Assistant Head Doctrine

A vacancy has arisen for a Group Captain (Any Branch to serve as Assistant Head Doctrine at Shrivenham  on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 04 April 2022 (or earlier depending on candidate circumstances).

Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) is responsible for the development and delivery of horizon scanning, strategic analysis, joint concepts and doctrine in support of defence policy and strategy makers. The Assistant Head Doctrine post support the Hd Doctrine, advising on all Doctrine issues and manages and oversees all DCDC doctrinal products until final endorsement.

Specific tasks include:

• Support Hd Doctrine, advising on all Doctrine issues. Manage and oversee all DCDC doctrinal products until final endorsement. Lead a team of doctrine writers. Co-ordinate Joint Doctrine Steering Committee activity.
• Act as UK Head of delegation at the Allied Joint Operational Doctrine Working Gp and the Military Committee Joint Standardisation Board.
• Act as the DCDC lead at the 5 eyes level, continually developing and maintaining close working relationships with member countries.
• Draw on lessons from military operations and exercises to write authoritative joint doctrine for senior review and endorsement.
• Sustain and develop close working relationships with MoD, UKStratCom, single service/joint commands, warfare centres and operational HQs to promote, assess and review UK operational level doctrine.
• Advise on the relative priority of in-year work and proposed new work in conjunction with priorities established by DG JFD, Dir DCDC and the DCDC Doctrine Strategy and set against DCDC budget.
• Engage with academia on doctrine issues to ensure that DCDC doctrine is academically robust.
• Maintain close contact and regular dialogue with key NATO and other international partners concerned with doctrine issues

• (Officers) Must either have been, or currently be, a Group Captain – Any Branch
• SC (or able to attain SC)

• NATO Standardisation Office Orientation Course (Can be completed as on the job training)
• Professional Effectiveness: Shows clear understanding of professional environment; demonstrates knowledge of service matters and military doctrine; displays interest in wider aspects of Defence and current affairs.
• Initiative: Anticipates and resolves problems; displays enterprise and is willing to take appropriate action.

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:

Gp Capt Martin Ogden

Tel: 96161 4254 or civ 01793 784254

email Martin.Ogden105@mod.gov.uk

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

Sqn Ldr Davina Fisher, SO2 Reserves JFD,   Davina.Fisher159@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 03 November 2021.

Interviews will take place week commencing 08 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 (Home 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 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 Branch & Trade 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 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 JFD.