Job Description

Applications are invited for a Deputy Chief Executive with the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Northern Ireland (RFCA NI). This full time Crown Service (Civil Service grade SEO equivalent) post is available for an immediate start.

RFCA NI

RFCA NI is one of 13 autonomous arms-length bodies of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with Crown Status. The RFCA NI's role is to provide first-class support to tri-service reserves and MOD-sponsored cadet forces across Northern Ireland.

The Role

The Deputy Chief Executive (DCE) role has two distinct areas of responsibility: as the RFCA NI Chief of Staff; and Head of Department (HoD) for the Cadets and Youth pillar.

As Chief of Staff, the DCE is to deputise for the Chief Executive, in his absence, on all RFCA (NI) matters. They will also be responsible to the Chief Executive to deliver a number of key business outputs.

As Head of Cadets and Youth, they will be the specific focal point for all matters relating to youth and cadets in the region, including liaison with the wider youth and schools sector.

A full job description is available from ni-info@rfca.org.uk.

The post holder will be required to work a 37 hour week (excluding lunchbreaks).

Salary and Benefits

The salary for the appointment at commencement is

48,920

per annum plus a Northern Ireland Allowance of 750 per annum. The successful candidate will be eligible to elect to join the Council of RFCAs pension scheme. This is a Career Average Revalued Earnings scheme (CARE).

The successful candidate will be entitled to 25 days' annual leave entitlement on appointment, plus bank holidays. (Annual leave entitlement increases by 1 day per year up to 30 days; those with 5 years' prior service with HM Forces/OGD will start with 30 days' entitlement.)

Requirements

The successful candidate will be required to serve a probationary period of six months and final confirmation of the appointment is dependent upon the satisfactory completion of this probationary period. The successful candidate will be required to be Security Cleared (SC).

Application and interviews

Applications should be received no later than

5pm on Friday 30th May 2025

and should be sent by email to ni-info@rfca.org.uk marked "Deputy Chief Executive Application". The shortlist of applicants called for interview will be notified shortly after this date.

Applications should comprise:

A completed application form (available at https://cloud.rfca.org.uk/s/RXxiPsEDGYgMQ7L or on request from: ni-info@rfca.org.uk).

A cover letter explaining the applicant's motivation for applying for the role and outlining their suitability and eligibility.

Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 23rd June 2025.

:

Deputy Chief Executive

Grade:

SEO

Department

: Business Support/ Cadets & Youth

Reporting To:

Chief Executive

Location:

25 Windsor Park, Belfast, BT9 6FR

Job Purpose

The Deputy Chief Executive (DCE) role has two distinct areas of responsibility: as the RFCA NI Chief of Staff; and Head of Department (HoD) for the Cadets and Youth pillar.

As Chief of Staff, the DCE is to deputise for the Chief Executive, in his absence, on all RFCA (NI) matters. They will also be responsible to the Chief Executive to deliver a number of key business outputs.

As Head of Cadets and Youth, they will be the specific focal point for all matters relating to youth and cadets in the region, including liaison with the wider youth and schools sector.

Principal Areas of Accountability

The Deputy Chief Executive has the following responsibilities:

Chief of Staff:

1. Deputise for Chief Executive when required.

2. Implement RFCA policy decisions and Standing Instructions.

3. Support the CE in the delivery of the various customer Service Level Agreements, including the establishment of targets and Key Performance Indicators.

4. Lead on all security matters, liaising with both civilian police and 38 (Irish) Brigade G2. Ensure awareness of security issues by all staff and ensure regular briefings.

5. Produce the annual Management Plan and the Business Continuity Plan.

6. Be the lead for data protection and GDPR as the Association's Data Control Officer (in house training provided). Ensure data protection policy is fully understood by staff. Seek advice where required from the CRFCA employed Data Protection Officer.

7. Maintain the Association's risk register.

8. Oversee the creation of H&S Policy within the Association and ensure compliance with H&SAWA 1974 and other statutory legislation and with direction and guidance issued by CRFCA and MoD where applicable.

9. Control such budgets as are delegated in the Management Plan, and act as second signatory for online banking, BACS and cheques, with the concomitant audit and checking responsibilities.

10. Coordinate, monitor and evaluate outputs of the Association requiring action by more than one Department.

11. Coordinate the Association's responses to external requests for information from the Council of RFCAs, Chains of Command and other bodies.

Cadets and Youth:

12. Act as an advocate for the cadet organisations and as the focal point for all regional cadet and youth matters.

13. Lead and manage the Permanent Support Staff (PSS), ensuring that they deliver outputs as laid down in the CRFCA/HQ ARMY Service Level Agreement (SLA).

14. Coordinate the Association's wider support to the ACF as detailed in Section 2 of the RFCA Regulations 2014, including, in collaboration with the Head of Communications (HoC), support to the recruitment of Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs); enhance cooperation between the Army Reserve and ACF; increase the synergy and awareness between all Cadet Forces in NI with a view to promoting best practice; exploit third party funding; help set the conditions to stimulate cadets to consider a military career.

