SNCO STRATEGIC RESERVES

Task requirements

Subject to formal establishment change, a vacancy has arisen for a Sgt or FS People Ops to serve as SNCO Strategic Reserves at HQ Air Command, RAF High Wycombe on Additional Duties Commitment (ADC) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), 180 Reserve Service Days (RSDs) with an initial proposed start date of 1 August 2025 or later subject to candidate’s status. Whilst the post is based at RAF High Wycombe, there is significant opportunity to work remotely.  

Job Overview

SNCO Strategic Reserves is a new position within the Strategic Reserves pillar at HQ Air Reserves. Responsibilities include re-enabling the RAF’s Strategic Reserve by improving and assuring management information held on JPA for this cohort, dealing with routine correspondence with members of the Strategic Reserve and conducting statistical analysis to inform planning.

Position Responsibilities

Administer, maintain and assure records held on JPA for all members of the RAF Strategic Reserve to enable routine communication, the issue of notices to train and, if necessary, the issue of call-out notices for their mobilisation at pace and scale.

Conduct routine and bespoke statistical analysis of RAF Strategic Reserve data held on JPA to inform Business As Usual (BAU) tasks, the implementation of Home Defence Plan (HDP) reserve recommendations, Agile Stance Campaign Plan (ASCP) deliverables, Defence Level Exercises (including Steadfast Defender 2027), the RAF’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) series and HQ Air Command Transition to Conflict (TTC) deliverables.

Respond to all queries received from members of the RAF Strategic Reserve in an efficient manner, noting that the primary means of communication is via the Strategic Reserve Group Mail box.

Facilitate sS elements of the bi-annual data exchange between the MOD and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in accordance with the Reserve Forces & Cadets (RF&C) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU); and assure all updates to JPA upon receipt.

Action all Change Request (CR) 3571 re-hire errors notified by Defence Business Services (DBS) monthly on JPA.

Liaise with counterparts in other TLBs including Maritime, Army, StratCom, DBS and RF&C, as well as SMEs across the Air domain, to inform the development of coherent policy, plans and processes pertaining to the utility of RAF Strategic Reserves.

Attend workshops, meetings and conferences, as required, to inform, educate and influence participants about the RAF Strategic Reserve.

Essential competencies

Must either have been, or currently be, a FS or Sgt People Ops.

Desirable competencies

• Experience of working with RAF Reserves.
• Headquarters or Group experience.
• UK Ops and Resilience experience.
• Evidence of People Analytics proficiency.

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:

Name: Wg Cdr Jo Daniels

Email: jo.daniels640@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:

Wing Commander Jo Daniels – jo.daniels640@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 11 June 2025.

Interviews will take place week commencing 23 June 2025.

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 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.

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.

Joint Medical Employment Standards.  The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies. 

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 ADC 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 unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF High Wycombe.