Details
Reference number
422229
Salary
£44,198
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
Administration / Corporate Support
Communications / Marketing
Governance
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Nuneaton
About the job
Job summary
Do you communicate with others in a clear, honest, and enthusiastic way to build trust with both internal and external stakeholders?
Do you have experience of working with Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation?
Do you enjoy delivering at pace in an environment where you manage multiple and often conflicting priorities?
If so, we have a fantastic opportunity to join the Vehicle Certification Agency as our Senior Data Protection Manager. Situated in the Corporate Affairs department, this role offers insight to all aspects of the organisation and is incredibly important in ensuring that the VCA meets its obligations under the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Our work as an organisation 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 for 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.
Do not just take our word for it; here is Dawn Crooks, Senior Corporate Affairs Manager, to tell you more. Please also refer to our Candidate Pack, Role Profile 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
* 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 Vehicle Certification Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Job description
As Data Protection lead, you will have a proactive and pragmatic approach to lead and champion the highest data protection standards and drive forward compliance across all the VCA. In doing so, we ensure that the data collected, stored, processed, and shared by the agency is secure, compliant, and ethical. As well as promoting adherence across all business areas you will promote learning and embed improved ways of working to ensure that our legal position is robust, and we are following the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Working with colleagues of all levels of seniority across the VCA and the wider Department for Transport (DfT), you will need to be confident with addressing diverse interests and respectfully managing these with a high-level of tact, diplomacy, and corporate spirit. Forging professional and robust relationships with those around you and championing best practice will influence uptake and engage in the work you are leading and the importance of this.
We are passionate about supporting colleagues both mentally and physically, by offering a range of benefits and policies to ensure you achieve a work-life balance. You will be a valued member of an organisation who cares about you, by giving you the support you need to reach your full potential.
Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:
* To work proactively as the VCAs Data Protection principal point of contact and subject matter expert. To independently monitor the VCAs compliance and obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 / UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) promoting best practice and providing expert advice and guidance on the application of data protection legislation.
* Lead and manage the VCA team responsible for handling responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests, Subject Access Requests (SAR), as well as responses to Parliamentary Questions and Ministerial correspondence,
* Build and maintain excellent working relationships with key colleagues in the central department, and its executive agencies to share resources, knowledge, and expertise to promote regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
* To review and provide robust advice and recommendations across a range of data protection topics including the completion of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA's), Legitimate Interest Balancing Exercises and data Sharing Agreements to mitigate privacy risks and advise on potential solutions and changes to processes / policies proposed to aid both their legal and practical application.
* To create and maintain documentation that provides evidence of legal and regulatory compliance.
* To lead on the delivery of a data protection training and awareness programme to support areas where the organisation needs to review, develop and implement relevant policies, processes, and procedures,
* To work flexibly and collaboratively across all teams in the organisation to ensure the data protection training and awareness has the greatest impact and effectiveness.
* Undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks associated with this role.
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
* Staff management – 2 x HEO's
* A current, and good working knowledge and understanding of both the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) / Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and Freedom of Information (FOI) / Environmental Information Regulations (EIR)
* Proven ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain focus and alignment of the team's activities.
* Work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
* Experience building relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, with a focus on establishing trust and ensuring clear, honest communication to ensure effective and efficient handling of complex information requests.
* Experience providing evidence based, risk balanced advice to seniors, presenting complex considerations in clear and non-technical terms with a track record of analysing complex data from disparate sources.
Additional Information
This role is suitable for hybrid working, and therefore a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement where employees have the flexibility to work remotely combined with a minimum of 60% of their working time a month at either their principal workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, visiting stakeholders and colleagues, or carrying out detached duty in another VCA workplace. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
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).
VCA does not offer Visa sponsorship. Candidates should ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Qualifications
Hold a recognised qualification such as a Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection or Freedom of Information.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
* Working Together
* 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.
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
Stage 1: Initial Experience-Based 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 (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
* Demonstrate a good working knowledge and understanding of both the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) / Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and Freedom of Information (FOI) / Environmental Information Regulations (EIR).
* Proven experience in managing multiple complex tasks simultaneously, prioritising workload and meeting challenging deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work under pressure and adjust priorities where necessary.
* Experience of building relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, with a focus on establishing trust and ensuring clear, honest, communication to ensure effective and efficient handling of complex information requests.
* Experience of providing evidence based, risk balanced advice to seniors, presenting complex considerations in clear and non-technical terms with a track record of analysing complex data from disparate sources.
Your personal statement should be a maximum of 1000 words and we recommend a minimum of 250 words for each of the bullet points above.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The sift will take place week commencing 23rd September 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Behaviours – (Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Working Together, Managing a Quality Service)
* Experience
The interviews will take place from the 7th October 2025.
This interview will be an in-person interview, where selected candidates will be invited to visit one of our premises. 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
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.
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.
Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).
If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.
AI Tools and Platforms
During the application process candidates are allowed to utilise AI (artificial intelligence) tools and platforms to support them in writing their Behaviours, CVs and Personal Statements. However, you must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview is truthful and factually accurate. Applications may be rejected if plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or concepts generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. You can read more 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 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 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 : Elliot Morgan
* 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