Task requirements

SPONSORED UNDERGRADUATES STAFF OFFICER

BRNC Dartmouth delivers learning that is inspiring, challenging, and relevant to meet Fleet Operational Capability. It has been at the forefront of the education and development of world-class Naval Officers in Dartmouth since 1863. The College's contribution to defence today is as relevant as ever, through Initial Officer Training, enduring leadership training, and support to Defence Diplomacy outputs through the training of international officers. Underpinning all aspects of training at BRNC remains the aim to deliver courageous leaders with the spirit to fight and win.

The role of the Sponsored Undergraduate Office, part of the Universities Department, is to provide duty of care, professional and military development, and personnel management of RN Sponsored Undergraduates (SUs). It is also to be noted that Foundation Doctors and Dentists whilst known as SUs have graduated. This is delivered through strong team leadership, aimed at ensuring the maximum possible number of personnel subsequently arrive at BRNC for and pass Initial Naval Training (Officer) (INT(O)). Key elements include a strategic oversight of all SU schemes, strong engagement with wider Defence organisations to deliver the promotion and development of esprit de corps of SUs through Jolly, Drummond, and Greenwich divisions.

By default, all Sponsored Undergraduates are members of BRNC Dartmouth. Personnel should refer to BR3d (1), Ships General Orders (SGOs) and the BRNC Supervisory Care Directive.

Schemes Responsible for

The In-Service pathway to Medical Officer (ISPMO), salaried personnel (RN Ratings) (Trained Strength) to join Medical School supported by the sService through years 1 to 5 years at university. When they graduate, they embark on their Foundation Training for 2 years within the NHS at one of 5 Joint Hospital Group (JHG) hospitals. They join INT(O) at BRNC for 8 Weeks, followed by a short 4-week New Entry Medical Officer (NEMO) Bridging Course before passing out of BRNC.

Medical Cadets, salaried members of the untrained strength of the Royal Navy. They undertake up to 3 years of medical school (University), this is years 3 to 5 of their 5 years at university. When they graduate, they embark on their Foundation Training for 2 years within the NHS at one of 5 Joint Hospital Group (JHG) hospitals. They join INT(O) at BRNC for 8 Weeks, followed by a short 4-week New Entry Medical Officer (NEMO) Bridging Course before passing out of BRNC.

Dental Cadets, salaried members of the untrained strength of the Royal Navy. They undertake up to 3 years of medical school (University), this is years 3 to 5 of their 5 years at university. When they graduate, they embark on their Foundation Training, one year’s vocational training for dentists at HMS DRAKE or HMS NELSON, also completing a Paediatric Orthodontics 6 weeks course in Edinburgh within this time. They then join INT(O) at BRNC for 8 Weeks, followed by a short 4-week New Entry Dental Officer (NEDO) Bridging Course before passing out of BRNC.

University Cadet Entrants (UCEs), complete INT(O) before proceeding to university, drawing pay as a regular Service person during their study. They join BRNC in September, completing both Militarisation and Marinisation terms, passing out of BRNC in the Spring. In the period between BRNC and starting university they gain early exposure to Military life, joining a sea-going exercise for 4 weeks, followed by joining the ‘Atlantic Professional Afloat Training (LANTPAT)’ package run by the United States Naval Academy (USNA) gaining a multi-National experience but also supporting the strong Defence Relationship the UK has with the US. On completion of 3 years at university they transition to Phase 2 training.

Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme (DSUS) personnel are part of a Quad-Service initiative funded by UKStratCom and headquartered at the Defence Academy. Royal Navy sponsored engineering undergraduates are ‘owned’ by the Service, and administered through the Sponsored Undergraduate office at Britannia Royal Naval College.

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Scheme (UGAS) and Upper Yardmen (Engineering) are regular Service personnel studying at Portsmouth University for one-year; during this time they are administered by the SU Office.

Captain BRNC 

Captain BRNC has overall Command of all BRNC Sponsored Undergraduates.

Commander Universities (Cdr U)  

Cdr U is the Head of Department.

Sponsored Undergraduates Staff Officer (SUSO)  

SUSO is the Senior Divisional Officer.

