Associate Accessibility Specialist

Do you have a passion for digital accessibility?

Are you an engaging communicator, with good self-organisation?

The Accessibility Standards and Strategy Team is creating an inclusive culture, within DWP, by empowering colleagues so they deliver products, services and internal communications, which are accessible, inclusive and comply with the accessibility legislation.

We research, document and share best practice to educate DWP. We monitor, document and report on compliance across our services and hold teams accountable when they do not meet the standards expected of any Public Sector Body.

We are looking for Associate Accessibility Specialists to join our established team and help us to continue our mission and ensure the highest levels of digital accessibility for both our customers and colleagues in DWP.
Job description

You will work across DWP, with colleagues at a range of role levels to embed accessibility into all products, services and communications.

Your responsibilities will include but are not restricted to, the following:

Providing support and consultancy to colleagues.
Supporting the creation of training materials and learning content.
Performing accessibility audits.
Line managing Apprentice Accessibility Specialists.
Engaging with and contributing to the DWP accessibility community.

Person specification

When giving details in your employment history and personal statement you should highlight your experience in line with essential criteria below:

(Lead Criteria) Contributing to accessibility audits, giving advice, guidance and recommendations about accessibility.
Understanding of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and how they apply to websites and documents.
Understanding of how to make web and document content accessible including the use of automated tools and assistive software for testing.
Leading on work, ensuring colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, activities and timeframes.
Using a range of relevant, credible information and consulting with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered.

If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact caicy.sandford1@dwp.gov.uk.
Behaviours

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

Working Together
Making Effective Decisions

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £37,497, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £10,862 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

Salary Information

New entrants to the Civil Service will join on band minimum.

Existing Civil Servants who secure a new role on lateral transfer should maintain their current salary.

Existing Civil Servants who gain promotion may move to the bottom of the grade pay scale or 10% increase in salary whichever would be the greater.