SO3 Contract Management Service Team

Subject to establishment amendment, a vacancy may arise for a Flight Lieutenant (Any Profession) to serve as Staff Office 3 Contract Manager at 6 FTS HQ, RAF Cranwell on FTRS(LC) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 06 October 2025.

6 FTS is the largest and most diverse military flying training school in the country. From its HQ at RAFC Cranwell, the school manages a broad range of flying instruction from Elementary Flying at University Air Squadrons to the provision of Air Experience Flying (AEF) for the Air Cadet Organisation.

The Deputy Contract Manager position is located within 6 FTS HQ, RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, NG34 8HB. The Contract Management Support Team (CMST) is a small but dynamic team that is responsible for the management of the Light Aircraft Flying Task 2 (LAFT2) contract, a high value, complex contract with the Babcock International Group (BIG), which provides aircraft, associated air engineering and logistic support, and motor transport in support of flying training and flying experience. The contract also supports all UAS Ground Training, including Adventurous Training and Force Development activities. The CMST provides the HQ focal point for all day-to-day LAFT2 engineering and logistic support issues, providing advice and guidance on all contract matters to ensure the effective delivery of the LAFT2 contracted output, holding the supplier (BIG) to account when required.

Specifically, you will be required to:

• Be responsible to Comdt 6 FTS through SO2 CMST.
• Manage and lead a team of 2 x RAF Service Personnel, including associated performance appraisals and professional development.
• To act as deputy to the LAFT2 contract Designated Officer’s (DO) (Comdt 6FTS) representative (SO2 CMST), assisting with management of the contract on their behalf (this includes Army Flying Grading and Royal Navy Flying Grading and Streaming).
• Assist SO2 CMST in provision of advice to the LAFT2 DO on supplier contract performance, all areas of under-performance and areas of concern.
• To act as Deputy Designated Officer (DDO) for the QinetiQ contract which provides Airfield services (Fuel, Military Airfield, Air Traffic Control, Meteorological Services, Flight Planning Facilities, Fire and Crash Rescue Cover) for MOD Boscombe Down via the Long-Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) with MOD.
• Represent 6 FTS at meetings with internal/external stakeholders.
• Ensure, in conjunction with Air Commercial and the Contractor, that the Contractor’s Quality Plan is effective and that potential areas of risk are identified and managed as early as possible.
• Operate an effective, evidence-based contract monitoring system based on tracking/ monitoring contract performance, output, and delivery of the contracted task. This will also include regular assurance visits to each site, regular issue of Customer Satisfaction Questionnaires, scheduled meetings and the monitoring of audit reports produced by the Contractor and external agencies.
• Maintain accurate records or LAFT2 expenditure, settlements, and abatements. Provide early notification to the LAFT2 DO of potential increases/decreases in cost. In association with Air Commercial, pursue with the Contractor financial recompense in respect of contract-underperformance where appropriate.
• During times of principal’s absence:
  • organise and chair LAFT2 Contract Performance Review meetings, a minimum of six to be held per year. Also organise Quarterly Contract Performance Reviews and the Annual Review meetings, preparing all necessary information and stats, review and validate the Contractor’s presentation ensuring all information within is accurate and reflects previous year’s performance.
  • Produce of periodic reports on contract matters, in particular: Regular Contract Performance Review reports for Air Commercial; and additional reports and production of costs and statistics as required by the LAFT2 DO
• Where funding is not assured, arrange for a business case with options to be submitted. Work closely with CRN Business & Finance to assist in the production of the LAFT2 accruals and pre-payments.
• Any other tasks as directed by Line Management.

• Data Analysis, Excel Pivot, Dashboards and PowerBi
• Contract management experience.
• Experience of complex communication and influencing of external stakeholders.
• Experience/Understanding of leading a team and performance management (including formal written workforce annual appraisals).
• Good working knowledge of IT systems and Microsoft Office365. Particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint & Microsoft Teams.
• Experience of leading virtual meetings, conference calls and screen sharing.

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:

Name: Wg Cdr Maple

Address: paul.maple957@mod.gov.uk    

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

Name: Mr Jon Riddell

jon.riddell104@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 05 May 2025 and interviews will take place week commencing 19 May 2025.

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 (Home 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.

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.