UCD Designer

Job Description

User-Centred Design (UCD) Designer

Contract Length: 6 Weeks (Initial Discovery and Alpha)

Location: Remote (UK-based)

Outside IR35, £550 per day

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced User-Centred Design (UCD) Designer for a high-velocity, 6-week piece of work spanning both Discovery and initial Alpha phases for a UK Government digital department.

This role is ideal for a practitioner who thrives in fast-paced public sector environments. You will need a strong track record of delivering outcomes-focused, quick-turnaround Discovery pieces within central government or the broader public sector, adhering to the GOV.

UK Service Standard.

What You'll Be Doing

You will take ownership of defining user needs and translating them rapidly into robust MVP options and prototypes.

Key responsibilities include:

Discovery to Alpha Transition

Rapidly synthesized insights from an intensive Discovery sprint into actionable, high-impact design concepts.

MVP Definition

Apply MoSCoW prioritisation frameworks to map core user needs against key operational deadlines specifically targeting an early 2027 live/test milestone.

Prototyping and Early Concept Testing

Build lean, testable prototypes (interactive HTML/GOV.

UK prototype kit or low-fidelity models) to quickly stress-test ideas directly with users.

Accessibility from Day One

Ensure WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards are natively baked into every design choice and prototype layer rather than treated as a late-stage audit check.

Essential Experience and Skills

Government Space Track Record: Proven background delivering outcomes-focused, quick turnaround Discovery and Alpha projects in UK Central Government or public sector departments.

GDS/Service Standard Expertise: Practical experience operating within the GOV.

UK Service Manual framework, GOV.

UK Design System, and GDS assessment criteria.

Outcome-Driven Prototyping: Ability to turn ambiguous research findings into concrete, testable concepts quickly without getting bogged down in low-priority detail.

Prioritisation Mastery: Experience using MoSCoW and impact mapping to align multi-disciplinary teams around strict delivery dates.

Inclusive and Accessible Design: Deep working knowledge of WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, inclusive research integration, and designing for complex access needs.

You must be BPSS eligible and UK-based