Sea Cadet Corps – Southern Area Officer

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity delivering life changing nautical adventure for young people through the Sea cadets together with personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers with the Marine Society.  Working with our staff, cadets and volunteers, we have built a vision and strategy to take us forward and further improve the astounding contribution already made through our work to the lives of young people and seafarers, whilst fully supporting our volunteers who are vital to our success. 
Our Vision for the MSSC is: To be the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning
For Sea Cadets it is: To give young people the best possible head start in life through nautical adventure and fun. 
We are guided by our values of:Respect, Loyalty, Commitment, Self-Discipline, Honesty, Integrity and Courage. 

Role Detail

The Area Officer reports to the Director of Operations/ Captain Sea Cadets.  The post holder will work closely with the NSC management Team and will be based at the Southern Area Office, HMS NELSON.
This role requires regular evening and weekend work visiting Sea Cadet units and engaging with both cadets and volunteers.  
Appointment to this role is on FTRS(FC) TCoS in accordance with BR64.
Due to the nature of the work, this post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the post holder will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 
Relationship with the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy (RN) 

The Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) has two principal sponsors, the Maritime Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) of which the SCC is part and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).  A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between them sets out their common interest in supporting the Sea Cadet Corps.  MOD supports the SCC by providing the MSSC with an annual Grant-in-Aid, loaning it equipment and a small number of serving Royal Naval and Royal Marines personnel and providing access to certain MOD facilities. MOD also indemnifies the MSSC and Sea cadet Units against liabilities and claims resulting from those Sea Cadet activities which are defined as Authorised Activities and which are listed in the MOU and in Sea Cadet Regulations(SCR).  The legal and financial arrangements of the MOU are supplemented by a partnering charter which outlines a common vision for the relationship between the RN and MSSC. 

Area Officers need to work in line with this agreement:
- Representation – Under the terms of the MOU, the MOD expects that the SCC operating standards will promote the customs, traditions, culture and uniforms of the Royal Navy in the best possible light, acting as a role model for cadets and volunteers. 

The Primary Purposes of the role are to:

- Lead and manage all SCC operations in Area, ensuring that they are consistent with MSSC's Vision and Strategy and appropriate to a youth organisation, and conducted where appropriate in accordance with the ethos and the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy.  - Lead and manage the Area Team (this includes management of day-to-day activities and guidance of team members and the Senior Staff Officer (the senior uniformed volunteer)  - Overall accountability for the area budget and asset registers, signing off the Area Plan and standing instructions, and through the Training Safety Advisors ensure proper use and accounting of all Area assets. 

•  Support, assure and inspect units; signing off annually on each unit's authority to train and staffing Area input into the Unit Review (training quality assurance process for those units undergoing Royal Navy parades). 
• Lead, manage and participate in designated development projects and delegate projects to members of the Area Team, as appropriate and according to specialism

 
Secondary Purposes

•  Recommend annually to CSC the efficiency award for each unit.
• Promote to all staff and Volunteers the MSSC Vision and Strategy, an understanding of the Area objectives, how they fit within the wider objectives of the organisation, and work together to achieve it. It is to be noted that most team members will have functional reports to members of the National Support Centre (NSC) as part of the management matrix. 
•  To promote consistently the MSSC and the SCC as well as the ethos, customs and traditions of the Royal Navy acting as a role model for cadets and volunteers. 

The Area Officer is authorised to:

• Appoint the Senior Staff Officer, District Officers, Area Staff Officers and Champions, Company Commander, Commanding Officers and Officers in Charge in accordance with Sea Cadet Regulations (SCRs). 
•  Liaise with other MSSC staff and the appropriate Naval Regional Commanders (NRCs), Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations and other relevant Service organisations and authorities in pursuit of his/her duties. 
• 
  Oversee the Area Budget within control totals set by MSSC NSC and expend MOD and MSSC funds according to the purpose of their allocation. 
• 
  Correspond with outside authorities on matters specifically concerning the operation of the Area. 

Key functions of the Area Officer:

• Lead and oversee all SCC operations in the Area within the framework of MSSC's Vision and Strategy, taking ownership of and monitoring NSC's strategic targets for the Area and ensuring alignment of Area targets to NSC objectives. Sign-off on Area Annual Plan and standing instructions. 
• 
  Oversee Area Sea Cadet operations to ensure that they are conducted to the highest safety standards and in keeping with MSSC's Vision and Strategy. 
• 
  Engage with MSSC NSC and other Areas in the development of strategy, policy and in-year management planning 
• 
  Lead and manage delegated Area development projects and assist and/or lead in staffing of appropriate national policies and projects as delegated by NSC. 
• 
  Lead the Area Management Team (including senior volunteers) and act as Head of Department for all Area Office employees, supporting the recruitment of candidates for Area roles. 
  
  
• Lead the Authority to Train (assurance) process for the Area, supervising the TSAs
• 
  Deal with incidents and complaints against members of the Corps 
• 
  Oversee the Senior Staff Officer 
• 
  Lead the expansion of units and recruitment of volunteers and cadets and support priority units 
• 
  Represent MSSC and the SCC at National and Area competitions 
• 
  Act as the focal point for Area communications and media issues. 
• 
  Develop new opportunities and maintain appropriate links between the Area, regional bodies and potential supporters and funders. 
  
  Engage with Naval Regional Commanders and MSSC Branches in the Area to generate support and maximise opportunities and benefits for the Sea Cadets. 
  
