Senior Accessibility Specialist

Job summary

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.

We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.

We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.

We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.

We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.

Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

The Matrix Programme is a transformation initiative involving 7 Government Departments (listed at the end). It is a unique cross-government collaboration that will unlock simpler, better, and more joined up working by bringing together the systems, processes, and ways of working for key government functions.

The Programme is part of the Shared Services Team, a fantastic team passionate about improving the existing shared services experience for DSIT and its partners whilst working to deliver the strategic objectives of the new Government Shared Services Strategy!

We will deliver the Government's three overarching objectives for shared services:
1. Better experience for all users - intuitive systems that are easy to use and mobile-enabled.
2. Efficiency and value for money - better systems and services which support productivity and seek to reduce costs.
3. Standardised processes and data - support interoperability, making it easier to understand and compare corporate data.

The Departments forming the Matrix Programme include Cabinet Office (CO), Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Education (DfE) and His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT).

Person specification

As Accessibility Lead for the Matrix Programme, you will lead the work to ensure accessibility is embedded into our new Service (known as Neo). You will work with different teams, including subject matter experts, department leaders, and colleagues in service, technology, and data. Your goal is to ensure high-quality, user-focused services that are accessible, inclusive, and meet the required standards. This includes setting the approach and improving how accessibility is delivered as the new service is tested and rolled out, including the next onboarding phase due in 2027.

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Ensuring that accessibility requirements are built into future service design and ongoing improvements to business processes. This will include advocacy for users with disabilities, bringing user needs and lived experience into decision-making.
  
• Working closely with the Programme’s Equalities Compliance Lead to make sure the needs of disabled users, including those using assistive technology, are understood and addressed.
  
• Collaborating with our suppliers and departments to ensure the system and service continue to meet accessibility best practice over time. This will include engaging with the Neo Central Office (our new Strategic Service Management Function) to build accessibility expertise to their existing capabilities and in supporting practical activities such as testing, evaluation, and insight-driven improvement.
  
• Working with different teams to build strong accessibility skills across the organisation, including coaching, training, and capability uplift across multidisciplinary teams.
  
• Leading in the identification of any accessibility-related risks and issues across the Programme, ensuring they are recorded, tracked and considered by the appropriate governance forum.
  
• Working with others to ensure the Programme continues to meet its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
  
• Providing clear guidance to the Programme on WCAG 2.2 AA and related standards.
• Supporting the creation and maintenance of Accessibility Statements and gather evidence for associated audits.

Essential Criteria

• You will have strong experience in delivering accessibility in complex digital or large organisation, with a clear passion for inclusive design.
  
• You will bring expert knowledge of accessibility legislation and standards, including WCAG 2.2, the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018, and be able to spot issues that may meet standards but still create barriers for users.
  
• You will have strong leadership skills, with demonstrable experience of influencing both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  
• You will have experience building accessibility into agile projects and/or transformation programmes and in identifying accessibility-related risks and issues.
  
• You will use your initiative to work through issues at pace, challenging and supporting colleagues as needed to secure positive outcomes.
  
• You will be a strong collaborator, with a proven ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
  
• You will possess the ability to review supplier work, challenge risks, and turn accessibility standards into clear, practical requirements for delivery.
  
• You will be able to deliver at pace and will be comfortable working with ambiguity.
  

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Government Digital and