SQN HQ XO

A vacancy has arisen for a FS, WO, MAcr or Flt Lt - Any Profession - to serve as SQN HQ XO on 2503 Sqn RAuxAF at RAF Waddington on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 02 November 2026 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status).

Brief description of role. Responsible to the OC, for the day-to-day running of the Squadron and supervision of A1/A4 Permanent and PTVR Staff in the execution of their duties.

• All matters concerning the organisation and satisfactory running of the Sqn administration, logistics and engineering.
• As the Unit Employer Support Officer (UESO), maintain links East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, Defence Relationship Management and the employers of the Sqn’s Reservist personnel. The UESO will act as the primary POC for all employment issues and therefore is to remain current on all employment related policies.
• As the Unit Security Officer will be responsible for all Sqn security matters.
• Coordinate the administration of mobilised personnel.
• Coordinate trawls and requests for personnel.
• Sqn Personal Information Asset Custodian and Information Manager.
• Act as the Sqn Welfare Officer and provide support and advice as required.
• As the Sqn MT Officer, ensure the MT JNCO produces Sqn MT Orders that reflect the relevant contents of Stn MT Orders and which cover essential driving practices, and that all Sqn drivers have read and signed orders annually.
• As the Sqn Supply Officer, manage clothing and equipment iaw current policies.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Flt Lt – Any Profession.

OR

Must either have been, or currently be, a FS, WO or MAcr – Any Profession.

• Previous Adjutant/XO experience.
• Have experience of working in a post associated with the RAuxAF.
• Must be IT literate with experience of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proven profile of high-grade staff skills, including oral and written communications and attention to detail.
• Proven experience of interpersonal skills and team-working ability with a diverse group of individuals, including tri-Service, Civil Service and civilian contractor personnel.
• Evidence of Project Management experience.
• Completed the UESO course.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 (for aviators)/4 (for officers) appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name:  Sqn Ldr John Jackson

Email:   john.jackson196@mod.gov.uk

Tel:       Teams: +44 303 384 1156

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Sqn Ldr John Jackson

OC 2503 Sqn

RAF Waddington

Lincoln

Lincolnshire

LN5 9NB

Email:   john.jackson196@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 12 June 2026 and interviews will take place week commencing 22 June 2026.

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

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited 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 must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior 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.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. This post is non deployable and/or has safety critical elements and/or involves operational support activity and/or is not sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 does not apply.

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 Waddington.