About the job

Job summary

Do you have experience of contract management and working in a fast paced operational environment?

Are you good at solving problems?

Can you build solid working relationships with internal and external stakeholders?

If so we’d love to hear from you!

Job description

If successful you will be responsible for supporting the Theory Test Contract Manager in the operational management of the services provided through one of two Theory Test Contracts: Test Centre Network (TCN) or the Test Engine and Test Content Management (TETCM).

The Contract and Operations Manager carries out activities that both support the day-to-day monitoring of supplier performance to ensure that they are providing DVSA and its customers with a high-quality service and providing operational decisions to help them achieve this.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a suitable individual to gain further contract management experience by managing high value/business critical contracts within an operational delivery environment. You will also be fully supported with self development.

We would also encourage anyone to apply who may already hold Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS).

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Managing the operational relationship with the supplier, approving requests from them on changes to operational delivery that are in the best interests of the Service.
• Managing TCN-raised incidents, working with the supplier to achieve an effective resolution.
• Managing customer-related decisions that require DVSA approval (i.e. non-standard accommodations).
• Chairing operational meetings with each supplier to discuss current operational performance against the expectations set out in the contract and service standards.
• Monitoring and managing supply of TCN capacity for a specific region and supporting the monitor of supply at a national level.
• Highlighting trends and non-conformance to ensure the enforcement of the contract.

For a more detailed description of the role, please find the attached candidate pack.

Additional Information

Regular travel will be required to Nottingham and to supplier Theory Test Centre sites.

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. 

This role can be based in Nottingham, Swansea or Newcastle 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.

Person specification

About You

To thrive in this role you will have experience working in a commercial area; including experience of tender evaluation, contract award and ongoing contract management. You will be confident chairing meetings with suppliers, discussing performance and working together to achieve effective resolutions.

Excellent organisational skills are required and you will be able to manage unexpected incidents as well as spot trends and escalate where necessary. You will be highly adaptable and flexible, adjusting to the requirements of the role and working as a team to support colleagues where needed.

You will hold or be willing to gain the Cabinet Office Government Commercial College (Contract Management) – foundation level.

We are looking for someone who is proactive and takes responsibility for making decisions.

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.

We’re committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams where everyone is valued. You can grow, develop and progress, and make a real difference to society.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice and welcome and encourage applications from everyone, such as ethnic minorities, women, disabled people and those who identify as LGBT+.

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.

Benefits

• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
• Exceptional pension with an employer contribution of an average of 27%.
• 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please tailor your CV to suit the role. For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:

• Your experience of the commercial cycle including tender evaluation, contract award and ongoing contract management.
• Your experience of incident management and managing service change.
• Your ability to work collaboratively and how you manage and maintain strong working relationships.

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 750 words.

Sift – from 19th April 2024

Interviews – 2nd May 2024

This interview will 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. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: 

• An interview.
• A Presentation.

As part of your interview you will be assessed against Contract Management Professional Standards

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. 

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the candidate pack attached, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

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.

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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.