Reserves Leadership Team Chief of Staff

Subject to formal establishment, a vacancy will arise for a OF4 to serve as Reserves Leadership Team Chief of Staff at HQ People Team, HQ CSOC, Northwood on FTRS(HC) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 01 Jul 2026.

Unit Function CSOC develops, generates, operates, integrates unique and pan-Defence capabilities to maintain operational and strategic advantage. Reservists form an integral part of those capabilities. 

Position Role CSOC Reserves Leadership Team Chief of Staff

About the Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a truly meaningful impact in Defence?

We are seeking an individual to join our Reserve Leadership Team (RLT) in the newly formed Cyber & Specialist Operations Command. The role benefits from routine exposure to MSHQ (RF&C), the other Military Commands and integral 2* and 3* sub-organisations across the array of CSOC capability areas. It offers flexibility of remote working with occasional office attendance required 1-2 times a month.

Positioned within CSOC 2* People Directorate, the RLT is headed by an OF6, with three OF5 Assistant Heads. As SO1 Chief of Staff, you will be the sole full-time member of the team with considerable delegated authority. This role requires an Officer with broad understanding of volunteer Reserve Service and ideally some joint experience (Which can be acquired)

Responsibilities

1. Act as the principal staff officer for the Reserves Leadership Team, providing command level advice to the RLT and senior stakeholders across CSOC 

2. Lead & integrate CSOC Reserve activity, ensuring Reserve capability and employment models are aligned with Command priorities and operational posture 

3. Exercise command level oversight of policy coherence, employment concepts and prioritisation, managing issues requiring cross HLB or TLB intervention 

4. Be the focal point for engagement with Defence stakeholders on Reserve matters, including tasking arising from the Defence Reserves Campaign Plan 

5. Provide senior level judgement, prioritisation and risk management, enabling rapid and proportionate decision making in time sensitive circumstances 

6. Attend Working Groups and lead the implementation of CSOC Reserve policy, advising where governance or resource constraints require elevation 

7. Coordinate and influence across CSOC to drive a coherent and flexible Reserve operating model and to embed best practice across the Command 

8. Provide leadership and management for personnel attached to the Reserves delivery function, within an increasingly part‑time and distributed workforce 

Must be an OF4 of any specialisation. OF3 applicants with a positive recommendation in their most recent annual OJAR/SJAR may be considered for the role and the award of Acting Higher Rank (AHR). It is stressed that whilst a single positive recommendation will make you eligible for consideration, your entire OJAR/SJAR dossier will be considered for AHR in line with the principles of BR3(1) Part 8 and approval is not guaranteed.

OF5 applicants, if successful, will only be paid as and wear the rank of OF4.

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

Security Clearance - SC 

Candidates should follow the application process for their service.

Royal Navy Applicants should follow the RN Application process.

Army Applicants should follow the Army Application process.

Royal Air Force Applicants should follow the RAF Application process.

All RAF applications are to submit their 3 most recent OJAR’s and a 2 page CV, which are to be sent to the following email address - csoc-people-strathr-reshubgpmbox@mod.gov.uk

Please note - If applying for post of a higher rank than currently or previously held then a promotion eligibility report for substantive rank must be included.

**Please ensure you quote the SERVE Reference Number and Job Title in all correspondence**

Domestic

Main hub based at Northwood with occasional travel required to all CSOC sub-organisations, MSHQ and MCs. Remote working acceptable.

Employer Comments

DV advantageous. If SP is only SC activity may be constrained.

SP should ideally have joint experience within and across the range of HLBs within CSOC.

Understanding of the MoD operating model, planning, Reserves TACOS & policy.

Intermediate Staff Training and Reservist Unit command are highly desirable. 

SP must demonstrate organisational awareness; be a strong communicator and influence at all levels; build capability and collaborate effectively.