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RAF COMMANDER

Vacancy summary

Royal Air Force
1045655
OF-3 - Lt Cdr - Maj - Sqn Ldr
Squadron Leader

07/12/2022, 23:55 

June 2023
4 years
Royal Air Force
Any
Any
RAF Menwith Hill
North Yorkshire
United Kingdom
FTRS - Limited Commitment

Vacancy detail

A vacancy will arise for a Squadron Leader (any profession) to serve as RAF Commander at RAF Menwith Hill on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 19 Jun 23.

Although not an in-command appointment, the post holder will be HQ Air’s senior MOD representative on RAF Menwith Hill acting as the local RAF Liaison Officer, providing advice and liaising with the on-base USVF leadership team as well as UK civil authorities on various issues of policy and regulation.

The post holder will have H&S duty of care functional safety responsibilities for any MOD (Air TLB) Civil Service workforce on behalf of Gp Capt United States Visiting Forces (USVF) and will also liaise with DIO on issues surrounding the management and development of the MOD’s estate. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Military Liaison and Community Relations:

- Act as the local RAF Liaison Officer at RAF Menwith Hill under the title, ‘RAF Cdr’ to provide advice and support to the USVF base commander, 501 Combat Support Wing (501CSW) US installation commander through the 421st ABS Director), and the commanders of other US tenant units for all matters of UK military liaison, policy and protocol.

- Establish and maintain close working liaison relationships with the appropriate UK local and regional authorities associated with RAF Menwith Hill.

- Advise USVF leadership to ensure that UK emergency response procedures are followed and facilitate USVF participation in operational training activities through effective liaison with UK authorities, Police and Emergency Services.

- Represent the Royal Air Force at events within the local community (towns near to RAF Menwith Hill), understanding that some of these events will be held at weekends and outside of normal working hours.

- Deal with local complaints and enquiries from UK sources, co-ordinating information and responses with USVF agencies where necessary.

- Protect the Royal Air Force’s reputation with the USVF and wider communities.

- Infrastructure

- Convene and preside over siting boards as appropriate, in close liaison with DIO.

- Assist in co-ordinating and facilitating USVF base responses to planning and development queries with local authorities and DIO.

-  Liaise with DIO to facilitate environmental compliance issues.

- Assist the local DIO Managers’ and the respective DIO Land Agents in ensuring the USVF deliver their responsibilities for the management of the MOD estate.

Health & Safety.

- Have delegated functional safety responsibilities for any HQ AIR-funded MOD staff at RAF Menwith Hill.

- Act as the focal point for all MOD personnel, assisted by the nominated H&S adviser under Gp Capt USVF, and signpost H&S queries to respective TLB chains on matters likely to include the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Diversity & Inclusion.

- Work with the MOD Base Support Teams to ensure that MOD staff are conversant with MOD D&I Policy. Be prepared to liaise with appropriate USVF and MoD authorities to ensure that any instances of bullying and harassment are investigated and dealt with appropriately.

STRAP.

- Assume responsibility for all STRAP matters pertaining to MOD personnel (and some Local National Direct Hires (LNDH), including MOD visitors to RAF Menwith Hill requiring access to the operations area.

- Liaise with other govt agencies for STRAP clearances and undertake associated training.

  • Officers must either have been, or currently be, a substantive squadron leader of any branch.
  • Understand or have experience of working within a multi-national environment.
  • 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.
  • Have a smart demeanour and values commensurate with representational duties.
  • Be self-reliant and calm under pressure.
  • Must already hold a DV clearance (with STRAP) prior to commencing in post in Jun 23.
  • Be ICSC or IOD 4/5 qualified.
  • Have had a diverse service experience including as many aspects as possible from: Airspace and/or flying operations, security/force protection, estate management, personnel management and corporate communications.
  • Have experience of managing Functional Safety and Environmental Protection.
  • Have had a successful track record of 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 and a 2-page CV, before inviting candidates for interview.

If any applicant has been out of RAF Service for more than 5 years, then the Selection Board will also require copies of appraisals pertaining to recent employment covering the gap (because the relevant Professions Adviser must give approval before any such candidate can be called forward for interview).

Email enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to the current incumbent:

Sqn Ldr Geoff Dickson

Email: Geoffrey.Dickson520@mod.gov.uk

Applications. Candidate applications, with a maximum 2 page CV (to include copies of last 4 appraisal reports and civilian employment appraisals if candidate has been out of the RAF for more than 5 years) should be emailed as below (due to an inconsistent on base US postal system).

Please email applications to:

Wing Commander Helen Miller, Senior RAF Liaison Officer to the USVF:

helen.miller165@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 7 December 2022.

Interviews will be planned to take place in the week commencing 9 Jan 2023 at RAF Mildenhall or RAF Marham.

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

The appointment is on FTRS (LC) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of four (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 Professions 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, 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 it is available at nearby UK defence units on entitled rates when serving within the Air Command TLB. There is no SLA available to UK military personnel on any USVF units and TCoS do not allow the provision of Substitute Service SLA. There may be SLA available at nearby UK defence units but it would be for the individual to apply to the respective Officers’ Messes to enquire as to local availability. 

This opportunity is closed to applications.