VACANCY FOR A WG CDR AS OC SOUTHERN ENGLAND & WALES RESERVES SUPPORT WING

A vacancy has arisen for a Wg Cdr (Any Profession) to serve as OC Southern England and Wales Reserve Support Wing (OC SE&W RSW) at RAF Brize Norton.  The position is offered under Part-Time Volunteer Reserve (PTVR) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS) only, with an initial proposed start date of 01 August 2024 (or, ideally, earlier) depending on candidate availability and circumstance.

The Officer Commanding (OC) SE&W RSW ensures the enabling capabilities required to permit the SE&W RSW to undertake exemplary Phase 1 trg, focused attract and recruitment activity and associated support all at the right time, right place and to target.

Reporting to the AO Air bases, (through Stn Cdr) the post is based at RAF Brize Norton with remote working options available (subject to agreement at interview). Please note to enable the support of trg, engagement and recruiting activity, the role requires occasional travel with associated overnight stays and weekend working.

SE&W RSW Mission: To recruit, train and deliver motivated and inspired RAF Reservists to Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Squadrons within the Southern England & Wales AOR, ready to embark on Phase 2 training and ultimately deliver operational output for the RAF.

The team is entrepreneurial, proactive, and work in a highly collaborative, forward leaning, challenging environment. We work closely with RAuxAF squadrons, civilian employers, outside agencies and tri-Service personnel to enable a supportive, collaborative training and recruitment environment. Our mantra is: Attract, Engage, Recruit, Train, and Advocate. Your work will be key in enabling the team to recruit and train the reservists we need for the future.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable leading a multi-talented diverse team, an initiative-taking individual who is content with empowerment and engaging with all ranks as OC. Someone who can identify issues before they become problems. Resourceful, well organized, and confident. As OC SE&W RSW you will represent the SE&W RSW at key meetings and activities. You will have an enquiring mind, provide inspirational leadership, manage personnel and resources, make informed assessments, and relay key information in a variety of formats depending upon the audience(s).

We’ll expect you to go the extra mile, but in return we’ll invest in you, we’re committed to your development. You’ll be part of a supportive team, working with colleagues, learning from them, and collaborating to achieve great results each and every time. The Royal Air Force is an equal opportunities employer. We believe passionately that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills.

We’re a newly formed, forward leaning organisation working at pace. The adopted attitude is that no idea is a bad idea, and the best ideas are the ones that should be tested and tried. You will need to thrive and deliver results in an ambiguous, innovative, progressive environment. If you possess a considered, proactive team focused background with experience of working in dynamic, challenging environments, we'd like to hear from you!

Must either have been, or currently be, a Wg Cdr (OF4) or a Sqn Ldr (OF3) 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. 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.

Possess excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communications with a proven ability to influence stakeholders and confidently operate and converse in high-level meetings and forums.

Successful completion of Commanding Officers of Training Establishments (COTE) course. (Trg given if not already completed).

Evidence of Leadership role.

Ability to work across various C2 and Command structures simultaneously.

Ability to work unsupervised and using own initiative.

Must hold a current full UK Cat B (car) Driving Licence.

Have served on a RAuxAF Sqn and/or have a thorough understanding of the roles and functions of the RAF Res.

An understanding of the RAF Recruitment process and Basic Recruit Training course (BRTC) requirements for RAF Reserves.

An understanding of Reserve Forces & Cadet Association (RFCA) and broader Reserve cultures.

Have sound awareness of Health and Safety Legislation and the responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. 1974. (Managing Safely (CN 2823) or equivalent.

Selection Interview Techniques qualified or willingness to undertake training.

Defence Trainer course (DTc) qualified or willingness to undertake training.

An understanding of the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) process and or experience of a Phase 1/Phase 2 trg environment in a trg capacity.

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 S Fry, OC SRSW

Email: stephen.fry592@mod.gov.uk

Skype: 03001571709

Unless already enlisted in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be enlisted in the RAuxAF with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on PTVR TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 2 for an initial period of 3 years and will attract a maximum of 90 RSDs per financial year.  

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the age and 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 Branch and Trade Advisor (B&TA) (Head of Profession) to confirm validity of 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 RAuxAF service if an appropriate B&TA sponsor can be identified to sponsor the applicant. B&TA sponsor 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 and 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 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. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment on Commutation’.

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, Reserves personnel are able to 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 PTVR TCoS are ineligible to occupy permanent Single Living Accommodation (SLA).

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

Sqn Ldr D Capel, XO SRSW

Email: David.Capel273@mod.gov.uk

Skype: 03001540147

The closing date for applications is 16 Apr 24.

Interviews dates to be notified