Air Regional Employer Engagement Officer -South East

A vacancy has arisen for a Wing Commander (Any Profession) to serve as Air Regional Employer Engagement Officer for the South East on Part Time Volunteer Reserve (PTVR) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of not before 02 November 2026.

The Royal Air Force Reserves Employer Engagement Team are seeking applications from pro-active officers with excellent communication skills and experience of RAF PTVR to join our regional employer engagement team. The post is home based, requiring a flexible working approach and will involve remote working and occasional weekend work utilising up to 50 Reserve Service Days (RSDs) per annum.

Role and Responsibilities

You will quickly establish yourself as the RAF single point of contact for operational level employer engagement in your region. Through close liaison with your local RAuxAF sqn(s), you will work in partnership with the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SE RFCA) to facilitate employer engagement support, events and opportunities. This will include:

• Promotion, participation and support to Reserve Sqn(s) and RAF Station(s) employer engagement activities.

• Creation and exploitation of employer engagement PR (both traditional and digital, utilising Air and RFCA social media channels and assets).

Utilise your own social media networks to promote RAF employer engagement.

You will work with the Head of Reserves Employer Engagement to deliver high quality briefings and updates to the South East RFCA to provide them with direction and guidance to help facilitate effective employer engagement in both regions. This will include:

• Participation at Regional Employer Engagement Boards, Groups, Advisory Boards and AGMs (representing, preparing, briefing and follow up).

• Supporting regional Armed Forces Covenant initiatives (AFC), including representing the RAF at AFC signing events.

• Promoting and supporting regional Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) activity, assisting with Silver Selection Boards and participation at ERS award ceremonies.

• Working with local business leaders and employers, to build a network to promote the mutually beneficial opportunities of partnering the RAF to grow our employer base to support Astra ambitions and requirements.

Supporting tS employer engagement events throughout the region.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Wing Commander (Any Profession) or Squadron Leader (Any Profession) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol1 and AP 7000. All promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board. If the applicant has been out of full-time military service, and is applying for the post on promotion, they will need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience. This will then be considered by the Promotion Board.

• Be willing to work outside of traditional working hours participating and facilitating at occasional weekend and evening events.

• Proficient digital skills, ability to exploit MS Office and familiarity with Zoom, Skype and MS Teams.

• Be in possession of a full driving licence.

• Have served on a RAuxAF Sqn and have a thorough understanding of the roles and functions of the RAF Reserves and how the RAuxAF operates. Understanding that the relationships with reservists and employers is key to this role.

• Have experience, either as Officer Commanding or Deputy Officer Commanding, Executive Officer or Adjutant of a RAuxAF Sqn.

• Be familiar with South East, local RAF Stns and Reserve Sqns.

• Have a thorough understanding of the business network in the South East with established links to local business and leaders.

• Social media trained, confident using LinkedIn.

• Media and communication trained to support PR opportunities.

Selection Process.  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 Paula Willmot SO1 Employer Engagement

Email: Paula.Willmot660@mod.gov.uk

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 Part Time Volunteer Reserve (PTVR) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 2 for an initial period of 4 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.

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.

PTVR Enlistment Age Limits.  At the date of attestation, applicants for PTVR positions should normally be attested before their 55th birthday.  Consideration may be given to the enlistment of a PTVR candidate who is over the age of 55 at the time of their application (where they are currently serving or have recently left service and are considered to be SQEP).

Joint Medical Employment Standards. Confirmation of appointment may 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.

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 PTVR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation but can utilise service accommodation when on duty subject to availability.

Applications.  Candidate applications are to include: a covering letter explaining how the essential and desirable competencies are met, a maximum 2-page CV and copies of the applicants last 4 appraisal reports. These should be sent to:

Wg Cdr Paula Willmot SO1 Employer Engagement

Email: Paula.Willmot660@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 22 June 2026.

Interviews will take place week shortly week commencing 10 August 2026.