Role

The Sponsored Undergraduates Staff Officer (SUSO) is responsible to Commander (Universities) (Cdr (U)), as 1st Reporting Officer, and Captain BRNC, as 2nd Reporting Officer, for the leadership and management of all personnel (uniformed and non-uniformed) required to manage training management, duty of care, professional and military development, and personnel management of RN Sponsored Undergraduates (SUs). SUSO is to achieve this through strong team leadership, aimed at ensuring the maximum possible number of cadets subsequently complete their career pathway. Under the SU Office, there are 6 delivery pillars detailing the key elements of the role. These include strategic oversight of all SU schemes, strong engagement with wider Defence organisations and stakeholders to deliver the promotion and development of esprit de corps of SUs through Jolly, Drummond, and Greenwich divisions.

The 6 Pillars of Delivery.

• Education/Career/Training
• Divisional & Crisis Planning
• Administration & Financial Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Medical & Logistics
• Royal Navy Experience and Retention

Primary roles.

Accountable for the management of the RN SU schemes through:

• Implementation of strategic direction on recruitment delivery policy and management processes of SU schemes.
• Delivering opportunities for innovation to improve the SU training pipelines.
• Delivering a flexible, responsive, and resilient service to the SU Personnel.
• Develop and maintain SU enthusiasm and determination for their RN careers.
• Offering SUs, the maximum chances of success at INT(O) through experiences and exposure to the RN.

Act as a divisional officer and 1RO for:  

• The Deputy Sponsored Undergraduates Staff Officer (DSUSO), BRNC.
• Jolly, Drummond and Greenwich Division Staff Officers (JDSO, DDSO, GDSO) as these posts stand up as part of the ongoing transformation of the Service’s management of SUs.
• Act as a functional manager to non-uniformed personnel employed under contract to support delivery of the University Department.

Support wider University Department activities as follows:

• Act as first point of contact for SU advice to University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) COs.
• Co-ordinate arrangements for training courses and visits to BRNC and other establishments as appropriate.
• Ensure SUs are fully engaged with the Service.
• To act as the Course Manager/Divisional Officer for the New Entry Medical Officers (NEMO) and New Entry Dental Officers (NEDO) when they are undertaking Phase 1 INT(O) at BRNC.
• To lead JDSO who will act as Course Manager for the NEMO Course run by the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM). Engaging with CO INM to ensure that the course is delivered to the Fleet requirement.

Secondary roles.

• Act as Deputy Head of Department to Cdr U when required.
• To undertake whole College duties as required of BRNC Staff Officers, noting that Cdr U is to be consulted in event of any conflicts between this and the primary roles.
• Act as the Universities Department Scrum Master in order to deliver AGILE management as required by BRNC HQ.
• SUSO position is assigned to the Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) Crisis Augmentation List (CAL).

Principal Tasks

SUSO’s principal tasks are to:

• Report to the Commanding Officer where required to do so within BRNC Orders and in cases where the Commanding Officer is required to be involved.
• Report to Cdr U on the general welfare, professional progress and development of pre-INT(O) training and RN SUs.
• Report to and advise Cdr U on any risks and warnings in relation to SUs.
• Provide Cdr U with regular reports on Jolly, Drummond, and Greenwich Divisions.
• Deliver financial management, administration and uniformed training of all RN Sponsored Undergraduates.
• Provide, implement, and administrate all SU standing orders.
• Act as principal point of contact for BRNC, Defence Medical Services, Defence Post Graduate Medical Deanery, Navy Recruit & Attract, Directorate of Naval Personnel Strategy, The Directorate of Naval Personnel, Defence Joint Hospital Group units, Branch Managers and other Services or authorities with respect to RN SUs.
• Be accountable for the delivery of all SU Courses and the post-GREEN ENDEAVOUR course for Phase 1 NEMOs/NEDOs.
• Maintain close liaison with URNU and DSUS organisations to achieve SU scheme objectives.
• Represent the Universities Department at BRNC strategic and tactical meetings, as well as any other whole ship activities when required.
• Deliver overall leadership and management of all SU streams: This is to include, but is not limited to, Sponsorship Payments, Training Requirements Authority (TRA) liaison, Policy Influence, Welfare and Duty of Care, Discipline, Oversight of fitness and medical, and debt recovery.
• Be the BRNC representative, articulating Training Delivery Authority (TDA) requirements for the future development of the SU schemes. To include membership of the DSUS Working Group and DSUS Implementation Board, ensuring appropriate engagement with the DSUS Programme Management Board level.
• Deliver strategic development of the Training Delivery Authority role including liaison with OF4/OF5 stakeholders in Navy R&A, Branch Management and Work Force Planning Team.

Authority

SUSO is authorised to:

• Deal directly with university and Service authorities regarding the military training, career progress and administration of SUs.
• Prepare letters dealing with university matters for signature by Cdr U or Capt BRNC. (letters dealing with routine university matters may be signed by SUSO).
• Management of warnings systems for SUs.
• Approve, and where necessary advise on, SUs’ routine changes of courses and selections of course options, and advise on VWFT/CWFT cases to BRNC Chain of Command.

Be the NCHQ sub-budget holder and related UIN authoriser to approve for SUs:

1.  All expense and allowance claims and fees as delegated.
2. Travel abroad, when required.
3. Self-arranged external training activities.

Accountability

• SUSO is accountable to Cdr U, as 1RO, and Capt BRNC, as 2RO, in the execution of their primary roles.
• SUSO is accountable to Cdr BRNC, Cdr T, and 1st Lieutenant in the execution of their secondary roles.
• SUSO has functional and tasking authority over the SCMAN and SCAO.
• SUSO has functional and tasking authority over DSUSO and any future SU divisional officers.
• SUSO holds Delegated Authority for BRNC SU Office Staff Budget (N0355) and Navy Command Budget for Sponsored Undergraduates (N6032T).

Essential competencies

Must be an OF3 of ANY specialisation. OF2 applicants with a recommend for the next higher rank in their most recent OJAR may be considered. 

OF4 applicants, if successful, will only be paid as and normally wear the rank of OF3.

Must be serving as a member of the Reserve Forces or have served with the Regular Forces.

Essential Competences

• Advanced Care of Trainees (ACOT) (Can be gained in post)
• Financial Skills Certificate (Can be gained in post)
• Low Value Purchase Certificate (Can be gained in post)
• Full Driving Licence

Desirable competencies

Desirable Competencies

• ICSC (M/MR)
• FAL2 (Can be gained in post)

Selection Process

Applicants will undergo an initial eligibility sift. Successful applicants will have their details forwarded to the Post Sponsor to arrange interviews. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised accordingly.

Following interviews; the successful applicant will be informed that they are the Preferred Candidate with details being sent to the CM RES FTRS Cell who will continue the recruitment process. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised accordingly.

Once the recruitment process is complete then the Preferred Candidate will be invited to take up FTRS.

The start date is the anticipated one however, applicants should be aware a number of factors will potentially impact on this including the completion of pre-employment checks, medical category confirmation and the award of a Security Clearance. The start date could therefore be adjusted as appropriate – earlier for a fully qualified person with their and the employers agreement, or later if approvals cannot be immediately completed.

Additional information

INITIAL COMMITMENT LENGTH WILL NORMALLY BE 24 MONTHS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO EXTEND

NB: Where the Anticipated Start date has already passed, the start date will be ASAP

Eligibility for FTRS/ADC

Any member of the Maritime Reserves (RNR, RMR) or the Royal Fleet Reserves (RFR) (Ex-Regular Reserve) may volunteer to undertake a period of FTRS/ADC in accordance with the following:

Maritime Reserves:.

Members of the Maritime Reserves require a Final Date in Service beyond the expected period of the commitment they are applying for. Applicants who do not have sufficient service remaining are to submit an application for EOS with transfer to List-4 status prior to applying for the role.

EOS with transfer to List-4 Applications are to be submitted to (NAVY PEOPLE-CM RES CPO) Nicholas.Hatton869@mod.gov.uk with a cc address of (NAVY PEOPLE-CM RES FTRS WO1) Daz.Bale225@mod.gov.uk, stating the specific role applied for, for which an EoS with transfer to List-4 is sought. FTRS applications received that do not have a concurrent EOS with transfer to List 4 application in progress will be rejected during the initial sift process.

