DSA – Movement & Transport Safety Regulator – Driver Training Assurance (SEO)

The Role

The Movement & Transport Safety Regulator (MTSR) is responsible for providing safety and environmental protection assurance to the Secretary of State for Defence, in that Movement & Transport (M&T) activity is compliant with legislation and Defence regulation. Sitting within the Defence Safety Authority (DSA), the Driver Training Assurance SEO is a core member of the MTSR Assurance team.

Your role will be to manage a small team who contribute towards M&T safety assurance and its regulatory policy, specifically within the driver training, testing and vehicle use domains. You will need to understand driver licensing legislation and its associated theoretical and trade training elements, enabling Defence to effectively operate its vehicle capability. You will need to be prepared and be able to deploy for short periods in the UK or overseas, either in an unescorted capacity or by joining hybrid civil / military teams to inspect activity at MOD establishments, on training areas, and elsewhere, anywhere in the world where UK Defence armed forces operate.

If you have an interest in safety, have an inquisitive mind, and wish to make a difference then we would be delighted to receive your application.

The Organisation: The Defence Safety Authority (DSA) is responsible for the regulation of Defence health, safety, and environmental protection. Its purpose is to provide independent, evidence-based assurance to the Secretary of State for Defence, that their policy on safety in Defence is being promoted and implemented within the course of Defence activities. The DSA brings together the MOD safety regulators across all environments, including maritime, air, land, nuclear, ordnance and fire, and accident investigators into a single independent organisation led by a 3* military officer.

Our Department: The Defence Land Safety Regulator (DLSR), one of 9 Regulators that sit within DSA, is responsible for safety and environmental protection regulation and assurance across four specific areas of predominantly land domain activity:  Land Systems; Movement and Transport; Fuel and Gas; and Adventurous Training. DLSR delivers against this remit by: tracking, assessing and influencing forthcoming technology and legislative changes; setting Defence regulations, Acceptable Means of Compliance, Codes of Practice and providing appropriate guidance; conducting independent assurance audits and inspections; licensing high-hazard activities; and, where required, taking enforcement action to ensure compliance to support the delivery of Defence’s operational capability. Your position sits within MTSR.

At the DSA, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an equal opportunities employer recruiting solely based on merit, we strive to eradicate bias and search for all types of talent. We work diligently to ensure every social group can feel included; our dedication to diversity is evident across our organisation and reflects our vision of encouraging an inclusive workforce that harnesses the power of difference to safeguard our nation’s security and stability.

We’ll also ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request further information.

This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station) and working from home as a personal choice, with management approval and to meet business needs.  If you are successful, your permanent duty station and any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

This role will offer you the opportunity to work within MTSR, as a Senior Executive Officer (SEO), in the SO1 Driver Training Assurance role.

 As the SO1 Driver Training Assurance you will drive forward the development and management of MTSR’s assurance and inspection process of vehicle use within the subject area of driver training.  

Your key functional output will be to implement and maintain appropriate processes, procedures and activities, consistent within M&T regulations. With specific responsibilities for assurance of all driver training and testing, including the use of training areas for the safe operation of vehicles wherever Defence has a presence.

You will be responsible for arranging and the conduct of risk based audits and inspections, and gathering evidence as to: Whether activities are being conducted safely; The degree of compliance conforms with National and International legislation, Defence regulations and standards; Confirm Risk to Life (RtL) and other safety and environmental outcomes are being appropriately managed and mitigated to ensure that all associated risks are as low as is reasonably practicable; and, where necessary, applying enforcement action as appropriate.

You will be expected to promote and foster an engaged safety culture, compliance and continuous improvement, by all who are involved in, or connected with, the driver training process or other Defence M&T activity where vehicles are being used in a training capacity. You will contribute to the promotion and fostering of peer relationships with relevant statutory regulators and where appropriate, the development and maintenance of joint assurance activities with other DSA and external regulators. 

Additional duties will include holding line management responsibilities for: 1 x Major (Royal Logistic Corps), 1 x HEO and 1 x EO Grades. Occasionally you may be required to provide ad-hoc support to, and deputise for, others within the MTSR team.

You will be expected to collaborate with other teams within DLSR and provide advice and guidance with regards to regulatory change requirements with possible read across and liaison with other areas of Defence to ensure policy remains fit for purpose.

This role will involve regular travel within the UK and occasional travel outside of the UK, including where necessary, visiting operational theatres.

Person Specification

• Have previous line management experience;
• Have practical experience and applied knowledge of M&T operations;
• Have practical awareness and experience of driver training and testing processes and procedures with appropriate military knowledge, competencies and skills of associated trade related requirements necessary for the use of vehicles on military training areas and on operations;
• Have demonstratable experience at a Health & Safety practitioner level;
• Be an effective communicator with proven written and oral communication skills, and be able to brief confidently to senior executive level;
• Possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work flexibly in order to meet stretching deadlines;
• Be able to work independently and as part of a wider team, with the ability to interact and engage confidently with a range of stakeholders across Defence.

You will be expected to work closely with other Defence safety and assurance organisations to develop relationships, gain an understanding of issues, share information arising from risk-based analysis, and conduct audits, both remote desk-based and site-based as appropriate.

You will also be expected to collaborate with other government departments or bodies to provide advice and guidance with regards to changes of national regulations, with potential read across into updating Defence regulations or policy.

Occasionally you may be required to provide ad-hoc support to, or deputise for, the team’s Lead Auditor.

Essential Experience

• Previous experience in supervisory or managerial positions engaged in M&T operations.
• A working knowledge of legislative exemptions relating to driver training and testing.
• A working knowledge of HS&EP legislation and be able to translate the requirements to the M&T safety domains.
• An ability to read, understand, interpret and respond to associated legislative or Defence regulation related questions.

 Desirable Experience

Due to the nature of this role and working in close partnership with the Armed Forces, there are particular skills, functional competencies and a higher-than-average knowledge of military practices required. This does not necessarily mean applicants must have served within the Armed Forces, but experience or knowledge of the following elements during the selection process would be an advantage:

•  A sound understanding of Defence organisational structures and military command arrangements. 
• A knowledge and understanding of Defence M&T safety regulations.
• Knowledge of the Defence driver training process and the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) process.
• Assessment and selection of suitable driver training areas.
• Previous experience of audit processes.

 Essential Qualifications

• Full valid driving licence (minimum of Cat B).

 Desirable Qualifications

• ​Be a member of a professional body, for example The Chartered institute of Logistics and Transport.
• Certificate of Professional Competence (Road Transport Management) or military equivalent.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options including a flexi-time scheme.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• Highly competitive Civil Service pension scheme with average 27% employer contribution.
• Alternative working practices such as hybrid working.
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year.
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
• Minimum of 15 days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments.
• Special paid leave for volunteering up to 6 days per year.
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing – a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
• On-site gymnasium (for a small monthly fee for membership of Civil Service Sports Club).
• Loan to purchase a Bicycle (Advance on Salary).
• Defence Sports & Recreational Association (DSRA).
• Access to Defence Discount Service & Blue Light Discount.

The post does not offer relocation expenses. 

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. 

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.  

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

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Job contact :

• Name : Scott Sutherland
• Email : Scott.Sutherland756@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk