Introduction
Who DVSA are
DVSA help you stay safe on Great Britain’s roads by:
- helping you through a lifetime of safe driving
- helping you keep your vehicle safe to drive
- protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles
DVSA employ around 4,600 people across Great Britain to do this. They include:
- driving examiners
- vehicle standards assessors
- vehicle examiners
- traffic examiners
- customer service agents
- registration and licensing officers
- digital services and technology experts
- corporate services experts, such as communications, finance and HR
Introduction from the Minister
Welcome Note from Mark Harper
Secretary of State for Transport
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the Non-Executive Director position on the Board of the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
This is an exciting time for the Department for Transport. As people return to the transport network after the COVID pandemic, we are investing heavily in infrastructure and public transport to improve journeys, boost connections, and level up the country. Central to our mission is delivering transport that works for everyone in our society.
We are recruiting for a Non-Executive Director who will also chair the Audit and Risk Committee, to join our team on the Board. DVSA carry out driving tests, approve people to be driving instructors and MOT testers, carry out tests to make sure lorries and buses are safe to drive, carry out roadside checks on drivers and vehicles, and monitor vehicle recalls. DVSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Transport.
The successful candidate, through their membership of the Board, which is an advisory board, and as chair of the DVSA Audit and Risk Committee, will provide challenge and support to the DVSA Executive Team. They will play a vital role in the effective strategic and operational leadership of DVSA. The NEDs provide guidance, experience, opinion and governance scrutiny, and support the Chief Executive Officer to deliver DVSA’s strategic and business plans.
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Prepare for and make an effective contribution to the DVSA Board and executive/NED meetings
- Be able to dedicate time to specific projects within DVSA
- Proactively challenge DVSA and provide external insight to support its journey to becoming a digital organisation based on experience of large-scale IT transformation
- Provide external insight and experience to support the delivery of the DVSA vision
- Work proactively with the Board and objectively with government to:
- Provide sound advice to the Chair and Chief Executive
- Provide strong and constructive challenge to the executive team to ensure that policy delivery follows strategic direction
- Collectively ensure that decisions made by the Board follow proper procedures and are supported by sufficient high-quality information
- Ensure high standards of corporate governance and financial management and control are observed at all times
- Work closely with, and hold to account, the executive team for delivery of the Agency’s Business Plan and budget
- build strong relationships with the DVSA Board
- Chair the DVSA Audit and Risk Committee. The purpose of the Committee is:
- Risk, control and governance arrangements and associated assurance activity
- Audit and other review body plans
- Accounting policies, annual reports and accounts and governance statements
- Anti-fraud and whistleblowing arrangements
- Management response to issues identified
As part of the Department’s commitment to diversity, we believe our staff should reflect our customers - the travelling public. That means we want to attract candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds. We welcome applications from people irrespective of their disability, ethnicity, or gender, who can bring wide experience and dynamic ideas to our boards. We are open to fresh talent, expertise, and perspectives, to help us better understand the needs of the communities we serve.
If you are interested in the role and work of DVSA, I would like to encourage you to apply. Our dedicated DfT Public Appointments Team would be happy to talk through the process and answer your questions.
Rt Hon Mark Harper MP
Secretary of State for Transport
Appointment description
Title: Non-Executive Director (NED)/Audit and Risk Committee Chair.
Reports to: Nick Bitel, Non-Executive Chair of DVSA Directing Board
Duration: An initial term of between 2 and 3 years, with the possibility of re-appointment
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum for up to 36 days attendance. The ARAC Chair role requires a greater time commitment, for which an extra £3,000 per annum will be paid.
Person Specification:
The successful candidate will possess a good appreciation of the role of a Non-Executive Director, and they will understand and be committed to the pivotal role that the Board plays in the effective and efficient delivery of DVSA services.
They will clearly demonstrate independence of judgement and an ability to communicate with impact to provide constructive support and challenge. The essential and desirable criteria for the role are listed below.
Organisation description
For further details see: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency/about/our-governance
Board composition
DVSA Directing Board
The Directing Board sets DVSA’s strategic direction. Every month, the Board meets to discuss the most important issues for the agency. The Board is made up of a Non-Executive Chair, the Chief Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, and a number of Directors and Non-Executive Directors.