15. Oversee the provision of administrative and logistic support to the RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC) as set out in the CRFCA/Air Command SLA.

16. Through close liaison with cadet staff at 38 (Irish) Brigade, ensure joined up delivery of Safeguarding and other policy areas.

17. Exploit opportunities for wider youth engagement in the region including coordination of the Cadet Engagement Plan (CEP) into schools and to identify opportunities for controlled community-based cadet expansion. In this context, he will ensure that:

a. He retains oversight of wider Defence engagement in the youth sector, with a view to ensuring that, from a defence perspective, engagement is optimised.

b. There is clarity and full exposure of activities that bear upon youth interfaces across the RFCA.

c. He acts as the Army and Air Cadet focus for the integration and development of youth initiatives and seeks funding opportunities available from cross-departmental youth engagement.

18. Act as the Secretary for the Cadets & Schools Committee (which in turn reports to the Board).

19. Oversee the management by the CEOs of the ACF operating budget, including the provision of budget forecasts and monitor that all spending is within the authorised areas for expenditure.

General:

20. The role involves frequent work in the evenings and at weekends when required for which Overtime or Time Off in Lieu may be taken.

21. The post holder must be prepared to perform any other task, within the broad remit of the role, which may be reasonably required by the Chief Executive.

22. Performance and Development Reports (PDRs) - At the mid-year point and end of reporting year, assess performance and write reports as the line manager on the two Cadet Executive Officers and the School Cadet Engagement Officer. Act as Countersigning Officer for all other members of the Professional Support Staff.

Competences Required for the Post

:

Essential:

Senior leadership and management experience, including the development of personnel. Experience of stakeholder engagement; the ability to build strong, lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Good organisational and time management skills, attention to detail and ability to prioritise tasks. Strong IT skills, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel. Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentational skills. A good team worker, but with the ability to also work effectively alone. Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

:

Experience of managing budgets. Experience with reserve or cadet forces.

Skills & Behaviours (SEO grade)

Leadership -

Examples of leadership at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

ensure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, activities and time-frames. take into account different individual needs, views, and ideas, championing inclusion and equality of opportunity for all. consider the impacts of own and team's activities on stakeholders and end users role-model commitment and satisfaction with role. recognise and praise the achievements of others to drive positivity within the team effectively manage conflict, misconduct and non-inclusive behaviour, raising with senior managers where appropriate.

Making effective decisions -

Examples of making effective decisions at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

understand your own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate. analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular. consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.

Seeing the big picture -

Examples of seeing the big picture at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area. seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge of the team's business area. understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

Working together -

Examples of working together at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

encourage joined up team work within your own team and across other groups. establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. collaborate with these to share information, resources and support. invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another. put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Delivering at pace -

Examples of delivering at pace at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

show a positive approach to keeping the whole team's efforts focused on the top priorities. promote a culture of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation. ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively. regularly monitor your own and team's work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks. act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance. allow individuals the space and authority to meet objectives, providing additional support where necessary, whilst keeping overall responsibility.

Communicating and influencing -

Examples of communicating and influencing at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner - choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. encourage the use of different communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness. ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people's individual needs. share information as appropriate and check understanding. show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same. ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests.

Developing self and others -

Examples of developing yourself and others at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

identify capability gaps for yourself and your team. ensure development objectives are set and achieved to address any gaps and enable delivery of current and future work. take time to coach, mentor and develop other colleagues to support succession planning. promote inclusiveness by respecting different personal needs in the team and use these to develop others. reflect on your own work, continuously seek and act on feedback to improve own and team's performance.

Changing and improving -

Examples of changing and improving at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

work with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources. use technology where possible to increase efficiency. encourage ideas for change from a wide range of sources. clearly explain the reasons for change to colleagues and how to implement them, supporting individuals with different needs to adapt to change. encourage an environment where colleagues know that they can challenge decisions and issues safely. take managed risks by fully considering the varied impacts changes could have on the diverse range of end users.

Managing a quality service -

Examples of managing a quality service at HEO and SEO grades or equivalent are when you:

develop, implement, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers' needs and gives value for money. identify risks and resolve issues efficiently. involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements. establish ways to find and respond to feedback from customers about the services provided.

Benefits Package

Salary of 48,920 plus Northern Ireland allowance of 750 pa

Pension Scheme 5% Employee and 13% Employer

Annual Leave 25 Days (rising by up to 5 days for reckonable service) plus bank holidays

Hybrid working is negotiable, with up to 2 days working from home

Bonus Scheme

Support for further training and CPD

The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Northern Ireland is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from eligible candidates no matter what their gender, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin or religious belief.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 48,920.00 per year

Additional pay:

Yearly bonus
Benefits:

Company pension Enhanced maternity leave Free flu jabs Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Paid volunteer time Sick pay
Schedule:

Monday to Friday Weekend availability
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/05/2025
Expected start date: 01/08/2025