Technical Writer

A large Public Sector client are seeking a Technical Author to start ASAP on an initial 6 month contract. This role will fall inside of the IR35 regulations.
As a technical writer you will take user-centred approach to making complicated technical concepts easier to understand for a specialist audience. In this role, you will focus on specialist content and software documentation, and write for technologists such as developers, technical architects, and technology leaders.
You will work closely with the technology and process subject matter experts to build in-depth understanding of a their products and processes.. You'll be working with technology peers internally, the Government Digital Service (GDS) and across wider Government you will keep up to date with industry changes and help define clear and coherent technical information, discuss commercial and industrial products and services, write technical documentation for users.

Key Relationships:
Regular liaison with the architecture and wider technology community, to ensure alignment with technical road map, emerging designs, standards and principles.
Build up relationships with a range of suppliers, partners, vendors and subject matter experts to inform to understand their needs. You will build long-term strategic relationships and communicate clearly and regularly with these stakeholders.
Accountabilities:
* Develop a thorough understanding of the users and the documentation required by meeting with the stakeholders and working closely with technology colleagues to discuss technical problems.
* Research and build knowledge about products, services, technology, or concepts to be documented.
* Write blog posts for or on behalf of the technical community.
* Meet with subject matter experts in order to ensure that specialised topics are appropriately addressed and discussed.
* Remain up-to-date on technological and product developments as well as universal specifications relevant to his or her industry.
* Engage with and contribute to the cross-government technical writing and content design communities
* Create tutorials to help end-users use a variety of products.
Person Spec:
* You can work in a fast-paced, evolving environment and use an iterative method and flexible approach to enable rapid delivery.
* You can apply technical knowledge and experience to create or design workable prototypes, both programs and physical outputs. You know when to use a specific prototyping technique or methods.
* You know about the technologies used to build and operate digital services. You can collaborate closely with colleagues in different digital disciplines.
* You can understand and implement style and standards.
* You have experience of creating and iterating content across multiple channels. You can be accountable for content decisions. You can train and guide your team.
DDAT:
A technical writer is an expert practitioner who has a deep understanding of technology and the needs of technologists. At this level, you are expected to:

• take a user-centred approach to explaining how to use government products and services to a technical audience, focusing on specialist content and software documentation
• write blog posts for or on behalf of the technical community
• engage with and contribute to the cross-government technical writing and content design communities

Skills needed for this role

• Agile working. You can identify and compare the best processes or delivery methods to use, including measuring and evaluating outcomes. You know how to help the team to decide the best approach. You can help teams to manage and visualise outcomes, prioritise work and work to agreed minimum viable product (MVP), print and scope. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
• Prototyping. You know when to use a specific prototyping technique or method. You can show the value of prototyping to the team. (Relevant skill level: working)
• Stakeholder relationship management. You can influence stakeholders and manage relationships effectively. You know how to build long-term strategic relationships and communicate clearly and regularly with stakeholders. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
• Strategic thinking. You can lead the design and implementation of strategy, directing the evaluation of strategies and policies to ensure business requirements are being met. (Relevant skill level: expert)
• Technical understanding. You know about the technologies used to build and operate digital services. You can collaborate closely with colleagues in different digital disciplines. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
• User focus. You know how to give direction on which tools or methods to use. You are experienced in meeting the needs of users across a variety of channels. You can bring insight and expertise in how user needs have changed over time to ensure these are met by the business. You know how to apply strategic thinking in how to provide the best service for the end user. (Relevant skill level: expert)
• User-centred content design. You can create and iterate content for end-to-end services. You can deliver through others and direct their work. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)

Please get in touch with Lauren Pocknell, to find out more