RAF COMMANDER

A vacancy will arise for a Squadron Leader to serve as RAF Commander at RAF Lakenheath on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with a start date being not before 7 June 2021.

Although not an in-command appointment, the post holder will be HQ AIR’s senior MOD representative on the USAF 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, providing military advice and liaising with the on base US leadership and UK civil authorities on various issues of policy and regulation. The post of RAF Commander at RAF Lakenheath also covers the satellite unit of RAF Feltwell, which is under the auspices of the 48th Fighter Wing.

The post holder will have duty of care functional safety responsibilities for the MOD (Air TLB) Civil Service workforce on behalf of Gp Capt United States Visiting Forces (USVF) and will also liaise with DIO on management of the MOD’s estate during a busy period of infrastructure changes with the arrival of new aircraft and mission sets.

Role:

• Act as the local RAF Liaison Officer to provide advice and support to the CO 48th Fighter Wing in his capacity as US Base Commander and those of resident US units for all matters of UK policy and protocol. 
• Establish and maintain close liaison with the appropriate UK authorities, including dealing with flying and other complaints from UK sources and representing the base at local council meetings.
• Attend local events to represent the Royal Air Force, some of which will be at weekends and outside of normal working hours.
• Protect the Royal Air Force’s reputation locally with the USVF and wider communities.
• Be prepared to deputise for the Senior RAF Liaison Officer in the Host Nation Coordination Cell in USAFE HQ, RAF Mildenhall, in meetings that cover wider USVF issues.
• Convene and preside over all siting, handover and takeover boards, in close liaison with DIO.
• Take part in and advise US Commanders on UK procedures during Exercises and Incidents, where appropriate.
• Co-Chair the Station Health, Environment and Protection Committee, with US colleagues, to ensure that where differences exist between Safety & Environmental standards, the most stringent are applied.
• Have delegated responsibility (from Gp Capt USVF) for Health and Safety (H&S) duty-of-care functional safety of all HQ AIR funded MoD staff on site.
• Ensure that all HQ AIR funded MOD staff are conversant with MOD D&I Policy and working with MODLO staff to ensure that any instances of Bullying and Harassment are investigated and dealt with appropriately.
• Assist the local DIO Manager and the respective DIO Land Agent in ensuring the USVF deliver their responsibilities for the management of the MOD estate.
• Act as the focal point for all MOD personnel.

• Must either have been, or currently be a substantive Squadron Leader.
• Be both diplomatic and politically astute.
• Have good interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Have HQ staff experience and be able to produce sound staff work.
• Be familiar with the requirements of Functional Safety.
• Be self-reliant and calm under pressure.
• Must hold or gain a DV (STRAP) clearance.

• Have experience of working within a multi-national environment.
• ICSC or IOD qualified.
• Have a diverse service experience including as many aspects as possible from: Operations, Security, Estate, Personnel Management and Corporate Communications.
• Have experience of managing Functional Safety and Environmental Protection.
• Have a successful track record on representational duties and willingness to maintain a high profile locally (both on and off base).

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

mailto:helen.miller165@mod.gov.uk

Wg Cdr Helen Miller
Email: helen.miller165@mod.gov.uk

Applications. Candidate applications, with a maximum 2 page CV (to include copies of last 4 appraisal reports) can either be emailed to helen.miller165@mod.gov.uk or sent via post to: 

Wg Cdr Helen Miller MA
SRAFLO
HNCC USAFE-UK
RAF Mildenhall
Suffolk
IP28 8NF

The closing date for applications is 15 April 2021. 

Interviews will likely take place in the week commencing 19 April 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 4 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. 

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 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. However, there is no SLA available at RAF Mildenhall and TCoS do not allow the provision of Substitute Service SLA. There may be SLA available at RAF Honington subject to local priorities.