HQ AFR-SO2 Medical Branch Assurance

UK Ministry of Defence; West of England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

WFH options

Job summary

UK Ministry of Defence in Bristol (Abbey Wood) seeks an OF3 Medical Branch Assurance for the Joint AFR recruitment program. The role involves assurance of clinical delivery across Tri-Service recruiting and collaboration with a commercial partner.

Expectations include governance alignment with DMS, GMC/NMC standards, and ongoing quality improvements. 60% in-office attendance and occasional travel apply; start March 2027.

Qualifications

• Must be an OF3 of any specialisation (OF2 with a recommendation may be considered).
• Must be serving in Reserve or Regular Forces.

Responsibilities

• Lead assurance for AFR Medical Branch compliance with Defence Medical Services and governance inspections.
• Identify and manage clinical risks to patient safety; implement quality improvement plans.
• Ensure clinical delivery meets GMC, NMC and military health governance requirements.
• Provide expert advice to healthcare teams to maintain standards through education and service development.
• Analyse assurance data to produce performance reports for AFR reporting.
• Support initiatives to modernise the operational clinical pathway.

Skills

OF3 rank

Medical Branch

Security clearance

Education

Medical officer qualification

Tools

GMC registration

NMC registration

Job description

HQ AFR-SO2 Medical Branch Assurance

Vacancy summary

Recruiting Service

Joint

SERVE Ref/JPAN/URN

2315613

NATO Rank(s)

OF-3 - Lt Cdr - Maj - Sqn Ldr

UK Rank(s)

Lieutenant-Commander, Major, Major (RM), Squadron Leader

Closing date

08/11/2026, 23:55

Anticipated start date

March 2027

Engagement type

FTRS - Limited Commitment

Commitment length

36 months

Open to personnel from

Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines, Naval Careers Service

Branch/Trade/ Profession

Any

Specialisation

Any

Location

Bristol Abbey Wood North

Country

United Kingdom

City

Bristol

Vacancy detail

Job Description

Subject to formal establishment, Joint boarding process and single Service (sS) policies, a vacancy will arise for an OF3 to serve as Medical Branch Assurance at Bristol (Abbeywood) on FTRS Limited Commitment (LC) Terms and Conditions of Service (TaCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 1 March 2027 (or earlier/later, subject to formal establishment and candidate status).

Unit Function

Deliver Armed Forces Recruitment to maximise optimal inflow of workforce to sp delivery of Defence strategic and operational capabilities.

Position Role

Support assurance of the clinical delivery for Tri-Service recruiting within HQ AFR alongside a commercial partner.

Responsibilities

• Lead assurance for AFR Medical Branch compliance with Defence Medical Services (DMS), NHS standards and governance inspections.
• Identify and manage clinical risks to patient safety and implement quality improvement plans within AFR Medical Branch.
• Ensure clinical delivery meets regulatory requirements, set by GMC, NMC and specialised military health governance policies.
• Provide expert advice to healthcare teams, helping maintain standards through education and service development.
• Analyse assurance data to create performance reports in support of wider AFR reporting.
• Support AH Med to drive initiatives to modernise and improve the operational clinical pathway.

Essential Skills

Must be an OF3 of any specialisation. OF2 applicants with a recommend for the next higher rank in their most recent OJAR may be considered for the role and the awarding of Acting Higher Rank (AHR). It is stressed that whilst a single positive recommendation will make you eligible for consideration, your entire OJAR dossier will be considered for AHR in line with the principles of BR3(1) Part 8 and approval is not guaranteed.

OF4 applicants

OF4 applicants, if successful, will only be paid as and wear the rank of OF3.

Reserve or Regular Forces

Must be serving as a member of the Reserve Forces or have served with the Regular Forces.

Security clearance

Must hold in-date SC security clearance

Desirable Skills

ICSC

Selection Process

Candidates should follow the application process for their service.

Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant's last 3 appraisal reports and a face to face interview.

The closing date for applications is 08 November 2026 and interviews should take place week commencing 16 November 2026.

Additional information

Employer Comments

A vacancy has arisen for an OF3 to serve as the Medical Branch Assurance in the new Armed Forces Recruitment HQ at MOD Abbey Wood (North), Bristol on FTRS (LC) TaCoS, with an initial proposed start date of 01 Mar 2027. Routine attendance of 60% in office is requested.

This is a superb opportunity to help steer this new organisation to deliver Defence's future need.

The role is in direct support of Deputy Head Medical pillar, with key responsibilities focusing on the assurance of Defence medical procedures.

The successful candidate does not require any medical experience, however, either a background in assurance and compliance, or a diligent and detail‑orientated officer would be ideally suited to this essential role in delivering Defence's future fighting power.

Domestic Considerations

All team members are required to carry out at least 60% of worktime activities in the office. Flexibility and WFH options are available for the remainder.

Occasional travel to other MOD locations, as directed, will be required.

Other Information

Regular Service Applicants

Personnel currently serving in the Regular Services 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.

Administrative Discharge

Subject to sS policies, applicants who have previously received an administrative discharge may be rejected.

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 and . 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 TaCoS

Personnel taking this appointment from other TaCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TaCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TaCoS.

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.

Annual Training / Fitness / Medical / Dental

Subject to sS policies

Annual Salary and Leave

Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published sS Regulations JSP 754. Leave entitlement is detailed in .

Accommodation

Personnel serving on FTRS TaCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if surplus accommodation is available, at entitled rates subject to sS policies.

For further enquiries please contact

WO1 Simon Jeffery, CSOC Strategic HR Reserves, quoting CSOC 146/26, SERVE Reference Number 22351 and Job Title on all correspondences at the following email address-