TYPHOON MSC RSAF LIAISON OFFICER

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader (Eng) to serve as Typhoon Mission Support Centre (MSC) Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Liaison Officer at BAE Systems (BAES) Warton on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of being not before 21 May 2024.

The Typhoon MSC RSAF Liaison Officer is primarily responsible to OC MSC for

• Representing the Royal Air Force (RAF) to provide the RSAF with support and technical advice to assist with delivery, development and acceptance of RSAF Typhoon MDS provide by BAES.
• Delivering RAF support to the Saudi Arabian defence programme in accordance with the Government to Government (G2G) arrangements.
• Developing and enhancing the United Kingdom/Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (UK/KSA) strategic relationship, enabled by Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Projects (MODSAP).
• Supporting the RAF to RSAF bilateral relationship with matters relating to Mission Data Sets (MDS).

The Typhoon MSC RSAF Liaison Officer will undertake Mission Data advisory tasks in support of UK Government to Saudi Arabian Government RSAF Typhoon Mission Data projects in their area of responsibility, including supporting the RSAF’s UK based Design, Development and Integration Team (DDIT). The incumbent will be integrated within the UK Typhoon MSC at BAES Warton but will be funded by MODSAP who are the G2G enabler of these projects. The post holder will be the focal point for the RAF’s MDS support to the RSAF.

The incumbent will work within the UK Typhoon MSC detachment at BAES Warton but will provide support to the RSAF in UK Industry provisioned Electronic Warfare (EW) support contracts. The individual will need to be highly motivated and possess the ability to work with minimal supervision. The role will require regular UK travel to represent the RAF at RSAF Typhoon MDS meetings. Additionally, the incumbent will be required to represent the MSC as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on RSAF Typhoon MDS at BAES development meetings around the UK. Funded by MODSAP and embedded in the MSC, the incumbent will play a pivotal role in linking RAF expertise to the development of RSAF Typhoon MDS and EW capabilities.

The post entails time between the Typhoon MSC, RAF Coningsby, BAES Warton and MODSAP London. Travel to other UK meeting locations will also be required.

Responsible for:

• Provide RAF liaison to the RSAF for the delivery, development and acceptance of MDS related projects provided by BAE Systems (and associated sub-contractors). 
• Represent the RAF at RSAF MDS related meetings, workshops and reviews. 
• Provide RAF specialist input into RSAF Typhoon MDS requirements, product development, and associated EW projects delivery. 
• Support the RSAF’s DDIT and RSAF Mission Data and EW meetings in the UK.
• Attend Working Groups (WG) and meetings at BAES Warton at key stages of MDS product development. 
• Coordinate Air and Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) MSC MD support to UKMOD obligated export activity.
• Support the delivery of UK MOD contractual responsibilities on relevant MDS projects.
• Provide support to MODSAP, RAF and UKG on the development of EW / MDS related issues.

• Must either have been, or currently be a Sqn Ldr – Engineer – Eng (AS).
• MSC, ASWC, EW, IMS or IPT (UK Typhoon Mission Data Team experience preferred).

• EW Officer /EW Instructor.
• Arabic Language.
• Operational experience.
• Middle East environment experience.
• Experience of working within HQ RSAF and RSAF MOBs.
• Experience of working within Industry on major Middle East export contracts.
• Command (Any).
• Evidence of Project Management experience.

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 Mark Barmby

Email: Mark.Barmby356@mod.gov.uk

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 Mark Barmby

OC MSC

Mission Support Centre

RAF Coningsby

Lincolnshire

LN4 4SY

The closing date for applications is 28th February 2024 and interviews will take place week commencing 14th March 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.

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 very unlikely that accommodation will be available at BAES Warton.