JOB OVERVIEW

Chief Executive
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association
Applications are invited for the full-time post of Chief Executive, West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (West Midland RFCA) based in Harborne, Birmingham.
This Crown Service (Civil Service Grade 6/Grade B1 equivalent) has a targeted start date of July/August 2025 with some flexibility for the right candidate.
West Midland RFCA. West Midland RFCA is one of 13 regionally based RFCAs. The RFCAs are arms-length bodies of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with Crown status.

The West Midland RFCA role is to provide first class support to the tri-service Reserves and MOD-sponsored Cadet Forces across the six counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. With some 70 permanent staff, tasks include:

• Maintaining a regional network of volunteer members and influential stakeholders.
• Providing property, asset and facilities management of the Reserve Forces and Cadets estate comprising over 148 sites and 400 buildings throughout the region.
• Widely promoting the Armed Forces.
• Conducting employer engagement to persuade employers to support their employees in their Reserve service and Cadet Force adult volunteering, whilst sustaining supportive employers.
• Supporting the MOD Cadets and Youth programme as appropriate, including the employment of full time professional staff for the Army Cadet Force.

The Chief Executive Role. The West Midland RFCA CE is responsible to the Chair and the Board for the efficient management of staff, business outputs (estates, engagement, cadets and youth) and affairs of the Association. The appointment requires commitment, motivation and energy, and the imagination to take forward the work of the Association in supporting and representing the Reserves and Cadets, as well as the wider interests of the Armed Services and Defence for the future. They need to enjoy engaging with people of all backgrounds.
Applicants should have command and staff experience at major unit level, or have been in similar leadership, managerial, organisational and senior administrative roles in a civilian organisation. Experience of serving with the Reserve Forces or Cadets is desirable. Understanding and knowledge of the Reserve Forces, Cadets and MOD budgetary procedures is highly desirable.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. Civil Service Behaviours required (Success Profile).[1]
   a. Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4
   b. Changing and Improving - Level 4
   c. Making Effective Decisions - Level 4
   d. Leadership - Level 4
   e. Communicating and Influencing - Level 4
   f. Working Together - Level 4
   g. Developing Self and Others - Level 4
   h. Managing a Quality Service - Level 4
   i. Delivering at Pace - Level 4
2. Required skills/experience.
   a. Qualification - preferably educated to degree level or equivalent.
   b. Experience - should have command and staff experience at military major unit level, or been in similar leadership, managerial, organisational and senior administrative roles in a civilian organisation. Experience of serving with the Reserve Forces or Cadets is desirable.
   c. Computer literate (possessing a good working knowledge of current MS-Office applications) with demonstrable experience using management information systems. Comfortable utilising internet research tools including the retrieval of statistics for further analysis and presentation.
   d. A full driving licence is required.
   e. This post-holder will be required to hold an Enhanced clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and to be Security Check cleared through National Security Vetting.
3. Personal qualities & behaviours.
   a. Confident with demonstrable communication skills, and the ability to engage with individuals at all levels.
   b. Proactive, self-motivated, adaptable.
   c. Keen to advance individual skills and personal development.
   d. Ability to prioritise tasks and time manage effectively recognising where influence and authority lies and its impact on account activity.
   e. Excellent team-player and compassionate leader.
   f. An inquiring mind with an organised approach to engagement and information management and good attention to detail.
   Other Requirements.
   10.
   a. While the role is Birmingham (Harborne) based, a substantial amount of travel across the region, and beyond on occasions, is expected.
   b. Comply at all times with RFCA health and safety policies, staff regulations and procedures, and data protection/freedom of information requirements.
   c. Regular evening and weekend working, which will be compensated with Time off in Lieu (TOIL) or overtime payments.
   d. Comply with the RFCA’s Code of Conduct and avoid any behaviour which discriminates against colleagues, potential employees or contractors on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
4. This job description:
   a. Should be discussed/read with the line manager at the time of receiving the Annual Performance & Development Report.
   b. May be reviewed in the light of changes during the period of your appointment and on change of incumbent.
   Because of the changing nature of the business, the job description will inevitably change from time to time. You may be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within your capabilities and are commensurate with your grade.

ROLES OF THE THIRTEEN RFCAS

1. The 13 regional RFCAs are represented nationally by the Council of RFCAs (CRFCA). The Chair of each RFCA is a member of the Council, which employs a secretariat, who, through the CRFCA Board, advise and coordinate the activities of the RFCAs. CRFCA is the single point of contact for all MOD, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Single Service stakeholders by whom the RFCAs are funded.
2. The main roles of RFCAs are to:
   a. Provide assistance and advice to the Defence Council.
   b. Provide representation and advocacy of the Armed Forces (specifically the Reserves) and the MOD-sponsored Cadet movement.
   c. Provide hard and soft facilities management for the Reserve Forces and Cadets estate (known as the Volunteer Estate).
   d. Provide personnel and financial management.
   e. Provide indirect support to recruiting for the Regular and Reserve Forces and for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
   f. Conduct marketing and publicity for the Reserves and the Cadets.
   g. Conduct employer engagement and support.
   h. Conduct wider community engagement.
3. The staff of the RFCAs maintain close liaison with the relevant Royal Navy (RN), Royal Marine (RM), Army and Royal Air Force (RAF) Headquarters and the DIO to ensure effective coordination of supporting activities for the Reserve Forces and MOD-sponsored cadet organisations.
4. The CE holds, on behalf of both the Association and the Secretary of State, freehold land and properties. This power is incorporated into the Scheme of Association made by the Defence Council, as the Association is a body corporate with a Common Seal.
   [1] Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)
   Terms and Conditions. The salary is £70,540 p.a. A standard working week is 37 hours. The incumbent is required to regularly work additional hours in the evenings and at weekends, which may be compensated. Annual leave, excluding public holidays, is 25 days rising to 30 over 5 years (30 days immediately if candidate has qualifying previous public service). An attractive career average (CARE) Pension Scheme is available.
   An Association car is provided and applicants must hold a current driving licence. They should be prepared to travel extensively across the region and beyond, including to London. The successful candidate will need to be security cleared and gain Enhanced DBS clearance. The appointment is for an initial probationary period of six months, continuing as a permanent position thereafter.
   Application. Applicants should forward a covering letter together with a CV, each of no more than two pages, demonstrating how they meet the essential requirements of this role and why they consider themselves suitable, indicating their interest and motivation, and current notice period/availability. Applicants are encouraged to make contact with the Chief Executive.

The West Midland RFCA role is to provide first class support to the tri-service Reserves and MOD-sponsored Cadet Forces across the six counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. With some 70 permanent staff, tasks include:

• Maintaining a regional network of volunteer members and influential stakeholders.
• Providing property, asset and facilities management of the Reserve Forces and Cadets estate comprising over 148 sites and 400 buildings throughout the region.
• Widely promoting the Armed Forces.
• Conducting employer engagement to persuade employers to support their employees in their Reserve service and Cadet Force adult volunteering, whilst sustaining supportive employers.
• Supporting the MOD Cadets and Youth programme as appropriate, including the employment of full time professional staff for the Army Cadet Force