Flt Lt RAFOTA INSTRUCTOR

A vacancy has arisen for a Flt Lt (Any Profession) to serve as a RAFOTA Flight Commander at RAF Cranwell on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of being not before 05 October 2026 (or later, subject to candidate status). 

Responsibilities associated with working in a phase 1 training establishment. 

All RAFOTA officers are, first and foremost, leaders. Regardless of their specific role, it is paramount that they lead, inspire, manage and mentor, both officer cadets and subordinate staff. RAFOTA officers are accountable for the cadets placed under their charge, within both the Sqn and Academy structure. 

Flight Lieutenant roles are varied in the academy and staff can be rotated to support the service need. These roles include Flight Commander, instructor and assessor. All staff have a supervisory role in the duty of care and safeguarding of cadets. Flight Commanders will be with the cadets for the duration of the Exercises including overnight in various locations including the North Airfield and Beckingham Training Area.

Job Description. As Sqn Flt Cdrs you are responsible to your Sqn Cdr for the following:

a.    In the absence of your Sqn Cdr and DSC, deputise for your Sqn.

b.    The coordination and day to day management of the Flight including personnel management and welfare.

(1)    Maintaining sound administration, and good discipline and standards IAW AP1 and BARS RISE. 

(2)    Ensuring the health, welfare and safety of all Off Cdts.

(3)    Acquainting yourself with the personalities and qualities of all Off Cdts in your Flt, monitoring their progress, raising ALaRMS reports, and highlighting concerns and issues to the CoC.

c.    Facilitating, coaching, mentoring, and training your Off Cdts in pursuit of the RAFOTA syllabus aims and objectives. 

(1)     Support the management and standardisation of the delivery of training, lessons, and exercises.

(2)    Conducting delivery of lessons IAW with LSpecs and ASpecs.

d.    Conduct formative and summative assessment of Off Cdts.

(1)         Ensure a full understanding of assessment criteria – BARS CLM and RISE.

(2)         Raise reports on ALaRMS as required.

(3)         Complete End of Course Reports (EOCR).

e.    Actively contribute to the overall deliverables of the organisation .

(1)         Engagement with stakeholders including but not limited to all RAFOTA Sqn’s, DSC and SIs, liaison with L&D Wg and risk managers.

(2)         Support short course deliverables. 

f.    Participate and contribute to the continuous improvement process.

(1)          Feed into PXRs, QIAP, FBWG and other CI events. 

(2)         Engagement with E Sqn and L&D Wg.

g.    Remain in date and competent for all sS mandatory and DTC training requirements.

(1)         Remain current and competent in all exercise delivery competencies, such as WHT and climatic injuries training.

h.    The completion of other tasks as directed by Sqn Cdr and DSC.

All permanent staff are to read, understand and be compliant with the RAFOTA Supervisory Care Directive, Command Directive and be familiar with the Commander’s Risk Assessment as approved by OC RAFOTA.

• Must either have been, or currently be, a Flt Lt – Any Profession.
• Defence Trainer Course (legacy courses will be looked at on a case-by-case basis).

• Defence Trainer Supervisor
• Risk Assessor (IOSH), or Land Environment Safety Officer (LESO)
• DBS Standard with no markers.
• Care of Trainee – Advanced.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports and other evidence as appropriate.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: WO D Crowley

Email: darren.crowley656@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports (as required). Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

Sqn Ldr R Parr RAFOTA Chief of Staff Robert.Parr994@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 16 August 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 24 August 2026.

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 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.

Applicants of an equivalent substantive 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: this position will not be offered on promotion to sister Services.  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. This post is non deployable and has safety critical elements and involves operational support activity and is not sedentary in nature. IBN 94 / 24 does not apply.

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 Cranwell.