STN COS AND ENGAGEMENT COORD

Job Description

A vacancy has arisen for a Sqn Ldr (People Ops – Pers (Spt)) to serve as Station Chief of Staff and Engagement Coord at RAF Coningsby on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 02 March 2026 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status). 

As the holder of the position of Chief of Staff and Engagement Coord you are responsible to OC BSW for the cross cutting coordination function at RAF Coningsby in support the Stn Executive.  This includes managing the visit programme, performance and risk management, workforce and force generation, governance and assurance, parenting and service level agreements and the In Year Delivery Plan.  You have line management responsibilities for a small Whole Force team.  You are expected to work to meet the needs of RAF Coningsby as directed and are to:  

a.    Coordinate and run RAF Coningsby’s visits programme including visits by senior members of the RAF, VVIPs Defence and Ministers as well as visits in support of the UK’s Prosperity Agenda working closely with the Media and Communications Officer.

b.    Manage RAF Coningsby’s top-level activity programme to ensure that events, visits and other Station-wide activities are appropriately de-conflicted and scheduled. 

c.    Act as the AB focal point for Performance and Risk Mgt to ensure coherent and relevant reporting in conjunction with the risk owners and manager.

d.    Oversee the AB FGen process and monitor SLIM and JPA amendments and requirements to maintain an accurate picture of the Stn workforce.

e.    Act as the focal point for the requirement and allocation of all Holding Officers.

f.    Act as the Stn focal point for advice and assistance on alternative workforce solutions in conjunction with the Regional Reserves Co-ordination Officer to maximise opportunities.

g.    Develop and coordinate the Stn governance structure to drive the battle rhythm to include Stn Executive Briefs, Quarterly Briefs, Town Halls and the biannual Command Gp. 

h.    Act as the central conduit for all externally requested outputs or assurance visits to maintain a strategic picture on behalf of the Stn Cdr.

i.    Ensure the BSW BCPs are reviewed biennially, are up to date and relevant and tie into Transition to Conflict plans.

j.    Manage and deliver the Stn Cdr’s In Year Delivery Plan.

k.       Coordinate the production of mandated cross Station reports and submissions to include Matters of the Moment Briefs, the Stn’s Stainforth Trophy submission and the Stn’s input to CAS’ Report to HM the King.
l.    Review and update the Stn Parenting Agreement between Resident Units and the AB in consultation with Air Cmd.  Use this to maintain a Stn view of activity undertaken, workforce levels and RLS requirements.

m.        Co-ordinate the annual review of all Stn Service Level Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding to create an effective partnering culture and manage the document library.

n.    Coordinate RAF Coningsby’s programme of external community engagement visits, including the maintenance of the Station’s Stakeholder Register, working closely with the Community Development Officer. 

o.    Coordinate ad-hoc external takings where input is required across the Station and be the point of contact for coordinating Base Support Wing’s input into such taskings.

p.    Oversee the coordination and implementation of the Station Honours & Awards Ceremonies.

q.     Deliver the VIP element of the biennial Stn Families Day and work with Ops as required.  Deliver the annual Stn AFR and take the lead for the annual AFI.

s.    Act as the OIC of the Stn Engagement Fund and as a Commodity Holder.

r.      Perform any other duties, within the context of RAF Coningsby, as agreed by line management and/or as directed by higher authority.

t.    Act as the line manager for:
        
i.    SO3 Engagements Officer
ii.    Station Adjutant
iii.    Central Registry Staff
iv.    BSW Coord
v.    DPA
vi.    SWO’s gang

Essential Skills

Officers must either have been, or currently be, a Squadron Leader (People Ops) or a Flt Lt (People Ops) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. 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.

Competencies

• Completed PARMIS trg or to be completed within 1 month of arrival.
• CS Line Mgt trg or to be completed within 1 month of arrival.

Desirable Skills

• Command experience
• HQ Air experience
• Media training

Selection Process

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:

Name:  Wg Cdr Nick Startup

nick.startup412@mod.gov.uk

Tel:      07725227867

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 Nick Startup OC BSW; nick.startup412@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 17 November 2025 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place week commencing 24 November 2025.

Additional information

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 4 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 must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

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.

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 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.  However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF Coningsby.