SO2 Unified Career Management (UCM) Workforce Plans

Vacancy summary

Joint
CSOC 44/26
OF-3 - Lt Cdr - Maj - Sqn Ldr
Lieutenant-Commander, Major, Major (RM), Squadron Leader

12/04/2026, 23:55 

June 2026
FTRS - Home Commitment
36 months from date of employment with the possibility of extension
csocpeople-hr-reshubgpmb@mod.gov.uk
Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines
Any
Any
HMS Excellent, Portsmouth
United Kingdom
Portsmouth

Vacancy detail

Subject to formal establishment, Joint Boarding process and sS Policies a vacancy will arise for an OF3 to serve as SO2 Unified Career Management (UCM) Workforce Plans on FTRS HC Terms and Conditions of Service (TaCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 01 June 26, or earlier if possible..  

Join a Dynamic Team Shaping the Future of Defence Workforce Management

Are you ready to step into a pivotal role at the heart of people transformation across Defence? This Full-Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) post within Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC)'s Unified Career Management (UCM) team offers an exciting three-year opportunity to help shape career pathways for over 5,000 tri-Service personnel.

You will be working alongside a 1*, two OF5s, and a vibrant team of around 50 Whole Force colleagues delivering career management, HR policy, promotions, and workforce planning across a range of specialist cohorts.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just a staff job — it is your chance to contribute to a programme that is changing how the Armed Forces manage their most important asset: their people. UCM is a pan-Defence initiative delivering joined-up career support to personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and RAF — offering consistency, innovation and opportunity, no matter the uniform.

With recent growth including the Cyber, Medical and Human Intelligence (HUMINT) cohorts, future expansion and briefings reaching the highest levels of Defence, this is a unique opportunity to influence policy and planning in a fast-evolving, future-facing area.

What You Will Do

In this varied and rewarding role, you will:

  1. Develop, implement, and maintain the delivery of UCM Workforce Plans (WFP) activity; liaising with the single services (sS0 as required.
  2. Assist in the production of a Tri-Service Workforce Requirement Plan, defining inflow, through flow and outflow on an annual basis and issue in-year amendments as required.
  3. Liaise with TLBs and Cap owners to understand the workforce demand signal and challenges for PHC/SHC Cons, Dentists and MSO cohorts.
  4. Undertake demand planning and deliver the forecast for PHC/SHC Cons, Dentists and MSOs, liaising with the Deanery and sS Recruiting Organisations to set training targets and requirements.
  5. Produce the Gapping Management Strategy by cohorts.
  6. Provide SME support to WFP focused modelling and analysis.
  7. Use knowledge, skills and experience to provide support to the wider UCM team as required.
  8. Deputise for SO1 UCM WFP in their absence.

ICSC (L) (or equivalent)

Joint career management (can be acquired after appointment)

Must be an OF3 of any specialisation.

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

Make your next role one that drives meaningful change. Join us in delivering a modern, agile, and unified approach to Defence career management.

Selection Process

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 applicants are to submit their 3 most recent OJARs and a 2 page CV, which are to be sent to Major P A Dryden at the following email address: csocpeople-hr-reshubgpmb@mod.gov.uk 

The CSOC UCM Team is based at HMS EXCELLENT, Portsmouth and Kentigern House, Glasgow. This role is offered on a hybrid basis, and the incumbent will be required to work three days a week in the UCM(S) office at HMS EXCELLENT. Alternative Working Arrangements may be negotiated with the Line Manager.

This is a demanding. WF Plans is a small team responsible for delivering the required size and shape of all Professions/Disciplines under UCM.

Quality or KSE: KSE. WF Plans experience and previous experience in a Joint environment, Pers Branch, E1 WF Plans or APC desirable. Comprehensive understanding of Personnel policy essential.

A good level of understanding of information extraction and application of DATA models.

Regular interaction with sS counterparts, including WF Plans, Policy and CM Teams is required.

Must be capable of accurate staff work at speed, demonstrating an attention for detail with an affinity for numbers.

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.

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 available, at entitled rates subject to sS policies.

For further enquiries please contact Maj P A Dryden at the CSOC Reserves Hub at the following email address: csocpeople-hr-reshubgpmb@mod.gov.uk.