SO2 VENTURE

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader (Any) to serve as SO2 VENTURE, in Air Enablers (AE), Air Capability, Air Command at RAF Cranwell on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 1st September 2024 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status). Despite being based at RAF Cranwell the post works for Air Cap in Air Cmd.  Therefore, you will be expected to travel to RAF High Wycombe. There will be occasional UK travel to other locations, but the role can accommodate working from home.

AE delivers a broad variety of programmes which includes: Hawk Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP); uplifts to the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS); Aircrew Systems Capability Upgrade Programme (ASCUP); Youth Aviation programme (YAP); and the Relocation of the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine (RAF CAM).  YAP will deliver the future flying solutions for University Air Squadrons (Project TELUM) and Air Cadets (Project VENTURE). The Team includes Programme Management Office (PMO) staff, programme desk officers and a requirement manager.  As SO2 VENTURE you will have the following responsibilities: 
a.    The day-to-day delivery of Project VENTURE, iaw authority delegated by SO1 YAP.
b.    Managing VENTURE and any projects within to include: supporting the OF5-led YAP Programme Board; routinely engaging with stakeholders such as the Business Change Manager (BCM) and his team, the DT project management staff, and Industry; and cohering the DLODs to produce the required capabilities.
c.    Supporting the YAP Working Group (WG) and leading other WGs as directed.
d.    Providing VENTURE-specific inputs to the Programme Management Office (PMO) to ensure that it supports VENTURE effectively. The PMO will manage benefits, assumptions, dependencies, risks, LFEs, schedules, information, stakeholders and comms.
e.    Assisting the Business Change Manager in 2 Flying Training School (FTS) with progressing in-service gliding capabilities to ensure coherence with VENTURE deliverables.
f.    Supporting the financial management of YAP to include: liaising with the Business Manager (BM) and Finance Business Partner (FBP); generating the AE input into the AM&AE Monthly Financial Meeting; and identifying savings and bring-forwards with associated decision points. 
g.    Working with SO1 YAP, the BM, Air Cap Portfolio Office (PfO) and PMO to ensure programme governance and reporting are delivered in a timely and effective manner.  
h.    Helping to draft the YAP elements in the Defence Plan and RAF Command Plan.
i.    Drafting the CASP EPP VENTURE Appendix to ensure timely sign off.
j.    Working closely with the TELUM Project Manager, and deputising for SO1 YAP as required.

k.     Air Safety.   You are to read and understand the Air Cap Air Safety Management Plan (ASMP) on an annual basis and carry out any Air Safety (AS) duties allocated to your post in the ASMP.  Further, you should keep abreast of any AS risks and issues by regularly reading the Air Cap AS Notice Board and MOSS site.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Squadron Leader (ANY) or a Flight Lieutenant (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.

• Powers of Communication- possess good written and verbal communication skills.
• Judgement  - Highpriority- critically applies available information to arrive at sound, timely decisions.
• Management - demonstrates effectiveness as a team member.
• Effective Intelligence - High priority - adapts to new circumstances and brings to bear both common sense and innovation.
• Experience of using MS Office products including Word, Powerpoint and Excel.

Training will be given where required, but it is desirable for the applicant to have completed:

• IOD5.
• Programme and/or Project Management courses such as Association for Project Management (APM) Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or Managing Successful Programmes (Practitioner).
• Defence Academy Capability and Acquisition (CAPAC) courses.
• A previous assignment within Air Capability. 

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 P A J Finney

Tel: 0300 151 1639

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

albert.finney157@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 16th April 2024 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place in May 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 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 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.

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.