The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the UK Armed Forces community in the county for a three-year period from mid-March 2025.

This voluntary, non-political role includes chairing the Suffolk Armed Forces Covenant Board, set up by Suffolk County Council and partners to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces and their families, are treated fairly.

Suffolk is home to Wattisham Flying Station, RAF Honington, Rock Barracks near Woodbridge, plus reservists based in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, RAF Honington and Lowestoft.

There are an estimated 30,000 veterans in Suffolk of which around 10,000 are of working age.

The Board’s work includes help with wellbeing for veterans and families, encouraging GP practices to become ‘Veteran Friendly’ accredited, and providing additional educational and emotional support for children from service families.

Anyone wishing to apply must be able to volunteer 16 days (split into 32 half days) of their time in total each year, but it is not a prerequisite for a candidate to have directly served in the UK Armed Forces.

They will, however, need to learn about issues affecting the local UK Armed Forces community – consisting of regular military, the reserves, service families, veterans, and cadets.

Applications for the voluntary position will be accepted until 5pm on Friday 17th January 2025, to enable the successful candidate to start their three-year appointment in mid-March 2025.

Further information on the vacancy, application process and Suffolk’s Armed Forces Covenant can be found by clicking on this link