  
• Engage with RFCA, MoD estate and other youth organisations 
• 
  Act as authorising officer for weapons movements. 
• 
  Maintain liaison with the Area senior cadet(s) and to promote the Area Cadet forum
•  
  Recommend MSSC and Sea Cadets staff for National Honours and Awards 
  
  Other Duties 

In order to deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above.  Such duties, however, should not normally exceed those expected of an employee at that level.  All employees are expected to take responsibility and comply with MSSC policies, procedures and training requirements, particularly in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and equality, diversity and inclusion.  All employees must be familiar with and comply will all aspects of MSSC policies. 

Must be an OF4 of ANY specialisation. OF3 applicants with a recommend for the next higher rank in their most recent OJAR may be considered. 

OF5 applicants, if successful, will only be paid as and normally wear the rank of ***.

Must be serving as a member of the Reserve Forces or have served with the Regular Forces.

Applicants will undergo an initial eligibility sift. Successful applicants will have their details forwarded to the Post Sponsor to arrange interviews. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised accordingly.

Following interviews; the successful applicant will be informed that they are the Preferred Candidate with details being sent to the CM RES FTRS Cell who will continue the recruitment process. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised accordingly.

Once the recruitment process is complete then the Preferred Candidate will be invited to take up FTRS.

The start date is the anticipated one however, applicants should be aware a number of factors will potentially impact on this including the completion of pre-employment checks, medical category confirmation and the award of a Security Clearance. The start date could therefore be adjusted as appropriate – earlier for a fully qualified person with their and the employers agreement, or later if approvals cannot be immediately completed.

INITIAL COMMITMENT LENGTH WILL NORMALLY BE 24 MONTHS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO EXTEND

The start date will be ASAP

Eligibility for FTRS/ADC

Any member of the Maritime Part Time Volunteer Reserves (RNR, RMR) or the Royal Fleet Reserves (RFR) (Ex-Regular Reserve) may volunteer to undertake a period of FTRS/ADC. Ex-Regular personnel whose RFR liability has run out will be re-instated in the RFR to take up FTRS/ADC.

Applicants undertaking a period of FTRS/ADC must be suitably qualified by rank/rate, specialisation, qualifications and experience to fill the posts for which they apply.

Applications will be accepted from reservists who hold a rank/rate one or more above the advertised rank/rate or hold a rank/rate one below the advertised rank/rate.  

• Applicants one rate below may be interviewed at the discretion of the FTRS Cell/Line Manager and may be employed in the acting higher rate (excluding the advertised rate of WO2 or WO1) if they are suitable, qualified, meet current promotion regulations in all respects and are selected to do so. Otherwise, they will be given the opportunity to carry out the role in their substantive rank/rate; the payment of Substitution Pay (SUPA) may be considered by the employer.
• Applicants of a higher rank/rate prepared to serve in a position at a lower rank/rate than their current or former substantive rank will wear uniform, and be paid, at the Upper Rank/Rate’ level appropriate to that of the position on JPA. Exceptions will not normally be considered.

Ex-Regular Reserves of an equivalent rank from the Army or Royal Air Force are required to join the Maritime Reserves (RNR/RMR) before being eligible to apply.

Medical/Dental

Applicants must also be medically fit, and meet the minimum medical category required for the level of commitment, to fulfil the duties which their Commitment will require them to undertake.

• A medical form to confirm MedCat and suitability to be employed is required to be returned within 2 weeks of commencing the role, or the commitment may be revoked.

Personnel who have been discharged via the RN Medical Board of Survey (MOBS) or the RN Medical Employability Board (MEB), do not have a RFR liability and are therefore unable to be considered for any FTRS/ADC/VERR role.

Only personnel on FTRS(FC) commitments will be entitled to the full range of Service Medical and Dental support. Those on lower levels will be entitled to emergency medical support whilst on duty.

Pension Issues. 

Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Reserves/Re-employment Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking FTRS service has on their pension, EDP, Resettlement Grant or Terminal Benefits.

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 and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant. Other organisations such as the Armed Forces Pension Society or the White Ensign Association may also be able to offer advice, but it is stressed that only DBS can provide an authoritative answer.

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. 

Naval Core Training (NCT), Individual Training Requirement (IRT) and Defence Mandated Training (DMT)

 Personnel on FTRS commitments are required to maintain currency in NCT, IRT and MDT in alignment with the rest of the RN/RM. The successful applicant will be expected to complete all modules and have them recorded on JPA within 2 months of commencing employment. This is an employer’s responsibility to monitor. 

• RNFT

Personnel on FTRS Limited/Home/ADC/VERRs commitments are exempt the RNFT, unless they are a member of the RNR/RMR who should remain in date.

 Annual Salary and Leave. 

Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the Armed Forces annually, and as governed by JSP 754.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760. Note, you are not able to carry forward leave from a Regular commission/engagement when commencing an FTRS Commitment or from one FTRS Commitment role to another FTRS Commitment role.

Allowances.

Entitlement to allowances is in accordance with JSP 754 however the following should be noted:

Get you Home (Travel)                  Only paid to qualifying personnel on FTRS(FC)

Home Duty Travel                          Only paid to qualifying personnel on FTRS(FC)

Accommodation.

Personnel serving on FTRS(FC) TCoS are entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Families Accommodation (SFA) as per Regular entitlements. 

Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are only eligible to occupy surplus Single Living Accommodation (SLA), at non-entitled rates.

Personnel serving on VeRR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation.

Applications for this job are to be submitted via SERVE please click the APPLY button below.