DEP CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

A vacancy has arisen for a Warrant Officer or Flight Lieutenant, or an equivalent rank from the Sister Services, to serve as the Deputy Corporate Engagement and Relations Officer (Dep CERO) at RAF Shawbury on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 04 April 2022 (or earlier depending on candidate circumstances).

RAF Shawbury is a busy tri-Service Phase 2 and Phase 3 training unit, home to the Defence College of Air and Space Operations and Number 1 Flying Training School. The Corporate Engagement and Relations team is responsible for the coordination, control and direction of all media, engagement and community relations activities relating to RAF Shawbury, in line with the RAF Engagement Strategy. 

You will be responsible for assisting and deputising for the CERO; this will include responsibility for:

• The delivery of community and flight safety campaigns within Low Flying Area 9 (LFA 9).
• Liaison with Air Media and/or MOD DDC staff, as appropriate, on all matters at RAF Shawbury which are liable to arouse media or community interest.
• Maximising positive media publicity for RAF Shawbury to reflect all aspects of the Station’s output.
• Providing advice and guidance to Station Executives when confronted with potentially adverse, negative or unfavourable events liable to be of interest to the media or the local community.
• The drafting and distribution of Press Releases and social media posts and monitoring activity and outputs.
• Engagement with regional and national radio and TV and the organisation of media facilities in support of RAF Shawbury’s output.
• Ensuring that the RAF Shawbury website is current and conforms to digital media policy, including branding and accessibility.
• Sharing the roster of Duty Media Communications’ Officer (MCO) to ensure that RAF Shawbury has 24/7 cover for any media incident.
• Handling all aspects of low flying and noise complaints in accordance with current policy.
• Collating and analysing low flying complaints, identifying trends and presenting the information at unit safety and community engagement meetings.
• Arranging visits and events involving VIPs, local community groups, parish councils and other organisations in accordance with RAF Shawbury’s engagement plan.
• Engaging with Local Planning Authorities and DIO Planning and Safeguarding teams to ensure that RAF Shawbury is consulted on developments that could impact on RAF Shawbury’s operating areas in LFA 9.
• Supporting the Station’s STEM activities with local schools and youth groups.
• Managing the Station Commander’s Community Engagement Fund.

• Must either have been, or currently be, a Warrant Officer or Flight Lieutenant (ANY).

• Defence Communicator Course qualification.
• Experience of media or defence communications.
• An understanding of the UK Low Flying System.
• Experience of handling noise complaints or community engagement.
• Knowledge of rotary operations.                          

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

Name: Squadron Leader Kim Leach

Tel: via skype 0300 1610534

Email: kim.leach347@mod.gov.uk

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

Kim.leach347@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 03 November 2021.

Interviews will take place week commencing 15 November 2021

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the RAFR 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 Chapter 16 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.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into RAFR service if an appropriate branch/trade sponsor can be identified to sponsor the applicant. Branch/trade sponsor 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, Branch/Trade 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. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment on Commutation’.

Flexible Working Arrangements. In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserves personnel are able to 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.