CSOC Tx SO2a

Vacancy summary

Joint
CSOC 43/25
OF-3 - Lt Cdr - Maj - Sqn Ldr
Lieutenant-Commander, Major, Major (RM), Squadron Leader

22/03/2026, 23:55 

March 2026
FTRS - Limited Commitment
29 months
CSOCPeople-HR-ResHubGpMb@mod.gov.uk
Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines
Any
Any
HQ CSOC, MOD Main Building
United Kingdom
London

Vacancy detail

Subject to formal establishment, a vacancy will arise for 1 x OF3's to serve as CSOC Transformation SO2a at Cyber & Special Operations (CSOC), MOD Main Building/Northwood HQ on FTRS (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 01 Apr 2026 (or earlier/later, subject to formal establishment and candidate status).

Unit & Position Role

Unit Function:

CSOC Tx is CSOC’s flagship transformation programme, charged with ensuring the Command can meet the challenges of the future and deliver on our three purposes: Supporting Campaigning; Delivering Integration; and Leading Cyber.

CSOC TX is, by its nature, a complex programme that requires continual re-evaluation of its priorities, pace, and scope to ensure it is delivering optimally in a crowded context. This requires individuals to be flexible, mentally agile, and comfortable working in an ambiguous environment.

Position Role:

Supports the implementation of CSOC op model changes, in response to Defence Reform direction, in support Head CSOC Tx and Director Strategy.

Within the Programme, various Projects are being undertaken to deliver the vision for the Command; individuals will work within one of these Project Teams. Roles will vary and will change depending on individuals’ KSEB, priorities within the Programme and external factors (such as Defence Reform and the Strategic Defence Review). Regardless, individuals will be intimately involved in the development of projects to deliver the output agreed within the accepted timeframe. The Programme utilises the Agile methodology and as such, specific role responsibilities are difficult to define.

Responsibilities:

1.     Undertake project design work as directed by the Chief Product Owner (CPO) and Scaled Scrum Master.

 

2.     Liaise with various areas of CSOC and Defence.

 

3.     Promote the CSOC transformation programme within the Command and wider-Defence. 

 

4.     Interact with the CSOC Strat Centre, HLBs and stakeholders x-MOD in line with future operating model derived from the SDR and Def Reform.   

 

5.     Maintain a day-to-day relationship with stakeholders, supporting sub working groups and project development.

 

6.     Any other tasks as directed by Dep Dir Transformation.

 

Must be an OF3 of any specialisation. OF2 applicants with a positive recommendation in their most recent annual OJAR/SJAR may be considered for the role subject to sS policies

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

SC.

MOD/CSOC experience.

Staff Training.

Previous experience in sS HQ, MSE, HQ MAB or PJHQ

Transformation / op model experience

Agile Ways of Working

Ability to manage cross HMG collaboration.

Ability to comprehend strategic context

Project/programme management experience


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 the 3 most recent OJARs and a 2 page CV, which are to be sent to WO1 Shawn Bailey MBE at the following email address - CSOCPeople-HR-ResHubGpMb@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.

Local Considerations:

Domestic:

This is a hybrid position with the Permanent Duty Station set as MOD Main Building with three days F2F in London (Scale Space and MOD Main Building predominantly) / Northwood HQ should be anticipated. Attendance is driven by the needs of the business with good flexibility afforded.

Employer Comments:

  • This is a unique opportunity at a busy but interesting time for how Defence is organised. CSOC TX is being undertaken to transform CSOC in the midst of Defence restructuring and change (Defence Reform and the Strategic Defence Review). This post provides an opportunity to be involved with these changes to Defence and gain significant insight and understanding into how Defence works and how it will work in the future.

 

  • This post is strongly suited to individuals who are enthusiastic about making Defence better. Personnel must be strong team players and have an agile and adaptable mindset. Confidence in briefing senior officers (routinely 2*) and Civil Servants is vital to progressing work as well as maintaining the Programme’s reputation.

  • Any individual being nominated for this post must have a good level of understanding of CSOC and Defence. Their understanding of Defence will build as part of this post, however limited understanding of how Defence works will significantly hinder their ability to undertake their role.

 

  • The incumbent will be working with a mix of military, Civil Servants and contractors. As such, an ability to adapt their working styles to suit this workforce mix is required, especially if the individual has predominantly worked solely with military pers previously. KSEB is valued more than rank/grade, to the extent that individuals may find themselves working within a team where the Product Owner (the lead for their part of the Programme) is more junior to them.

 

  • Resourcing of the Programme and internal prioritisation can change and an individual’s role within the Pg may change to reflect this.

  • MS reporting for military officers is undertaken by Dep Dir Transformation (1*).

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.

Admin Discharge.  Subject to sS Policies candidates 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 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. 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 JSP 760.

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

 

For further enquiries please contact WO1 Shawn Bailey MBE the CSOC Reserves Hub at the following email address- CSOCPeople-HR-ResHubGpMb@mod.gov.uk