Chief Executive (Highland RFCA)

The Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets’ Association (HRFCA) is one of 13 RFCAs which provide support for reserve forces and cadet units throughout the UK. Each RFCA has a volunteer membership of some 120 – 200 and is served by a small, full-time, salaried executive and a Professional Support Staff supporting each of the five Army Cadet Force (ACF) battalions.

The HRFCA region comprises Scotland north of the Forth-Clyde canal, from Campbeltown to Shetland.

General Description of the CE Role: The HRFCA Chief Executive (CE) is responsible to the Chair of the Board for the efficient management of staff, business outputs and affairs of the Association in accordance with the policies laid down by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Council of RFCAs (CRFCA), the Association and its Board, and for supporting and sustaining the volunteer membership. All RFCA activity is aimed at delivering high quality support to the Reserves and Cadets.

Principal Areas of Accountability, Duties and Tasks:

• The effective delivery of all RFCA business outputs in line with MoD, Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Navy/Army/Air-Force Service Level Agreements (SLA).
• The efficient management of all people, financial and material resources.
• Ensuring that the RFCA operates in accordance with its own Health and Safety policies.
• Acting as the Association’s Accounting Officer, ensuring the observance of strict propriety and probity in the handling of public funds.

Duties:

• Ex officio Member of the HRFCA Board and act as its secretary.
• Advise the Chair on all Association matters, at both regional and national level.
• Member of the CRFCA Executive Board and committees as requested.
• Produce an annual Board approved Management Plan.
• Lead and guide the Senior Management Team.
• Oversee the administration of finances and exercise budgetary control.
• Oversee the Annual Budgetary Cycle (ABC) financial planning round.
• Maintain a vibrant, inclusive, diverse and effective regional network of volunteer members.
• Convene boards, meetings and other committees where required.

Tasks – Output Related:

• Oversee the efficient management, maintenance and development of the reserve and cadet estate.
• Maximise opportunity for generating income from the sub-letting of properties.
• Oversee and drive an engagement strategy and plan for regional employer engagement.
• Promote community engagement between the Armed Forces and cadets.
• Foster close and continuous co-operation with the armed forces in the region.
• Engage with a wide range of private and public bodies.
• Represent and advocate on behalf of the Association.
• Attend meetings and conferences regionally and nationally as required.

Tasks - People and Line Management:

• Maintain, recruit, administer, lead and manage the executive staff of the Association.
• Act as line manager for all Heads of Department.
• Ensure that delegated line management responsibilities are effectively discharged.

Reporting: The CE reports to the Association Chair.

Person Specification:

• Qualification - preferably educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Experience – armed forces unit command and staff experience at Lt Col / SO1 / OF4 level or above.
• A detailed understanding of and appropriate experience of working with the UK armed forces is essential.
• Computer literate with demonstrable experience using management information systems.
• A full valid car driving licence is required.

Personal qualities & behaviours:

• A confident leader with demonstrable communication and influencing skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, adaptable.
• Excellent team-player with good attention to detail.

Other Requirements:

• Live within a reasonable commuting distance of Dundee.
• Comply with RFCA health and safety policies and procedures.
• Regular evening and weekend working may be required.