Astra Innovation Cyber Officer

Vacancy summary

Recruiting Service   Royal Air Force SERVE Ref/JPAN/URN   2244410 NATO Rank(s)   OR-9 - WO1 - WO/Macr UK Rank(s)   Master Aircrew, Warrant Officer Closing date  

05/12/2024, 23:55 

Anticipated start date   March 2025 Commitment length   5 Years Open to personnel from   Royal Air Force Branch/Trade/Profession   Any Specialisation   Any Location   RAF Cranwell Region   Lincolnshire Country   United Kingdom Engagement type   Additional Duties Commitment

Vacancy detail

Task requirements  

A vacancy has arisen for a Warrant Officer/MAcr (Any Profession) to serve as Astra Innovation Cyber Officer (AICO) at RAF Cranwell on Additional Duties Commitment (ADC (180)) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 3 March 2025 (or earlier/later, subject to candidate status).

As AICO the incumbent is responsible to SO1 Astra Innovation for the management and development of Astra Operating Model Cyber compliance procedures. This will require knowledge of Cyber Secure by Design (SbD), RAF Digital accreditation as well as providing advice, guidance and mentoring to Astra Innovation Project Managers.

Principle roles to include:

• Development and oversight of Astra Operating Model Cyber compliance procedures.
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for advice to all Astra Innovation Project Managers and Stn Continuous Improvement teams on Cyber Secure by Design and digital compliance activity associated with proposed and ongoing innovation projects.
• Advise Astra Innovation Project Managers on Secure by Design utilising the recently developed Astra Cyber compliance model.
• Identify and evaluate cyber security risks associated with vulnerabilities and threats to Defence’s information systems and data for Astra Digital Ideas.
• Assess the impact and likelihood of identified cyber risks and propose appropriate management strategies including avoidance, mitigation, sharing, and acceptance to Innovators and SROs.
• Create and maintain a detailed risk register, integrating cyber security risks into the Astra’s overall risk management plan.
• Liaise with RAF Digital and Air Cyber Services Centre to support Astra Innovation projects as they progress through the Astra Operating Model.
• Assure Head Astra that Astra Innovation Projects are digitally compliant and cyber risk appropriate.
• Act as Astra Digital Relationship Manager liaising with RAF Digital with Astra projects that require RAF Digital support.
• Collaboration with the Astra Innovation Team to support the development of the Astra Operating Model, and to support the success of Astra Innovation.
• Support SO1 Astra Innovation in the management of innovation projects as required.

Essential competencies  

Must either have been, or currently be a WO/MAcr (Any) or a FS (Any) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 560 and AP 3376 Vol 1. 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.  

• Excellent organisational, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with both IT and executive teams.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and negotiate with high-level stakeholders.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable competencies  

• Bachelor or masters degree in Information Security, Cyber Security, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or similar.
• Proficient in digital collaboration tools such as MS Teams.
• Prior experience in managing teams in a cyber security context.
• Proven experience in cyber security risk management, policy formulation, and compliance monitoring.
• Strong understanding of current cyber security technologies, protocols, and standards including Defence’s SbD.
• Experience in risk assessment and risk management strategies.

Selection Process  

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 (for aviators)/4 (for officers) appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Wg Cdr James Walker (james.walker924@mod.gov.uk)  

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 James Walker (james.walker924@mod.gov.uk)

The closing date for applications is 5 December 2024 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place week commencing 18 December or as required.

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 (180) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 5 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.

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.

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.