Evidence based design- Awareness

You can:

• Explain how quantitative and qualitative evidence inform user-centred design
• Frame your ideas as proposals to be tested
• Identify common sources and types of data that inform user-centred design, such as web analytics and user interviews

Iterative design - Awareness

You can:

• Describe the basics of iterative design principles, such as agile
• Explain how iteration supports user-centred design
• Describe ways to test ideas and gather feedback, and when to use them
• Create or contribute to simple mock-ups or drafts, using existing design patterns and components, with support

Leading design - Awareness

You can:

• Explain the role of user-centred design in an organisation
• Describe typical leadership responsibilities in design

Technical skills

As part of the assessment process, all EO content designer candidates will be required to complete a proofreading exercise to demonstrate their editorial skills and awareness of style standards.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,138, Office for National Statistics contributes £8,151 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).

The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation.

Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our car