Details
Reference number
426648
Salary
£35,663
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
DVLA - Human Resources and Estates Directorate
Type of role
Estates
Health and Safety
Property
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Swansea
About the job
Job summary
Do you have experience of working within a fast-paced health and safety role?
Can you use your excellent interpersonal skills to effectively engage with stakeholders?
Are you confident with producing thorough, accurate health and safety reports and risk assessments?
If so, we would love to hear from you
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) plays a vital role in keeping Britain's roads safe and efficient. We are responsible for the registration and licensing of drivers in Great Britain and vehicles across the UK, as well as the collection and enforcement of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Our work ensures that only qualified drivers and correctly taxed vehicles are on the road.
Our key responsibilities include issuing photocard driving licences and vehicle registration certificates, recording driver endorsements and medical conditions, and taking enforcement action against tax evaders. We also register and issue tachograph cards, sell personalised registrations, and support law enforcement by providing crucial data to police and intelligence services. In addition, we offer anonymised data services to authorised users, helping inform public and private sector decision-making.
At DVLA, we are committed to delivering services that are simple, secure, and efficient making a difference to millions of people every day.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below
Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA.
Job description
You will be responsible for the development, implementation, and periodic review of health and safety policies, procedures, safe systems of work, method statements, and risk assessments, in line with core health and safety competencies and ISO 45001 standards.
You will provide specialist advice and support to internal and external stakeholders across the organisation, ensuring consistent application of health and safety processes and procedures.
You will also lead on internal audits and statutory compliance reviews, including thorough assessments of principal service partners and contractors to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
You will investigate accidents and near-miss incidents, generating corrective action reports for those responsible to make the required improvements.
You will conduct reviews of on-site CDM project activities carried out by service providers, including the assessment of submitted RAMS, to ensure compliance with health and safety standards and regulatory requirements.
We may require you to undertake line management responsibilities, and you would be supported to develop these skills if you have not previously worked as a line manager.
This is a fast-paced, varied role in which no two days are the same. You will join a supportive, knowledgeable, close-knit team, in which you will be encouraged to develop your skills and excel in your role and career.
Due to the nature of the role, flexibility and adaptability are essential. You will be required to support the business outside of normal working hours, including evenings and weekends, as part of an on-call rota—for which an allowance will be paid. Similarly, as DVLA estates are spread across multiple sites (Morriston, Fforestfach, Swansea Vale) a full, valid UK driving licence is essential.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:
* Audit health and safety systems, contractors, and service partners for statutory compliance.
* Review CDM project activities and assess RAMS for regulatory adherence.
* Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses; report injury claims and compile statistics.
* Maintain Health and Safety Management System aligned with ISO 45001.
* Generate and track Corrective Action Reports to resolve non-compliance.
* Advise stakeholders on health and safety legislation and best practices.
* Develop internal health and safety communications and campaigns.
* Attend meetings with Trade Unions, regulators, and partners to support safety initiatives.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Person specification
Essential qualifications/licences:
* A full valid UK driving licence
* NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety or equivalent qualification (mandatory)
Health and Safety Lead auditor (if not already, you must be willing to work towards this when in role)
We are looking for a confident and articulate communicator who can engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally. You remain professional under pressure, showing sound judgement and a solutions-focused mindset.
You take a structured, analytical approach to your work and can produce and critically assess reports, risk assessments, and method statements to ensure legal and regulatory compliance. This includes reviewing on-site Construction Design and Management (CDM) activities and assessing submitted Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) from service providers.
You have experience auditing to ISO-accredited standards and will proactively conduct audits of internal systems, service partners, and contractors to ensure statutory compliance.
We are seeking someone highly organised, capable of managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality outcomes within agreed timescales. You are self-motivated, pragmatic, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment focused on health and safety excellence.
At DVLA, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and valued. We support this through staff-led networks that promote diversity, wellbeing, and community.
Additional information
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
This role is not suitable for hybrid working and will require the successful candidate to work solely from their designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, from other offices/work locations/visiting stakeholders.
This role involves occasional travel to our Birmingham office, however full notice will be provided in advance.
If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Licences
Full valid UK Driving Licence
Qualifications
NEBOSH General Certificate in Health and Safety or equivalent qualification (mandatory)
Health and Safety Lead auditor (if not already, you must be willing to work towards this when in role)
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Making Effective Decisions
* Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Government Property Career Framework – Health and Safety, compliance and Inclusion (Skill level: Practitioner)
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £35,663, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £10,331 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
* Access to the staff discount portal.
* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
* Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
How to apply:
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, qualifications and potential fit within our organisation.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement
Stage 2: Interview
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1250-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
* Working within a health and safety role and how you have applied all associated legislation, particularly when dealing with any challenges or difficult situations.
* Auditing to an ISO accredited standard.
* Producing and reviewing risk assessments and method statements.
* Interpreting and applying health and safety legislation.
* Communicating with and monitoring external stakeholders to ensure that they comply with all legislative requirements.
The sift will take place from Monday 20th October 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Behaviours – Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace
* Technical – Government Property Career Framework – Health and Safety, compliance and Inclusion (Practitioner)
* Experience – Working within a health and safety role and how you have applied all associated legislation, particularly when dealing with any challenges or difficult situations.
The interviews will take place week commencing Monday 3rd November 2025.
This interview will be conducted in person at our Morriston, Swansea office. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site.
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
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 for assistance.
Further information on the selection process
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.
We will also hold a12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
AI Tools and Platforms
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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.
If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service within the last 12 months, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage.
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)
* 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 .
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Jillian Daniel
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint you should contact in the first instance.
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