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MD4IA Programme Director

Vacancy summary

Royal Air Force
ECR 39612
OF-5 - Capt RN - Col - Gp Capt
Group Captain

15/10/2021, 23:55 

April 2022
3 Years
Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Army
Any
Any
RAF Digby
Lincolnshire
United Kingdom
FTRS - Limited Commitment

Vacancy detail

Subject to formal establishment amendment, a vacancy may arise for a Group Captain to serve as the Mission Data for Information Advantage Programme Director at the Joint Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities Group at RAF Digby (office anticipated to be in a civilian office in Lincoln, up to a maximum of 40% home working also offered) on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service with a proposed start date being 11th April 2022 (or earlier, depending upon formal establishment and candidate status).

MD4IA Background. 

Electronic warfare sensors such as threat warning receivers must identify received signals against knowledge banks of known signal characteristics. This information is generated by the intelligence community and housed in complex global databases from which platform and mission-specific 'mission data' can be extracted and programmed.  A highly specialised and niche activity for the past 50 years, this discipline is now evolving in the information age to become a Defence-wide platform reprogramming enterprise without which current and next generations of aircraft, ships and vehicles simply cannot operate.  Acknowledging the growth and risks associated with this area of operations, the Military Capability Board directed a new Defence-wide programme which was endorsed and resourced through the Integrated Review. This is to provide or assure coherence, interoperability and economies of scale, linked to the Multi Domain Integration Change Programme. Deliverables (not exhaustive) including a new Defence-wide operating model for platform data, greater coherence and governance for a range of existing and planned EW projects, Design Authority, Coordination Centre and an Industry-partnered export service. 

Responsibilities. This role is a key appointment of the MD4IA Programme which offers challenge combined with a high profile and an exciting opportunity to directly shape the survivability and lethality of the UK Armed Forces.  The Programme Director is part of the JCG senior leadership team and reports to the Programme Board and SRO.

Working through Comd JCG to the SRO, the MD4IA Programme Director is responsible for leading the Programme by defining, resourcing and managing all aspects of the day-to-day running of the Programme. This includes management or line management as appropriate of contractor, civil servant and military personnel within the MD4IA Programme Office, planned to be 20-strong. 

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

  • Supporting the SRO in discharging his responsibilities for the MD4IA Programme. 
  • Represent the Programme to external and senior stakeholders: MOD, cross-govt, Allies and Industry partners. Role will include UK based travel in line with TCoS. 
  • Guide and support the MD4IA Programme Management Office (PMO) and provide senior level guidance to individual project leads. 
  • Establishing and maintaining governance arrangements for the delivery of the Programme; defining clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities, that align with organisational practice.
  • Consolidating and documenting the fundamental components of the programme (scope, schedule, resource requirements, budgets, risks, opportunities and issues, and quality requirements)
  • Identifying and monitoring programme risks (threats and opportunities) and issues as well as planning and implementing responses to them.
  • Provide oversight and internal assurance of MD4IA and the performance of project managers and their teams. 
  • Continuously improve MD4IA by drawing on lessons from allied programmes and from across Defence and PAG. 
      • Must either have been, or currently be a substantive Group Captain (OF5 or equivalent) or a Wing Commander (OF4 or equivalent) who is eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board.
      • The candidate will ideally be a capable leader able to motivate and encourage others across all rank levels and grades and be able to co-ordinate work carried out by different people and organisations including all Front Line Commands, Strategic Command, DSTL, DE&S and Partners Across Government.
      • Someone who commands respect and trust, is decisive and able to work well under pressure, capable of resolving conflicts, and be good at problem solving.
      • Proven experience in programme management.
      • Proven stakeholder management skills.
      • Proven experience of managing personnel..
      • A strategic thinker with the ability to influence a very wide stakeholder group.
      • Experience of Identifying, addressing and resolving differences between individuals and/or interest groups.
      • Someone with gravitas and focus but an open mind. Someone who embraces change and is content to develop the more esoteric and 'unsung' but utterly non-discretionary elements of Defence capability.
      • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, along with good IT skills.
      • Experience within industry or the armed services, ideally within the EW, intelligence, cyber or data fields, of working in complex and uncertain environments whilst understanding the bigger picture and delivering results under time pressure.
      • Qualifications in programme/project management e.g. MSP, APMP, PRINCE2, M_o_R.

      A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports and CV to down-select those for interview. Interviews will focus upon evidence within the reports and CVEnquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to: 

      Col Ian Hargreaves
      Tel - 44 1526 327393
      Email:  ian.hargreaves775@mod.gov.uk

      Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 4 appraisal reports) should be e-mailed to ian.hargreaves775@mod.gov.uk

      The closing date for applications is 15th October 2021.

      Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the RAFR with a liability for call-out for permanent service. 

      The appointment is on Full Term Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 Chapter 16 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period until 31 August 2025.    

      Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case by case basis. 

      Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Branch & Trade Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview. 

      Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into RAFR service if an appropriate branch/trade sponsor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  Branch/Trade sponsor approval must be agreed before the interview. 

      Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Branch/Trade and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying. 

      Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the QR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391 (Vol 3, Lft 207, Annex L, Para 1a). 

      Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment on Commutation’. 

      Flexible Working Arrangements. In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserves personnel are able to request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage. 

      Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required). 

      Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760

      Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC) TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, be aware that there is a shortage of accommodation in the Lincolnshire area. 

      This opportunity is closed to applications.