SCT PANELLIST

Subject to formal establishment, two vacancies will arise for Group Captains (Any Profession) to serve as SCT Panellists within the Service Complaints Team at RAF High Wycombe. These positions will be offered on Volunteer ex-Regular Reserve Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS) for a maximum duration of 90 days, with an anticipated start date of 03 August 2026, subject to candidate availability. Flexible working arrangements, including the option to work from an Alternative Working Address, may be available and will be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with the requirements of the Service and the individual.

The role is responsible for:

• Ensuring the timely progression of the complaint.  The RAF SC Journey provides a standard timescale you should use or adapt to the circumstances of this complaint.
• Ensuring that a thorough investigation of the complaint takes place and the Complainant, and all Participants/Respondents are given opportunity to comment on the said investigation.
• Determine if the complaint is well-founded and if so, determine what redress if any, is within your authority, would be appropriate, and to grant any such redress.
• Exploring appropriate informal resolution opportunities (as long as such exploration does not unduly delay the progression of the complaint itself.
• Ensuring the Complainant and all Respondents/Participants are kept informed of progress of the complaint (to also include explaining why any delays or administrative errors have taken place and how you intend to rectify any such issues.
• When appropriate, debriefing your decisions to the Complainant and all Respondents.
• Capturing in your formal record of decision whether there are any Organisational Learning issues arising from this complaint. Ensuring feedback links are sent to all parties at the conclusion of the complaint via the Case Manager.
• Keeping a detailed record of your actions as the SCT Panellist.
• Act as the Acceptance Officer, reviewing submitted complaints to determine whether they meet the criteria for admissibility in accordance with relevant policies and regulations.
• Ensure decisions on admissibility or inadmissibility are made promptly and communicated effectively to all relevant parties.
• Collaborate with legal advisors to ensure that all decisions and actions taken during the service complaints process are legally sound and compliant with relevant legislation.
• Seek legal advice on complex or contentious cases to ensure that decisions are robust and defensible.
• Ensure that legal considerations are appropriately documented and incorporated into the decision-making process.
• Undertake any other tasks or responsibilities as directed by the SO1, ensuring the effective delivery of the service complaints process and supporting the wider objectives of the organisation.

• Must either have been, or currently be, a Group Captain (RAF), Colonel (Army), Captain (Navy) – Any Profession.   
• Must be able to travel to HQ Air for training, briefings and liaison and to other MoD units or nearby locations as required. Initial and refresher training and an annual conference are to be attended, each being approximately a day in duration.
• A broad level of Service knowledge.
• Sufficiently competent in IT to work remotely with a MODNet laptop.  Specifically, the ability to effectively operate MS Outlook, MS Word and MS Excel, MS Teams.

• Understanding/experience of the post-2016 SC process as set out in JSP 831.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor qualified (was Equality and Diversity Advisor).
• Knowledge of Joint/ Single Service policies relating to personnel, particularly Terms and Conditions of Service, Diversity and Inclusion and Manning.

Training.  The successful candidates will receive training appropriate to the role, including:

• Diversity and Inclusion (inc Unconscious Bias)
• Data Protection (inc Defence Information Management Passport)
• IT Training if required.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports for Officers.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Mrs Jessica Alpert (Jessica.Alpert101@mod.gov.uk)

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 4 appraisal reports should be sent to:

Name: Mrs Jessica Alpert (Jessica.Alpert101@mod.gov.uk)

The closing date for applications is 16th June 26 and interviews will likely take place shortly after.

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

The appointment is on Volunteer ex-Regular Reserve TCoS (90 days) in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of up to 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.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  The relevant Profession’s advisor 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, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies.

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 (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 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 VeRR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation.