WO Discipline Policy

A vacancy has arisen for a Warrant Officer (Pers (Spt)) to serve as Warrant Officer Discipline and Medals Policy at RAF High Wycombe on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 29 July 2024 (or earlier, subject to candidate status).

The Discipline and Medals Policy team (Discip Pol) sits under the Head Personnel Policy / AH A1 Chain of Command, working in close conjunction with Air Personnel Casework (APC). The role offers the opportunity to work in a small team of 3, beside an SO1 and SO2. The team is primarily responsible for driving forward innovating and progressive ideas which aim, as close as possible, to provide a means of addressing disciplinary concerns pertaining to RAF personnel in a manner comparable to the way in which individuals are treated in civilian society. This includes employment issues that may be dealt with by way of the Major Administrative Action Policy (MAAP) and criminal or Service law offences which are dealt with under the Service Justice System (SJS). The team are responsible for influencing and advising on any matters that concern central Tri-Service policy within its Areas of Responsibility (AoR). Additionally, the team lead on all matters concerning medallic recognition that affect the RAF and its personnel, acting as the Service representatives on the Operations Recognition Board Working Group (ORB WG).

The role involves acting as a RAF SME in support of Units and the wider Service with respect to the policies that the team has direct ownership of within AP3392 Vol 4, or any Tri-Service policy which the team has responsibility for on behalf of the Service. Close working relationships with APC, Employment Policy, Career Management, the Legal Advisory team, PJHQ J1, DS Sec, and the MoD Medals Office play a key part in the team’s role to influence or direct positive change in the interests of our people. Discip Pol is a dynamic environment which involves working both independently and also co-operatively as part of a small but close-knit team. Daily work routines will often involve working on various short-term priorities, whilst also attempting to take forward longer term project work. The ability to construct formal written staff work to a high level of competence is a necessity. The ability to manage multiple work strands at once and effectively multi-task across competing priorities is vital. Analytical thinking, research and consultation / engagement skills are a core aspect of the role. The role must ensure that the team’s policies align with and incorporate legislation, Kings Regulations and any other related and parallel policies / guidance which may be stipulated across the wider Service and Defence. The team’s work ultimately assists with the maintaining of operational effectiveness and efficiency by ensuring good order and discipline.

The successful applicant will:

• Maintain an expert knowledge of AP3392 Vol 4 Service Discipline (SD) Policy and Administration Manual, JSP 830: Manual of Service Law (the Service Justice System (SJS) Administration Manual), JSP 761: Honours and Awards.
• Contribute towards policy development and provide SME advice to stakeholders and personnel as and when required.
• Act as a Staff Officer to the SO1 / SO2 and conduct support activities such as research / data collection / third party engagement to assist in the reviewing or creating of policy and the development of process guidance.
• Seek opportunities to improve the team’s ability to influence the wider RAF, engaging with other stakeholders to ensure that the Team’s responsibilities are aligned with the Service need in other business areas.
• Act as the Team Communications Officer to publicise and announce key SD information releases, policy developments, or to arrange mass meetings with Unit SD Staff as and when these are required and publicise all other media releases on behalf of the team.
• Act as a Project Officer to monitor, develop and implement new initiatives or work strands as required.
• Provide a governance and assurance capability by note-taking in key meetings and Boards, ensuring actions are delivered by relevant stakeholders. Actively manage the Team’s archived Sharepoint material and take positive action to improve the retention of key decision making and historical documentation.
• Take positive actions to improve the Team’s overall data collection in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
• Act as a Board Member in support of internal RAF Medals Policy or to support the Team’s role as the RAF Representative on the Tri-Service Operations Recognition Board Working Group.
• Carry out any other work necessary to the efficient function of the team, finding opportunities to exploit existing experience and skills to maximum effect.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Warrant Officer (Pers (Spt)) or a Flight Sergeant (Pers (Spt)) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 560 and AP 3376 Vol 1. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board. If an applicant has been out of full-time military service and is applying for a post on promotion, they will also need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience to be considered by the Promotion Board.

• Must be able to work co-operatively as a member of a small team, whilst having the ability to work independently with minimum supervision on dedicated projects.
• Excellent grammatical skills, attention to detail and care with the written word to ensure that intentions and guidance cannot be misinterpreted.
• Good analytical skills balanced with a common-sense approach to problem solving.
• The ability to view the wider picture and plan pathways that works toward achieving a long-term Service improvement via incremental steps.
• Able to employ effective all-round communication skills to influence others and to make salient points in order to deliver the Service need.
• The ability to successfully present arguments to facilitate positive change in the face of reticent, dismissive, or opposing perspectives.
• The candidate will be well organised and possess excellent inter-personal skills, as close liaison with internal and external agencies including various other RAF teams, the RAF Senior Leadership Team, Army and Royal Navy discipline equivalents, MoD Main Building and Ministerial staff is often required.
• Must be comfortable working with JPA, MODNet, Microsoft Sharepoint, Outlook, Word, and Excel on a daily basis.

• Previous experience in a Service Discipline role.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Mr Scott Coleman

Tel: (+44) 300 154 6741

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Scott.coleman111@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 11 March 2024 and interview (unless prom board required) will take place week commencing 25 March 2024.

Unless already enlisted in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 3 years.

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 Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to 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, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

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 and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can 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/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF High Wycombe.