SO2 Control of the Air

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader (Aircrew – Flying Pilot (Any)) to serve as SO2 COTA at RAF High Wycombe on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 26 August 2024 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status)

Control of the Air (CotA) is the most important of the four fundamental roles of air power. This post will work directly for SO1 CotA and to DACOS FD, Air Cap Strat. The SO2 CotA role is responsible for assisting SO1 CotA in developing Air’s capability strategy with a focus on the Defensive Counter Air (DCA) mission, including Air and Missile Defence, and the air-to-air aspects of Offensive Counter Air (OCA). This will include the development of CONOPS, URDs and other programme artefacts, as well as involvement in Air, Joint and Coalition Force Development (FD) exercises. The role requires a good understanding of UK air-to-air capabilities and will require close co-operation with Complex Weapons in MoD, Air SciAds, DSTL and coalition partners as well as industry and academia. You will be responsible for;

• Assisting in the organisation and delivery of a CotA Capability Planning Group (CPG).
• Drafting programme artefacts including CONOPs and URDs. 
• Interfacing with the key stakeholders (military, industrial, procurement and S&T), ensuring capability gaps are identified, articulated and planned against to meet or mitigate Defence requirements.
• In conjunction with technical SMEs, including DSTL and Air SciAds, providing operational input to the development of plausible future equipment and non-equipment concepts.
• Understanding the UK’s CotA equipment plan, including platforms, effectors and sensors.
• When required, representing Air at Future Air Superiority Effectors (FASE) programme meetings and discussions.
• When required, representing Air at Future Air Superiority Effectors (FASE) programme meetings and discussions.

• Must either have been, or currently be, a Squadron Leader (Aircrew – Flying Pilot (Any)), or a Flight Lieutenant (Aircrew – Flying Pilot (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
• Combat Air experience in the air-to-air role
• UK Security Check (SC) security clearance
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications
• Comfortable with working collegiately across Air professions and with DSTL, MOD, industry and coalition partners
• Able to work flexibly, including occasional international travel

• UK Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance
• Qualified Weapons Instructor
• Experience of leading mixed service and civilian teams
• Project Management experience
• Completed the Capability and Acquisition (CAPAC) course

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 Stephen Lamping  

Tel: 03001513766

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 Stephen Lamping – stephen.lamping879@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 16 April 2024 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place week commencing 29 April 2024.

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 3 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.

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) TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF High Wycombe.