Location

London

About the job

The UK’s transport system is used by most of the population every day, whether travelling to and from work, school, shops, hospitals, or just meeting friends and family. Nearly all journeys use the local roads network. The international freight industry ensures that there are food and goods in the shops, and prompt delivery of parts and raw materials. Most of the transport industry is in the private sector: much of it is subject to safety or economic regulation, often under international agreement; some of it – especially public transport – is subsidised by the taxpayer.

Job description

We are looking for a talented senior leader to join the Joint Air Quality Unit’s leadership team as one of three Deputy Directors (SCS Pay Band 1). As Head of Delivery for the Charging Clean Air Zone Service you will report to the Programmes two Senior Responsible Officers: David Hill, Defra Director for Environmental Quality, and Richard Bruce, the Department for Transport’s Director for Energy, Innovation and Technology. This role is focused on delivering of the charging infrastructure needed to underpin Clean Air Zone charging in these areas – a complex and ambitious project with a significant digital component.

The three Deputy Directors together lead the Joint Air Quality Unit with the other two roles focusing on the below

• Head of Local Authority plans, Science and Evaluation – this role is focused on working with local authorities to put in place action plans to address NO2 emissions in their areas
• Head of Programme Office, Service Ownership and Finance – focused on overall programme management and governance, and the transition of the service to the DVLA in the longer term.
 

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of national infrastructure to enable implementation of local charging Clean Air Zones. You will be responsible for overseeing the final stages of the build of the payment service for Charging Clean Air Zones, the testing regime between central and local government, and the launch of the first two charging clean air zones in July 2020. You will also be responsible for overseeing the “public beta” testing stage for the vehicle checker, including working closely with the contractors to make any adaptations necessary once the service is live and can be tested in earnest. This will require close work with a range of delivery partners in local government, arms-length bodies and private contractors.

• Oversee operational and business readiness for the Charging Clean Air Zone service; including ensuring there are clear Service Level Agreements in place between Local Authorities and the Service covering service operations, performance, liabilities and cost recovery, and implementing the Target Operating Model for the service.

• Ensure the service is on track for transition to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency as soon as possible; you will be responsible for ensuring that the conditions of transfer to the DVLA are met, and for ensuring that the DVLA are equipped to take on the service through effective knowledge management and transfer. This will include working with the other Deputy Directors in JAQU to develop a clear transition plan for the close out of the service from JAQU responsibility.

• To provide excellent and effective change leadership, actively and visibly role modelling the values of being inspiring, confident and empowering, in line with the Civil Service Leadership Statement;

• To take a clear leadership role on corporate issues within Defra and the Department for Transport, and to champion continuous professional development and the project delivery and policy professions across JAQU, Defra, the Department for Transport and the wider Civil Service.

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits.

This includes:
- a generous annual leave entitlement,
- attractive pension options,
- flexible working,
- good career development opportunities,
- a variety of career paths,
- inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process by no later than 23:55, Sunday October 27th. You will be asked to submit the following:

1. Some basic, personal information;
2. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years
3. A Statement of Suitability (max 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification within the attached candidate information pack.

Please note that the statement of suitability is an important part of your application and is as much the means by which you will be assessed as your CV.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us on: [email protected]

Shortlist
• A panel, including the hiring manager, will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section.

Assessments
Staff Engagement Exercise (SEE)

Candidates invited for interview will also be asked to undergo an assessment designed to identify key behavioural strengths as well as any associated areas for development. This is to support the selection panel’s decision making. The SEE will involve meeting with a small group of staff from the department to discuss your approach to leadership and engagement in relation to the role. For further information please see the attached candidate information pack.

Interview
You will then be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence. Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to the Department for Transport will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Please see attached candidate information pack for further information

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

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 equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

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 :   Rebecca McQueen Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] 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: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission