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Job description

How DVA operates The Agency is led by its Chief Executive, who reports through the Deputy Secretary for Climate, Planning and Public Transport Group to the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Infrastructure and the Minister for Infrastructure. The Chief Executive, who is also the Agency Accounting Officer, has day to day responsibility for its activities, and is accountable for its performance against the targets set by the Department and the Minister. The Agency, which has a staffing complement of around 800, serves well over 1 million customers a year. It operates from a variety of locations across Northern Ireland including two main administrative centres, one in Belfast and one in Coleraine, 16 driver and vehicle testing centres, one satellite driving test centre and six theory test centres. The Agency carries out around 1,150,000 roadworthiness checks annually on cars and motorcycles, light goods vehicles, trailers, large passenger carrying vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. Over 100,000 driving related tests are carried out each year i.e., theory tests, practical ‘L’ tests, large goods vehicle (LGV) tests and passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) tests. In addition, the Agency maintains an up-to-date register of around 1200 Approved Driving Instructors. The Agency’s Compliance Section is responsible for checking both vehicles and drivers to ensure they comply with statutory legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to supporting the strategic role of their Director and the corporate management of their Directorate to achieve aims and objectives.
• Have responsibility for a group of test centre managers ensuring each is managing resources to deliver the best results possible.
• Have responsibility for the quality and delivery for all tests to a quality standard (ISO 9001 2015).
• Continually reviewing service delivery to meet the needs of customers by utilising IT systems and performance reporting tools.
• Please see the candidate information booklet for further information.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications: Be in possession of a BTEC National Certificate in Motor Vehicle Engineering (previously City & Guilds Motor Technicians Part 2 (No 390) or equivalent.
• OR Be prepared to obtain the above qualification within 3 years of taking up post. Please see Condition of Employment section page 9
• AND Have a minimum of two years’ management experience in delivering services to meet key business objectives and targets.
• AND Have a minimum of two years’ management experience in a vehicle testing or vehicle policy related environment.
• AND Have access to a vehicle and hold a full current driving licence (which includes Category B) to enable the post holder to drive in Northern Ireland.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 11th September 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from Protestants, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit