About the job

Job summary

Are you a confident leader with the ability to inspire a vibrant team across multiple locations?

Do you have significant experience of leading on criminal investigations and in depth knowledge of the relevant legal requirements?

Would you like the opportunity to coordinate and manage a portfolio of complex investigation cases to ensure the right outcomes are achieved?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

This is an exciting and autonomous opportunity, that will allow you to lead and implement change within your teams. To ensure that concerns from customers and stakeholders are dealt with at the appropriate level and are aligned with the expectation set out by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Job description

The Senior Investigation Manager’s job is to provide leadership and management to a team of Caseworkers. The post holder is responsible for the performance of their team comprised of geographically dispersed teams and work collaboratively with colleagues across enforcement to achieve national outcomes. The post holder will ensure delivery of an effective, timely, business and customer focused counter fraud service including fraud related investigations in accordance with plans and corporate objectives. 

The post holder will lead on the development and performance management for their team, ensuring that they meet their potential and deliver a quality service whilst meeting business plan targets. They will need to ensure continuous monitoring of performance delivered by their team, using management tools such as Power Bi, workbooks, and team meetings. They will seek opportunities to improve ways of working and offer alternative options regarding policy implementation, where these are inefficient or burdensome, and ensure regular quality control activities are undertaken within their teams. 

The post holder will act as the lead manager in their area, leading business change initiatives, supporting their senior manager in the realisation of benefits, and representing the Agency with all relevant stakeholders.
 
The post holder will be a role model to engender a culture of engagement and inclusion. They will develop your team’s potential and guide their activities to ensure delivery of high quality, efficient and effective services that meet stakeholder’s needs and delivers the achievement of Business Plan targets and standards; always looking for value for money and consistency of service.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Leading, motivating & managing teams of investigators & associated resources, striving to meet or exceed targets for effectiveness, efficiency & service. Monitoring performance in all areas, providing feedback & seeking improvement.
• Providing clear leadership through guidance and advice to Senior Managers within the networks.
• Ensuring that PDMRs are completed and returned within agreed timescales and reviewing with the Enforcement Manager main tasks/objectives to agree any changes needed to meet changing customer requirements or to agree action(s) to overcome unforeseen operational difficulties.
• Embracing continuous professional development for staff and create an engaged and empowering culture, building overall capability.
• Monitoring all aspects of performance within the network and take corrective action to ensure that objectives are achieved and best practice is shared within and between networks.
• Undertaking and leading on investigations where the business dictates. This will include scoping the investigation/audit, conducting full and thorough investigations in line with legislation and internal procedures, carrying out testing and production of a quality draft/final investigation reports.
  
• Providing support to operational and project teams with counter fraud and integrity technical advice and guidance on best practice and effectively managing and controlling risks.
• Being responsible for interpretation of the law, applying different approaches and methodologies
• Providing technical advice to the Operations and Policy & Stakeholder Management Directorates concerning changes required to/input to policies and operational procedures in the light of the findings of investigations.
• Executing management responsibilities effectively and in line with DVSA policies and processes; working with, leading and acting as a role model for team members and colleagues in line with Civil Service values.

For further information and a full list of responsibilities, please see Candidate Pack attached.

Person specification

We are looking for someone with excellent leadership qualities, who can motivate and inspire a diverse team to raise their standards to achieve sometimes challenging outcomes against conflicting priorities.

Managing and implementing change is something you enjoy. You take time to understand the benefits of change and encourage others to embrace new ways of working for the good of our customers and the business.

You have demonstrable experience of dealing with and managing criminal investigations. Analysing and interpreting data comes naturally to you and you have confidence to draw suitable conclusions and, make sensible decisions based on the evidence you retrieve.

You have exceptional communication skills and are able to work effectively with both internal and external key people, focusing on a common objective.

If not already held, there will be development opportunities for the successful applicant to work towards the following when in post:

• Post Collision examination qualification and an Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigative Practice or equivalent accredited qualification. 

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. 

Additional Information 

This role can be based in Swansea, Nottingham, Bristol, Newcastle or Chelmsford, 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 current expectation is that you will spend a minimum 40% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards the 40%. Please be aware there is a Civil Service wide expectation to increase office attendance to 60% and we are working on our implementation plan.

The role manages teams across different locations and frequent travel will be required with some overnight stays.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement, for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

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 and Experience.

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 managing and implementing change
• Your experience of operational leadership, managing diverse teams with significant competing priorities
• Your experience of working in an investigative and/ or criminal analytics role
• Your experience of working with and interpreting different sources of data to draw conclusions

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1000 words.

The sift is due to take place week commencing 08 January 2024.

Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 29 January 2024.

This interview could 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 and a presentation 

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 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.

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

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.