OC 605 SQN

A vacancy has arisen for a Sqn Ldr (Any Branch) to serve as Officer Commanding 605 (County of Warwick) Sqn RAuxAF at RAF COSFORD. The appointment is compatible with Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment), although applicants seeking ADC or PTVR Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS) will also be considered, with an initial proposed start date of 14 February 2022 (or earlier, depending upon candidate status and TCoS).

605 Sqn is a Logistics Support Sqn of the RAFR and is part of the Reserve Logistics Support Wing (RLSW) alongside its sister sqns, 501 (County of Gloucester) and 504 (County of Nottingham) Sqns RAuxAF. The Officer Commanding 605 Sqn will be responsible to the RAF Support Force Commander, via the Officer Commanding RLSW, for the leadership and management of the Sqn in order to provide trained Logistics (Driver, Supplier and Chef) and RAF Police reservists to support RAF operational activities at home and overseas.  Due to the part-time nature of the RAFR, the post incumbent will be expected to work a minimum of 12 weekends a year (offset by TOIL).

Specific responsibilities of the post include:

• Ensuring that all sqn personnel meet the necessary standards and readiness as directed by the Logistics and Force Protection Operational Sponsors.
• Ensuring that the Sqn is able to meet the needs of the wider RAF by providing suitably trained, qualified and experienced personnel to support operational and other Defence tasks.
• Assist in the review of Logistics and RAF Police CONEMPS periodically to ensure they remain fit for purpose given any changes as a result of Strategic Defense Reviews, geographical or environmental developments, operational tempo etc.
• Ensure that effective recruiting and publicity activity is conducted, within financial limitations, to satisfy manning requirements.
• Act as the Sqn focal point for employer support and engagement.
• Oversee the efficient and effective training and development of all personnel of 605 Sqn, against published Operational Performance Standards for Logistics and RAF Police trades
• Execute the routine management and administration of 605 Sqn in accordance with current regulations and policy. Provide welfare support and guidance for all Sqn personnel and ensure the maintenance of RAF standards, ethos, core values and discipline.
• Ensure the effective management of personnel and activities in order to maximise retention of sqn personnel.
• Undertake the planning, management, and control of budgetary expenditure for 605 Sqn in accordance with the powers of delegated financial responsibility, including all public and non-public funds.

• Must either have been, or currently be, a Sqn Ldr (Any Branch) or a Flt Lt (Any Branch) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Selection Board.
• Must have passed the ICSC (Any Service), IOD 4-5 or legacy Basic Staff Course; or be willing to undertake current staff training appropriate to rank and reserve service.

• An officer of the RAF Logistics Branch or equivalent in a sister Service.
• Experience of Sqn Command.
• Have experience of working as a Reservist or knowledge of the Reserves.
• Have experience of working in a Regular/Reserve training environment. 
• Successfully completed an out of area or operational deployment.
• Recruiting experience.
• Have experience of financial management and accountability.

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: 

Sqn Ldr Nick White

XO RLSW 

Bldg 61

Royal Air Force Wittering 

PETERBOROUGH 

PE8 6HB

Tel: 03001691926

Nick.White809@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:

Mrs Belinda Exley - belinda.exley582@mod.gov.uk

The post sponsor is Wg Cdr Andy Valentine (Andy.Valentine213@mod.gov.uk).

The closing date for applications is 20th September 2021 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place shortly afterwards.

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

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment), ADC or PTVR, TCoS and is for a period of up to 4 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of an 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 Branch & Trade 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 RAFR service if an appropriate branch/trade sponsor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  Branch/trade 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, Branch/Trade 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 QR1027 process 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’.

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve 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.

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) and ADC TCoS are eligible to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB.