Astra Innovation Safety and Governance Officer

Task requirements

A vacancy has arisen for a Warrant Officer (Any Profession) to serve as the Astra Innovation Safety & Governance Officer (AISGO) within the Astra Innovation Team at RAF Honington on Additional Duties Commitment (ADC (180)) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS) with an initial proposed start date of 03 March 2025 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status and formal establishment).

Responsibilities: As AISGO the incumbent is responsible to SO1 Astra Innovation for the management and development of Astra Operating Model Safety and Governance procedures. This will require knowledge of LE AP 8000 Chapters and the O&A of SIs, NSI and Safety reporting of LE events as well as providing advice, guidance and mentoring to RAF innovation project managers on all aspects of the Astra innovation process.

Principle roles to include:

• Development and oversight of Astra Operating Model Safety and Governance procedures.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for advice to all Astra Innovation project managers and Stn Continuous Improvement teams on Duty Holding, Safety Assurance, and Risk to Life (RtL) activity associated with proposed and ongoing innovation projects.
• Oversight and Analysis of all changes to regulation and policy, 2LoD reports and DAIB and sS incident reporting.
• Support Astra Innovation projects as they progress through the Astra Operating Model providing comment on project Risk assessments including DHANs/ROANs, and supporting Astra Innovation Safety and Governance Forums.
• Develop understanding of, and support management of legislative and regulatory compliance associated with Astra innovation projects.
• Collaboration with the Astra Innovation Team to support the development of the Astra Operating Model, and to support the success of Astra Innovation.
• Support SO1 Astra Innovation in the management of innovation projects as required.

Essential competencies

• Must either have been, or currently be, a WO (Any) or a FS (Any) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 560 and AP 3376 Vol 1. 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.
• Must have a strong working knowledge of Defence Land Safety Regulations and Policies.
• Must have strong working experience of service safety and governance related publications.
• Able to employ effective communication and information skills (verbal, written and IT).
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable competencies

• Hold the Junior Management of Quality qualification.
• Hold Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) Auditors qualification.
• Hold the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 9001 Lead Auditor qualification.
• Proficient in digital collaboration tools – such as MS Teams.
• Must hold or be willing to attend Root Cause analyst training courses. (Sologic Root Cause Analysis).
• Must be willing to attend innovation training courses and to become proficient in the use of the Defence Ideas Platform.

Selection Process

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Wg Cdr James Walker - james.walker924@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Wg Cdr James Walker - james.walker924@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 22 November 2024 and interviews (unless prom board required) will be held shortly afterwards.

Additional information

Unless already enlisted in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Additional Duties 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.

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. Remote working may be possible with this appointment; however, the successful candidate will be required to attend f2f meetings / visits (assume bi-monthly).  

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.