Applications for EOS with transfer to List 4 status will not be accepted within 8 weeks of the applicant’s current Final Date in Service.

RFR (Ex-Regulars):

Ex-Regular personnel whose RFR liability has run out will be re-instated in the RFR to take up FTRS/ADC.

Applicants undertaking a period of FTRS/ADC must be suitably qualified by rank/rate, specialisation, qualifications and experience to fill the posts for which they apply.

Applications will be accepted from reservists who hold a rank/rate one or more above the advertised rank/rate or hold a rank/rate one below the advertised rank/rate.  

• Applicants one rate below may be interviewed at the discretion of the FTRS Cell/Line Manager and may be employed in the acting higher rate (excluding the advertised rate of WO2 or WO1) if they are suitable, qualified, meet current promotion regulations in all respects and are selected to do so. Otherwise, may be given the opportunity to carry out the role in their substantive rank/rate; the payment of Substitution Pay (SUPA) may be considered by the employer.
• Applicants of a higher rank/rate prepared to serve in a position at a lower rank/rate than their current or former substantive rank will wear uniform, and be paid, at the Upper Rank/Rate’ level appropriate to that of the position on JPA. Exceptions will not normally be considered.

Ex-Regular Reserves of an equivalent rank from the Army or Royal Air Force are required to join the Maritime Reserves (RNR/RMR) before being eligible to apply.

Applications from those above normal FTRS/ADC retirement age (60) will be considered by exception.

Medical/Dental

Applicants must also be medically fit, and meet the minimum medical category required for the level of commitment, to fulfil the duties which their Commitment will require them to undertake.

• A medical form to confirm MedCat and suitability to be employed is required to be returned within 2 weeks of commencing the role, or the commitment may be revoked.

Personnel who have been discharged via the RN Medical Board of Survey (MOBS) or the RN Medical Employability Board (MEB), do not have a RFR liability and are therefore unable to be considered for any FTRS/ADC/VERR role.

Only personnel on FTRS(FC) commitments will be entitled to the full range of Service Medical and Dental support. Those on lower levels will be entitled to emergency medical support whilst on duty.

Pension Issues. 

Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Reserves/Re-employment Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking FTRS service has on their pension, EDP, Resettlement Grant or Terminal Benefits.

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 and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant. Other organisations such as the Armed Forces Pension Society or the White Ensign Association may also be able to offer advice, but it is stressed that only DBS can provide an authoritative answer.

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. 

Naval Core Training (NCT), Individual Training Requirement (IRT) and Defence Mandated Training (DMT)

 Personnel on FTRS commitments are required to maintain currency in NCT, IRT and MDT in alignment with the rest of the RN/RM. The successful applicant will be expected to complete all modules and have them recorded on JPA within 2 months of commencing employment. This is an employer’s responsibility to monitor. 

• RNFT/PES

Personnel on FTRS Limited/Home/ADC/VERRs commitments are exempt the RNFT/PES, unless they are a member of the RNR/RMR who should remain in date.

 Annual Salary and Leave. 

Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the Armed Forces annually, and as governed by JSP 754.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760. Note, you are not able to carry forward leave from a Regular commission/engagement when commencing an FTRS Commitment or from one FTRS Commitment role to another FTRS Commitment role.

Allowances.

Entitlement to allowances is in accordance with JSP 752 however the following should be noted:

Get you Home (Travel)                  Only paid to qualifying personnel on FTRS(FC)

Home Duty Travel                          Only paid to qualifying personnel on FTRS(FC), and those on FTRS(LC), (HC) and ADC are eligible to HDT if they are assigned to Inner London (defined as a five mile radius of Charing Cross). 

Accommodation.

Personnel serving on FTRS(FC) TCoS are entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Families Accommodation (SFA) as per Regular entitlements. 

Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are only eligible to occupy surplus Single Living Accommodation (SLA), at non-entitled rates.

Personnel serving on VeRR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation.

Applications for this job are to be submitted via SERVE please click the APPLY button below.

Terms of reference

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