Senior Software Developer

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 (Garrets Green) or Uxbridge. Should candidates give location preferences?: Yes If yes, maximum number of locations candidates can choose: 3 Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham (Chadderton), Birmingham (Garretts Green), or Uxbridge. 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 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 here25 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 birthdayFlexible 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 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 useDeveloping 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. 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 here25 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 PaceDeveloping Self and Others Technical skills: Information security - Level: practitionerDevelopment process optimisation - Level: working You will also be required to participate in a technical challenge and coding exercise at interview which will assess the following technical skills: Programming and build (software engineering) - Level: practitionerModern development standards - Level: practitionerSystems design - Level: practitionerSystems integration - Level: practitioner The interviews will take place week commencing 28th September This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. 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 (opens in a new window). 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 Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. We will also hold a12 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. Should we receive a large number of applications, we may invite a shortlist of the highest performing candidates to interview. This means that some applications that meet the required standard could be placed 'on hold' after the sift and invited to interview if the vacant position(s) remain unfilled. You will be notified if your application is being put 'on hold' once the sift has been completed. 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 Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use Please attach any additional documents to the notification, that need to be attached to your advert on Civil Service Jobs e.g. Role Profile, Brochure, Annexes, Additional approval etc Vacancy contact details Vacancy Holder Name: Bilal Ahmed Email Address: bilal.ahmed@xpertise-recruitment.com Reserved status, checking and vetting Reserved/Non Reserved post(s): Non Reserved Do you require a criminal record check for this vacancy?: Yes Which provider will be conducting the check?: Disclosure barring service (DBS) Find out which criminal record check is right for your recruitment For jobs based in England or Wales: DBS guidance on criminal record checks (opens in a new window) For jobs based in Scotland: Disclosure Scotland guidance on criminal record checks (opens in a new window) For jobs based in Northern Ireland: Access NI guidance on criminal record checks (opens in a new window) Criminal record check level required: Basic National security vetting level required: none Medical required before the successful candidate takes up post?: No Interviews How many rounds of interviews should the candidate expect?: 1 Which Success Profiles will you be using? (Please use the following guidance if required - Success Profiles - GOV.UK): - Behaviours - Technical Skills Experience Request a CV?: Yes Scoring range: 0-7 Job history: No Full qualification details: No Previous skills/experience: No Request a personal statement?: Yes Desirable past experience/skills: No Are licences mandatory?: No Are memberships mandatory?: No Are languages mandatory?: No Are qualifications mandatory: No Behaviours How many behaviours will you assess?: 2 Please list the behaviours you are using below and confirm if they are being assessed at Application and/or Interview stage: Behaviour 1 - Delivering at Pace - Interview Behaviour 2 - Developing Self and Others - Interview Technical skills How many technical skills will you assess?: 6 Please list the technical skills you are using below (including the link to the Technical framework/s) and confirm if they are being assessed at Application and/or Interview stage: Information security - Level: practitioner - Interview Development process optimisation - Level: working - Interview Programming and build (software engineering) - Level: practitioner -Assessment Modern development standards - Level: practitioner - Assessment Systems design - Level: practitioner Assessment Systems integration - Level: practitioner Assessment If required, please provide any additional comments below relevant to your recruitment: 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: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 At Xpertise, we keep things human. Your application will always be reviewed by a real person. We do not rely on AI or automated screening tools. Every candidate receives fair, considered attention from our team. Right to work in the UK is required for this role.