Xpertise Recruitment
Senior Software Developer

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Vacancy Details
Vacancy Title: Senior Software Developer (£44,241+ DDAT Allowance)
Go live date: Monday 24th August
Application closing date: Wednesday 9th September
Job Information
- Agency: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
- Business area: Digital and Data
- Type of role: 1st: Digital If applicable, 2nd: Information Technology 3rd: Quality
- Which profession is this job?: Government Digital and Data Profession
- Number of jobs available: 3
- Line management responsibilities?: Yes
- Approach: External
- Do you have approval for this vacancy?: Yes
Reserve List
- Are you happy to hold a 12 month reserve list?: Yes
- Do you have approval to extend the reserve list beyond 12 months?: Yes
Locations
- Location type: Towns
- City/Town: Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham (Chadderton), Birmingham (Garretts Green) or Uxbridge.
- Should candidates give location preferences?: Yes
- If yes, maximum number of locations candidates can choose: 3
This role is being advertised in Uxbridge; however the contractual base will be Yeading. While estates work is being carried out in Yeading all posts are being temporarily based at Uxbridge. Successful applicants will start with us at our Uxbridge location. However, everyone will be required to work from Yeading when it reopens in 2028. You will receive the London Weighting allowance of £4,000 while based at Uxbridge and this will continue when we move to Yeading.
Contract details
- Contract type: Permanent
- Working pattern (all four working patterns must be included as a standard, unless you have additional approval): Full-time, Part-time, Job-share, Flexible working
- Job grade: Senior Executive Officer
- Salary minimum: (£44,241)
- More details (allowances etc, if applicable): Plus an additional Government Digital & Data Allowance of up to £14,756. Candidates based in Yeading will also receive the London Weighting allowance of £4,000.
- Civil Service pension?: Yes
The Advert
Job summary
Join DVSA's mission to make roads safer and more efficient by shaping the future of digital public services. As a Senior Developer, you'll play a pivotal role in designing, building, and evolving high-impact digital platforms and services that serve millions across the UK.
This will be a key role in the design, build, support, implementation and improvement of digital services, products, and platforms across DVSA. You will work within a multi-disciplinary team using Agile delivery methodologies, delivering solutions that meet user needs.
You will be committed to quality and will promote quality software engineering techniques within the team, such as code review, design review, reusability of code, refactoring, automated testing, and use of standards.
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.
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Read more in the Benefits section below! Find out more about what it's like working at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Job description
You will be expected to work from requirements or high-level design without the need for direct supervision and will be responsible for the development and delivery of well-designed and executed software and data management solutions, using Agile methodologies. You will coach, support and mentor individual and Junior/Apprentice developers.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:
- Building digital services and software solutions to serve a variety of user's needs and complying with the Digital by Default service standard.
- Implementing APIs for internal and external use.
- Developing solutions that put the user and user experience first.
- Fostering continuous improvement of services through identification and implementation of strategic end to end system improvements.
- Demonstrate leadership by providing influence, direction, and guidance to Developers, Junior/Apprentice Developers to support the delivery of objectives.
For further information on the role, please read the attached 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
We are looking for someone who has:
- A proven track record in successful agile development of digital services.
- Proficiency in front-end and/or back-end development, with expertise in PHP, TypeScript or JavaScript.
- Experience coaching developers within Agile frameworks, ensuring quality and timely delivery.
- Quick adoption of new programming tools, sharing knowledge with peers and juniors.
- Strong grasp of software design principles and systematic problem-solving skills.
- Effective negotiation and communication with senior stakeholders on technical matters.
- Experience in diagnosing production issues, utilising testing for solution validation, and basic understanding of web security.
Government Digital and Data Allowance
The role is part of the Government Digital and Data (or Government Security Profession Career Framework) profession and utilises an enhanced Capability-Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.
The base pay is £44,241. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £14,756. The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.
Additional Information
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
- Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
- Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.
- Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.
- This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
- The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
- If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
- Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.


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Offered Benefits
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.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).
Selection Process Details
How to apply:
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The selection process for this role will be:
- Stage 1: Sift of Personal Statement (750 words max) & CV
- Stage 2: Interview & Assessment
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift of CV & personal Statement
You will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please structure your Personal Statement to provide detailed evidence of each of the following:
- Proven track record in successful agile development of digital services.
- Proficiency in front-end and/or back-end development, with expertise in PHP, TypeScript or JavaScript.
- Effective negotiation and communication with senior stakeholders on technical matters.
The sift will take place week commencing 14th September. If successful at this stage, you will then be invited for interview & assessment.
Stage 2: Interview & Assessment
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
- Behaviours:
- Delivering at Pace
- Developing Self and Others
- Technical skills:
- Information
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