DEP RAFRLO SOUTH WEST

Job Description

A vacancy has arisen for a Sqn Ldr(Any Profession) to serve as Deputy RAF Regional Liaison Officer  for South West England on Volunteer ex-Regular Reserve (45 days) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 02 February 2026.

Deputy RAFRLOs report to HQ Air and support the primary RAFRLO in their designated region. They travel extensively within their areas, liaising with counterparts from the other two Services, civil emergency planning agencies, local services, civil authorities, and the public. While nominally based at HQ Air Command, these roles are remote-working positions, with incumbents provided the necessary IT and communication tools. The administrative hub or Parenting Unit will be determined based on the successful applicant’s home location, parenting currently provided by MoD Boscombe Down. 

All RAFRLOs report to HQ Air, DACOS UK Ops, and are responsible for regional multi-agency liaison to support RAF involvement in UK Resilience Operations. Key tasks include: 

• Liaising with RN/RM, Army, and RAF units; Army Division/Brigade HQs; Navy Regional HQs; regional government; local authorities; civil emergency services (CES); and other agencies to enhance cooperation in emergency planning and incident or disaster response.

• Participating in the planning and execution of joint exercises with RAF, RN, Army units, and local authorities for Aircraft Post Crash or Incident management or wider incident and disaster response where military units or resources may be involved.

• Advising regional organisations, local authorities, CES, and RAF units on Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA), including coordination between RAF units, regional organisations, local authorities, Navy Regional HQs, Army HQs, and HQ Air. This includes guidance on equipment, personnel, and costs.

• Acting as the link between RAF commanders deployed on MACA tasks and local Army Regional HQ staff (OF5 Army Joint Military Commander located at HQ SW Tidworth).

RAFRLOs also provide advice and liaison on military Homeland defence, including RAF Agile Combat Employment, Nuclear Emergency Response, and Arms Control Inspections. 

The role may require overnight stays for routine business, training, or to cover planned or short-notice absences while representing RAFRLO SW. The SW Region also covers the Channel Islands Bailiwicks in addition to the Counties of Cornwall &IOS, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Essential Skills

Must either have been, or currently be, a Sqn Ldr – Any Profession.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into RAFR service if an appropriate branch/trade sponsor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  Branch/trade sponsor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Required competencies:

• Full UK Driving Licence (car).
• The successful applicant will be required to undertake normal UKSV SC clearance if not already current.

Desirable Skills

• Command experience.
• Experience in Contingency Planning and the Joint Service and multi-agency environment.
• Competent in the use of MOD IT systems.
• Resident, or able to be located within the SW region.

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. Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Wg Cdr Dave Warren

Tel: +443001688174

Email: david.warren302@mod.gov.uk

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

david.warren302@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 10 November 2025 and interviews 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 Volunteer ex-Regular Reserve (45 days) 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.

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. This post is deployable within the UK and has safety critical elements, involves operational support activity and is not sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 does not apply.

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 not required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT.

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 VeRR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation.