Head of Driver Policy (job-share)
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 14th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Have you got experience of working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, appreciating others views and negotiating when required?
Are you an influential and confident leader who can motivate others?
Do you have experience of leading and delivering policy and legislative change?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
This is a varied and rewarding role, that presents the opportunity to lead the Drivers Policy area at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Job description
The role of Head of Driver Policy is to provide policy leadership on all relevant policies which relate to DVSA’s driver testing, compliance and enforcement services. You will provide professional advice and guidance to the Director, Executive and Corporate Senior Leadership teams, so they are able to make informed strategic decisions for the Agency.
The post holder is key member of the Policy, Digital & Data Directorate Senior Management Team with ownership of DVSA’s driver policy leadership with subject matter expertise related to defining DVSA driver policy and services. Within the context of the Agency’s Vision and Strategic Plans, the post holder will assess any socio-economic, technology and political developments which may change the policy and service requirements the Agency is expected or may be able to deliver, or the Agency’s approach to delivery of services. In the light of such assessments, recommend any changes to the Agency’s strategy or policies as may be necessary to ensure the Agency is proactive in its policy and service offerings.
The post holder is responsible for defining policy development for these services which contribute to the vision and strategic direction of DVSA. The post holder will work alongside Department for Transport policy development and legal and analytical teams and collaborate with key stakeholders in developing new or improved policies and is accountable for translating these policies into standards and guidance for the business, to ensure operational and digital delivery is successful, affordable and meets user needs.
There is a requirement to design and deliver evidence-based driver policies and associated legislative changes, which are fit for the future and ensure that:
- Road safety policy objectives are achieved.
- Driver services are sustainable and deliver value for money.
- Evolving customer/user needs are understood and met.
The Head of Driver Policy will join the existing post holder in a job-share partnership. The intention would be for both job-share partners to work three days a week, with one day’s overlap. We expect this to be in a block at either the start or end of a week, rather than spread through the week.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Responsible for the leadership and management of the G7 heads of driver policies, including the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Registrar, the Chief Driving Examiner, and Economic Advisor and their teams.
- Oversee DVSA legislative and regulatory matters to ensure that the Agency’s interests are appropriately considered and delivered.
- Lead on policy and legislative changes and associated regulations, including clearance of impact assessments, public consultations, and ministerial reporting.
- Influence policy development at a senior departmental level and ensure policies are fully and effectively translated into operational and digital delivery requirements for efficient service delivery.
- Future proof services by working with internal and external stakeholders to recommend any changes to the Agency’s rolling five-year strategy.
- Represent the Agency externally as requested/required as a subject matter expert (e.g. at networking events, conferences and exhibitions) to enhance and strengthen the Agency’s profile.
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached Candidate Pack.
Person specification
To succeed in this role, you have experience of leading and delivering legislative change. You will have significant experience of leading the policy development process, managing input from various experts to present policy recommendations.
You will have a demonstrable background in the development and delivery of policy objectives, standards and requirements, with evidence of leading strategic change.
You will have significant experience of working collaboratively across team and organisational boundaries to build evidence-based policy and efficient and effective operational and digital services fit for the future.
You will have a proven aptitude for leadership, with an ability to build effective working relationships with teams and a wide range of stakeholders that creates space for constructive, open, and transparent engagement contributing to a culture of inclusion.
You will have an excellent understanding of the UK political and Civil Service policy environment and experience of working within a parliamentary framework.
Additional Information
This role can be based in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham or Swansea, your presence at one of these locations will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. Our expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards this.
Please note that this role will require regular travel to London with occasional travel also being required to other DVSA offices for team meetings and line management responsibilities.
Please take note that DVSA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
About Us
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably.
We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
We’re working hard to:
- Make roads safer.
- Improve services for our customers.
- Make road transport greener and healthier.
- Harness the potential of technology and data.
- Grow and level up the economy.
To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace and making DVSA a great place to work visit our Careers website.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Strategy - 1.1. Policy Context and Purpose - Level 1: Developing
- Democracy -2.1. Working with Ministers -Level 1: Developing
Benefits
- An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
- Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30.
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Latest IT and Tech devices.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- Excellent learning and development tailored to your role including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level.
- Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names.
- Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing.
- Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers.
- For more information see visit our careers page.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:
- Your experience of leading and delivering legislative change.
- Significant experience of leading the policy development process, and managing the input of relevant analytical, technical, and legal experts to present policy recommendations.
- Significant experience of working collaboratively across team and organisational boundaries to build evidence-based policy and efficient and effective operational and digital services fit for the future.
- Proven aptitude for leadership, with an ability to build effective working relationships with teams and a wide range of stakeholders that creates space for constructive, open, and transparent engagement contributing to a culture of inclusion.
Your Personal Statement will be limited to a maximum of 1000 words.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- An interview and a written policy exercise
The sift is due to take place from 15th &16th October 2024.
Interviews and policy exercises will likely be held week commencing 28th October 2024.
The interview and exercise will both be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We’ll try to meet the dates we’ve set out in the advert. But there may be occasions when these dates will change. We’ll give you plenty of notice of any important dates.
If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work for DVSA and how to apply, we will be holding virtual sessions to find out more. Please click here to secure your place at one of our upcoming events.
The Department for Transport recruits using Success Profiles. For each role, we consider what you need to demonstrate to be successful.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
You can read more about Success Profiles here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Becky Thomas
- Email : becky.thomas@dvsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
