SO2 Welfare Trg

A vacancy has arisen for a Sqn Ldr (Any Profession) – however, preference will be given to People Ops -Pers (Trg) - to serve as SO2 Welfare Training at RAF Cranwell on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 07 September 2026 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status).

This is a new post within the Dir People, People & Family Support (PF Spt) AOR. The post is parented by RAF Cranwell but is designated as remote working.  The post will be responsible for managing the PF Spt welfare training portfolio on behalf of Hd PF Spt, to include development and maintenance of welfare related training, liaison with 22 Trg Gp, training providers and CEBs. There will be a strong focus on the development of new training.

Welfare trg examples include, but not limited to:

• Personal Support:  HR Welfare Course, Ph1 welfare trg, LM training, Defence Recovery trg
• Community and Family Support: Personal & Com Spt course, Safeguarding trg, Future Cdrs Study Period
• Wellbeing Interventions: Mental Resilience & Stress Management Trg, Op Stress Managment trg, Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper trg
• Leading or supporting development of new welfare training requirements through to training delivery.
• Ensuring existing welfare training remains current.
• Providing SME trg advice related to welfare to PF Spt subject SMEs e.g. SOTR/SOTT development.
• Maintaining relationships with 22 Trg Gp, trg providers and any other trg agencies e.g. SMARTT, Tedder Academy.
• Supporting and/or representing PF Spt at relevant CEBs

Must either have been, or currently be, a Sqn Ldr (Any) or a Flt Lt (Any) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board. If an applicant has been out of full-time military service and is applying for a post on promotion, they will also need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience to be considered by the Promotion Board.

• An experienced Trg Officer
• Training Development experience and expertise, including detailed understanding of DSAT process
• Experience of DLE course development and delivery
• Recent experience of welfare (PS, Com & Fam Spt, Wellbeing) delivery, particularly if not a Trg Offr
• Highly effective communication skills.

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:

Wg Cdr M Bowditch

SO1 Welfare Development

Michael.Bowditch166@mod.gov.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 303 373 1221

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

Wg Cdr M Bowditch

SO1 Welfare Development

Michael.Bowditch166@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 12 June 2026 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place shortly afterwards.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves 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 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.

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

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.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  The relevant Profession’s advisor 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, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

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/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB.