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SO2 Airworthiness QM Policy & CEQA

Vacancy summary

Royal Air Force
2141649
OF-3 - Lt Cdr - Maj - Sqn Ldr
Squadron Leader

10/03/2023, 23:55 

April 2023
5 years
Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Army
Engineer, Engineering
Aerosystems (AS)
HQ Air Command
Buckinghamshire
United Kingdom
FTRS - Limited Commitment

Vacancy detail

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader Engineer (Aerosystems) to serve as SO2 Airworthiness Quality Management Policy & Command External Quality Audit at RAF High Wycombe (HQ Air Command) on Full-Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date no earlier than 06 April 2023.

An exciting team leader role within Headquarters Air Command, responsible for the RAF’s Quality Management Policy and coordinating and leading Commands External Quality Audits across the Air Command organisation. This post requires travel to various RAF UK and overseas locations to gather evidence regarding the efficacy of Quality Management Systems in place to manage engineering, logistics, safety and airworthiness activity.

Job responsibilities:

  • Lead an 8-person Whole Force team delivering Quality Management Policy (QM Pol) and Command External Quality Audit (CEQA) duties
  • Influence high-level Quality policy generation through direct engagement with Military Airworthiness Authority (MAA) and Quality & Configuration Management (QCM) Policy, plus attending policy forums.
  • Maintain the AP100C-10 - RAF Quality Management System (QMS) Policy, mid-level policy, to reflect beneficial practice and high-level policy requirements.
  • Coordinate/lead External Quality Audits (2nd Party assurance) of Air Command and deployed units, focusing on engineering, logistics and safety activities, plus the delivery of Continuing Airworthiness tasks by the RAF’s Continuing Airworthiness Management Organizations (CAMO).
  • Mentor and advise RAF units on Quality policy and acceptable means of regulatory compliance to enhance conformity and maturity levels across the Service.
  • Act as desk-level Training Requirements Authority (TRA) for RAF Quality training.
  • Provide routine feedback (including an annual report) to the chain of command, including Inspector Airworthiness, on audit results, trends and risks.
  • Work with other assurance organisations (RAF and wider MOD) to deconflict and optimise 2nd Party assurance efforts.
  • Routinely staff and update a Memorandum of Understanding between the members of the Joint Quality Assurance Working Group to articulate responsibilities and mutual support requirements.
  • Liaise with RAF Career Management or other organisations to ensure staff levels are maintained as near as possible to establishment levels within the QM Pol & CEQA Team.
  • Mentor and develop the QM Pol & CEQA Team members to enhance Quality and auditing skills to maximise value to the audited community.
  • Ensure the correct management of the QM Pol & CEQA Team members (including Reserve personnel attached to the Team) through the completion of all necessary administrative actions and mandatory training.
  • Maintain security standards in accordance with the A4 Division Security Orders.
  • Ensure sufficient business continuity measures are in place to maintain essential outputs during any disruptions, in accordance with the A4 Business Continuity Plan.
  • Deputize for SO1 Aw&QM Pol on Quality matters as required.

Depending on existing competencies, training provided may include:

  • ISO 9001:2015 QMS Auditor/Lead Auditor Training Course (civilian training provider).
  • QMS Audit Skills Course, through Specialist Training Squadron Quality Management, RAF Halton.
  • TR75 CAMO Regulatory Training (delivered by Baines Simmons at multiple RAF locations).
  • TT08 CAMO Functional Training (delivered by Baines Simmons at multiple RAF locations).
  • Initial Officer Development (IOD) Programme courses 4 and 5 (delivered at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham).

Remote working: This post has significant scope for remote working from the parent unit (RAF High Wycombe) where the use of virtual capabilities will be optimised, but travel will be required to conduct audits (including overseas locations). Audit durations vary with the complexity of the organisation being assessed, but a working assumption of 1-2 audits per month of between 3-7 working days duration is an indicative level.

Travel for primary duties: Post requires ability to travel to audit locations (UK RAF Stations, overseas Permanent Joint Operating Bases (PJOB) and Deployed Operating Bases (DOB)). Travel may be occasionally required at weekends to conduct audit activity during the whole of the working week. Time off in lieu will be agreed when weekends are used.

Officers must either have been, or currently be, a Squadron Leader Engineer (Aerosystems) or a Flight Lieutenant Engineer (Aerosystems) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. 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.    

  • Incorporated Engineer, IEng (Engineering Council UK Recognition), with support given to attain Chartered Engineer (CEng) status once in post. Professional fees for IEng/CEng will be paid for by the RAF.
  • Experience of applying a Quality Management System within the Defence Air Environment.
  • Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven investigative/auditing skills.
  • Previously held substantive Squadron Leader/OF3 rank, but Flight Lieutenant applicants will also be considered. All promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board.
  • Experience working in or with a Continuing Airworthiness management Organisation (CAMO).
  • Command experience within the Engineering Profession/Engineer(Aerosystems) Branch at Squadron Leader rank (e.g. SEngO, OC ESS, XO ELW), but will consider Command posts at Flt Lt rank if applicant does not have Sqn Ldr experience.
  • Deployed experience within the Engineering Profession/Engineer Branch at Flight Lieutenant or Squadron Leader rank.
  • Experience in auditing or leading audits of Quality Management Systems.
  • Previously completed staff duties or completed staff work suitable for OF5/1* audience.

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

Name: Wing Commander David Oatley, SO1 Airworthiness & Quality Management Policy

Email: david.oatley599@mod.gov.uk

Tel: 0300 163 7221

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

Wing Commander David Oatley, SO1 Airworthiness & Quality Management Policy

Email: david.oatley599@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 10 March 2023. Interviews will take place week commencing 20 March 2023 unless a promotion board is required.

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 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 5 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.

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 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) 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.

This opportunity is closed to applications.