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Officer Commanding Careers Engagement

Vacancy summary

Royal Air Force
1692684
OF-3 - Lt Cdr - Maj - Sqn Ldr
Squadron Leader

11/05/2023, 23:55 

September 2023
up to 31 Mar 2026
Royal Air Force
Any
Any
RAF Cranwell
Lincolnshire
United Kingdom
FTRS - Home Commitment

Vacancy detail

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader (Any Profession/Specialisation) to serve as OC Careers Engagement (CE) at RAF Cranwell on FTRS (HC) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 4 September 2023 (or earlier, subject to candidate’s status). Please note that whilst currently established on FTRS(HC) TCoS, there may be a possibility (subject to funding) that this position will be re-established on FTRS(LC) TCoS.

 Job Description

Careers Engagement staff are directly responsible for planning, executing, and assessing Recruitment and Selection (R&S) interaction with groups or individuals who are eligible to join the RAF, or may do so in the future. The Officer Commanding CE will oversee the delivery of this engagement nationally and will command all the staff in the five engagement regions of the UK. They will lead the delivery of the Recruiting Force Careers Engagement (CE) optimisation pillar, making necessary workforce plan changes and ensuring business continuity. They will oversee all recruitment CE activity, undertaken by Recruiting Force (RF) personnel, to meet dynamic Into Training Requirements (ITR), prioritising the achievement of diversity targets, the filling of priority professions and trades, alignment with recruiting levels of ambition, Gatsby good careers guidance benchmarks and national delivery/support contractors. OC CE is responsible, to the Recruiting Force (RF) Cdr, for the day-to-day management and administration of the CE personnel and their activity.  The role requires national travel and regular attendance at HQ R&S at Cranwell. The role requires the OC CE to ensure that all staff are adequately trained in engagement delivery through attendance on the PSTS course at Cranwell, Facilitation Training and all Mandatory Military and Civil Service Courses. 

Job Specification:

Individual Role.

•    Command and Control (C2) of all Careers Engagement (CE) personnel; responsible for their selection, training, governance, performance management, discipline, Health & Safety, safeguarding, welfare and career development.

•    Production of the RF National Careers Engagement Plan (CEP) derivative from overarching R&S strategy on behalf of Gp Capt R&S.

•    Manage and optimise corporate relationships with the Careers Enterprise Company(CEC), DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) in Scotland and NI Direct for Northern Ireland. Manage/optimise relationships with any other organisations/charities beneficial to delivering attract activity to a diverse audience i.e. Speakers 4 Schools and Not Going to Uni.

•    Develop/Manage an effective Engagement database. Provide evidence based monthly and on demand CE effectiveness analysis to SO1 Attract and the RF Cdr.

•    Work with SO2s RF, COS Marketing, D&I Policy, Ethnic Minority Recruiting and Air stakeholders i.e. Air media, Reserves Employer team) and RF Regional Cdrs to deliver a harmonised, cohesive, and effective CEP, mindful of AFRP and sister Services.

•    SME input into the Astra Recruitment & Selection Project, AFRP and any other projects, as required.

•    Ensure personnel have adequate equipment to undertake their duties.

Core Objectives

All R&S personnel are responsible through the CoC to Gp Capt R&S for meeting the following core objectives:

•    Main Effort (ME). Achieve the specified degree of candidate diversity within the delivery of the ITRs.

•    Women. Raising the profile to improve women representation across all professions through focused careers engagement, marketing, and recruitment practices, in support of the PM’s directive.

•    Ethnic Minorities (EM). Raising the profile to improve EM representation across all professions through focused careers engagement, marketing, and recruitment practices, in support of the PM’s directive

•    Under 18s. Improving recruitment of Under 18s, with an emphasis on Apprenticeships and DfE guidance that allows students to leave school at 16 for an RAF career, through focused engagement, marketing, and recruitment practises that informs candidates, their parents (or carers) and the broader education community. 

  • Must either have been, or currently be, a Squadron Leader (Any Profession) or a Flight Lieutenant (Any Profession) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board.
  • Must have considerable command experience at either SO2 or SO3 level.
  • Must have previous experience of RAF recruiting and/or delivering engagement activity on behalf of the RAF.
  • Must possess excellent communication and presentational skills.
  • Must be prepared to work autonomously and prioritise workload without close supervision, albeit with recourse to advice and direction from OC CE and senior personnel within the HQ R&S Chain of Command.
  • Must be prepared to travel routinely throughout the UK to visit the 5 engagement regions and to HQ R&S at RAF Cranwell as required for Co-ord Meetings with the RF Commander, OC CE, and other senior personnel.
  • Must possess a full UK driving licence.
  • Depending on previous experience, the successful applicant will be required to attend key elements of the PSTS Recruiters’ Course held at HQ R&S.
  • The successful applicant will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
  • Should have practical experience of working with Educational Establishments, and with other external bodies/agencies.
  • Should have broad Service and administrative experience, with an adequate knowledge and understanding of all current RAF Professions and Specialisations.
  • Should demonstrate first class verbal and written communication skills.
  • Should possess a strong working knowledge of basic IT (MODNET and MS Apps).
  • Should have some experience of working with, or as a member of the RAF Air Cadet organisation.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, including sifting on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports and then a face to face or virtual interview as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name:  Flt Lt Jim Tait
E-mail  Jim.Tait497@mod.gov.uk
Tel: 07970324551

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

Flt Lt Jim Tait
SO3 Attract Plans East
AFCO Leeds
Jim.Tait497@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 11 May 2023 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place shortly afterwards.

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

The appointment is on FTRS (Home Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period until 31 Mar 26. Please note that whilst currently established on FTRS(HC) TCoS, there may be a possibility (subject to funding) that this position will be re-established on FTRS(LC) TCoS. 

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.

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. This will be subject to the availability of Service accommodation.

This opportunity is closed to applications.