Covenant Manager, Raf Families Federation

COVENANT MANAGER, RAF FAMILIES FEDERATION

Job Description & Person Specification

Appointment:Covenant Manager

RAF Families Federation

Responsible to:Director, RAF Families Federation

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Location:Wittering, Cambridgeshire

Main Purpose of the Job

The RAF FF exists to provide RAF families with an independent voice regarding issues that are of concern to them. It is a confidential service that relies upon the integrity and professionalism of its staff to deliver a Federation that is both credible and respected by all parties

The AF Covenant Manager is responsible to the Director RAF FF for liaising with regional authorities, RAF units, personnel and families on AF Covenant issues, identifying and sharing best practice and reporting issues and concerns. This is a significant role with potential to shape government policy on the future of the AF Covenant and requires someone with the necessary confidence, initiative and experience to engage at senior levels. Specifically the role is responsible for:

Role definition

Primary Responsibilities

• Support RAF Station Commanders, local AF Covenant Champions and Community Support staffs, including RAF reserve units, by aiding coherence and co-operation between units and external organisations involved in Community Covenant engagement activity.
• Liaise with RAF personnel and their families, Community Support, HiVE and SSAFA staffs on Covenant-related issues and initiatives as developed and promulgated by MoD SP Support Covenant staff, other MoD policy leads or HQ Air CS, as required.
• Promote the role, purpose and relevance of the AF Covenant across the whole RAF Community, including serving regular and reserve personnel and their families and RAF single personnel.
• Promote the AF Covenant and RAF families’ issues in the relevant region by representing the RAF FF at regional Local Authority Covenant partnership meetings, conferences and at other appropriate meetings and engagement events.
• Identify and report to Dir RAF FF, good practice operated by relevant agencies, authorities and units for sharing more widely within the RAF Covenant community.
• Monitor, assess and report on the implementation and interpretation of Covenant
• initiatives with appropriate senior local government representatives, local authorities and OGDs such as DWP, NHS England and DfE.
• Capture and report problems with the implementation AF Covenant principles and any issues or instances of disadvantage due to Service that cannot be resolved at a local level or with the Service provider to Dir RAF FF.
• Populate the RAF FF database with relevant Covenant issues and monitor progress in delivery of initiatives and projects.
• Identify and communicate to HQ Air and RAF units Covenant opportunities and initiatives for the RAF serving communities to exploit and/or engage with where appropriate – both nationally and regionally.
• Identify and report Corporate Covenant initiatives and engagement events and on a regional basis to Dir FFed.
• Act as a Member of a Covenant Grant RDA panel on invitation.
• Work closely with MoD People Support Covenant staff, Defence Relationship Management Organisation, NFF and AFF Covenant staff on joint initiatives and projects.
• Support requests for information and case studies to respond to higher level requirements including, but not limited to:
• Parliamentary Questions and Ministerial Correspondence
• Covenant Annual Report
• Freedom of Information requests
• VIP visits and formal inspections

Key Performance Indicators:

• Visit RAF and appropriate Joint units in the applicable region at least once every 6 months to meet with unit Chain of Command and/or Covenant Champions or Community Support staff to discuss issues and report progress. Maintain more frequent contact via electronic means.
• Provide regular regional updates on Covenant issues, trends and key events in a written format, on a minimum of a quarterly basis, to RAF unit COC/Covenant Champions.
• Visit LA Covenant Champions in the applicable region at least once every 6 months to discuss relevant issues and review progress.
• Report monthly to Dir RAF FF on activity/progress/future intent.
• Dir RAF FF to include consolidated Covenant staff updates in the wider quarterly reports to HQ Air CS.
• Covenant issues to be a standing agenda item for the quarterly HQ Air Routine Contract Meeting to discuss and review progress.
• RAF FF Covenant Coordinators / staff to ensure appropriate representation at National and Regional Covenant Workshops/Conferences.

RAF FAMILIES FEDERATION

EVIDENCE MANAGER / DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Person Specification

• A sound understanding of the RAF lifestyle and its impact on serving members and their families
• A sound understanding of the RAF/MoD rules and regulations which impact upon Service families
• A high degree of computer literacy, with particular competences in Access, Excel and other Microsoft Office software applications
• Experience of maintaining and analyzing data
• The ability to work under pressure and within tight time and budgetary constraints
• Clean driving licence

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• A confident character accustomed to public-speaking, with an ability to engage with audiences of any size and type.
• High level of efficiency and accuracy in preparing reports and briefing materiel.
• Ability to work in a team and create relationships with colleagues and management based on trust

• Proven experience of managing staff
• Strong appraisal skills

• Strong organisational skills and ability to develop strategic plans
• Proven decision-making and problem-solving skills

• Experience of managing budgets and contracts

• Confidentiality in all matters
• Proven experience of managing personal data
• Proven experience of extracting and analysing statistical data

• Required to undertake frequent visits to RAF units both in the UK and overseas and can expect to spend some nights away from home. Time off in lieu may be granted for these additional hours
• The postholder may be required to work longer working days on occasions, for which no overtime is payable
• The postholder will be required to occasionally work outdoors in support of Federation displays at unit events, such as Families Days.

• Insured for, and able to use own car for business use.
• Fit to undertake manual handling associated with this role e.g. transportation of equipment during unit visits

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