Details
Reference number
424888
Salary
£44,198 - £50,321
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
VCA - Corporate Affairs
Type of role
Estates
Industrial
Operational Delivery
Property
Security
Working pattern
Full-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Bristol
About the job
Job summary
Are you passionate about Estates and Facilities management and the value that this brings to an organisation and its workforce?
Can you communicate clearly and confidently to colleagues at all levels?
Do you have extensive knowledge of Health and Safety requirements and how to apply them in the workplace?
If so, we would love to hear from you
About Us
Our work is focused on improving vehicle safety and environmental protection by providing robust testing and certification to national and internationally recognised standards. We are a part of the Department of Transport as the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority. With more than 40 years' experience, we have become one of the largest and well-respected approval bodies around. This position has been built on a reputation for technical expertise and quality, which is at the heart of everything we do, and what you could be a part of.
Please also refer to our Candidate Pack and VCA website for more information.
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
Read more in the Benefits section below
Find out more about what it's like working at VCA: Vehicle Certification Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Job description
The post holder will be responsible for all property related assets and lease agreements that are in use by the VCA and related maintenance budgets.
The post holder will ensure that the buildings and associated services provide optimum support to the VCA to enable the Agency to meet its core objectives. The main activities include building fabric maintenance, managing building services, managing support services, space management, procurement and utilities management of all the VCA sites. A Total Facilities Management (TFM) contract is in place and the post holder will manage this. The post holder must ensure compliance with all relevant statutory regulations, DfT/ government guidelines and industry best practice.
Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:
* The monitoring of contract and supplier performance, implementation of appropriate commercial management tools and techniques to ensure delivery whilst ensuring value for money is achieved. This includes management of the TFM contract, liaising with our parent Department as part of this
* Business continuity planning and conducting regular exercises to test and amend plans if necessary
* The daily planning, organisation and execution of Health and Safety activities across the Agency. Assessing risks and advising on policy requirements, Act as the focal point for the provision of Health & Safety advice to all staff
* Investigating accidents/incidents/near misses on Agency sites. Implementation any changes to policies and procedure that may be required following the results of an investigation
* Advising all members of the Agency on delivering sustainable services. Oversee the performance indicators detailed within the Sustainability Strategy
* Responsibility for the management of the pool car fleet, ensuring that all statutory and legislative requirements are met. The fleet should be fit for purpose and meet customer needs in the most efficient and cost-effective way
Person specification
Required experience:
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
* Extensive knowledge of industrial/commercial facilities and the management of assets and buildings for all associated hard and soft service provisions.
* Extensive experience of Health and Safety Management Systems, Risk identification and workplace H&S in both engineering and office environments.
* In depth knowledge of Facilities Management Systems and Maintenance Systems
* In depth knowledge of Term Service Contracts and their practical application.
* Knowledge and experience of compiling procurement specifications and associated tendering processes.
* Knowledge and experience in legislation related to Health & Safety, Sustainability Facilities and Fleet management.
Additional Information
Note to current Civil Servants: If your current department do not agree to a loan, you will still be offered an appointment on a fixed-term basis but please be aware that if you are not able to return to your previous post this could result in redundancy from the Civil Service on the conclusion of your appointment. Please contact us if you would like more information.
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
This role does not offer flexible working, and the successful applicant will be expected to attend the office five days a week.
If you have questions regarding how hybrid working is practiced within the business area, or any reasonable adjustments or flexible working arrangements you may currently have or need in place if successful in your application, please contact the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
Occasional travel to other VCA offices that are based in Nuneaton and Leatherhead may be required.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we are currently unable to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.
Licences
Full UK Category B Driving License
Qualifications
• National Examination Board in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH) Certificate or Institution of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH) qualification
• Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) to level 4 or 5 or significant, demonstrable experience in the profession
• COSHH awareness training or significant demonstrable experience
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Making Effective Decisions
* Leadership
* Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £44,198, Vehicle Certification Agency contributes £12,804 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.
* 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 and Experience.
How to apply:
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, 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
In this stage, we carefully review all applicants CV & Personal statement to shortlist candidates who meet the experience indicators (listed below) and possess the necessary qualifications. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
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 (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
* Extensive knowledge of industrial/commercial facilities and the management of assets and buildings for all associated hard and soft service provision
* Extensive experience of Health and Safety Management Systems, Risk identification and workplace H&S in both engineering and office environments.
* In depth knowledge of Facilities Management Systems and Maintenance Systems
* In depth knowledge of Term Service Contracts and their practical application.
The sift is likely to take place week commencing Monday 22nd September 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
The final stage involves an in-person interview, where selected candidates will be invited to visit one of our premises.
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Behaviours – Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership, Managing a Quality Service
* Experience
The interviews are likely to take place week commencing Monday 6th October 2025.
This interview will be conducted in person at our Bristol 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.
Further information on the selection process
We will also hold a 12-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.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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 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 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
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.
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.
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 : Paul Cooke
* 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, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
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