SO2 ANY SENS ANY SHOOT

Job Description

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader (Any Profession) to serve as SO2 Any Sensor Any Shooter at RAF High Wycombe 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).

Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) against an evolving air and missile threat spectrum is one of Defence’s current highest priorities. It is a broad functional area that encompasses the Grand-Strategic/X-Gov and Military-Strategic/MOD levels, down to the military task (delivery/execution). Each level has different stakeholders and constructs.

Specific to the military task within ‘IAMD’ - Air’s core role of Control of the Air encompasses joint Counter-air missions to counter air and missile threats. Air is nominated as lead Command for the military execution of ‘IAMD’ in the joint, shared Air domain.

SO2 Any Sensor, Any Shooter will work to SO1 IAMD in support of Defence activity to counter air and missile threats, and through Air domain C4. The role will fall under AH Integration Air Cap Strat (OF5), working to Air Cap Strat Head (1*) under Air Cap Director Programs (2*) area of responsibility. You will be responsible for:

• The execution of IAMD-related operational analysis (OA) icw ASWC, RCO and Industry.
• Supporting the 3* IAMD SG-tasked ‘IAMD’ Capability Investigation.
• Providing Air SQEP and support to directed IAMD-themed taskings.
• Interfacing with Defence and joint ‘IAMD’ stakeholders (military, industrial, procurement and S&T) as required.
• Identifying and highlighting efficiencies and cross-over between IAMD enterprise enablers and other non-IAMD-related missions and roles; to avoid a stove-piped organisational ‘IAMD’ response.
• Tracking all outcomes and direction from 3* IAMD SG, 1* IAMD Board and relevant Military Capability Boards (MCB).
• Acting as Air contact for Industry and Academic events such as RUSI IAMD conferences.

Essential Skills

Must either have been, or currently be, Squadron Leader (Any Profession) or a Flight Lieutenant (Any Profession) 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.

Desirable Skills

• Tactical Command and Control Experience
• Experience of Allied/NATO Ops
• Deployed experience in a C2 unit at any level eg CAOC/AOC/CRC
• Defence planning experience.
• Awareness of MoD financial/security practices and regulations.
• Ability to use Microsoft Project or other project management software.
• Operational experience from a role anywhere within the wider joint Air and Missile Defence enterprise.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Applications to ECDL level.

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 Philip Harrild

philip.harrild799@mod.gov.uk

Tel: 0303 378 5290

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Wg Cdr Philip Harrild – philip.harrild799@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 05 November 2025 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place shortly afterwards.

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 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 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.

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 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 High Wycombe.