Force Plans Readiness and Reporting SO2 (ZigZag)

20/08/2026, 23:55 

Force Plans Readiness and Reporting SO2 (ZigZag)

JPAN: 2109888

Grade: OF-3 (Lt Cdr RN)

Location: Navy Command Headquarters, Portsmouth

Commitment: FTRS(ZZCP(Partial Mobility))

Contract: Fixed term appointment - 3 years. (This position is advertised at 40 hours per week. The Armed Forces do not pay overtime but Time Off In Lieu is available as compensation.)

Security clearance: SC essential, DV desirable

Closing date: 20 Aug 2026 23:55PM

All offers of employment are subject to UK security clearance. To gain this clearance applicants normally need at least five years’ UK residency.

Overview

The ZigZag Career Pathway is an innovative Defence initiative that offers novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces. It’s a pilot programme that opens the door for people from a range of backgrounds to apply their professional skills in meaningful Defence roles.

This opportunity is open to civilians, veterans and reservists. Whether you’ve never served before or are looking to return, the ZigZag Career Pathway offers you the chance to work in fixed term military roles that are matched to your qualifications and experience.

ZigZag roles may be offered with a range of mobility commitments. Successful candidates will be supported with tailored onboarding, the right level of training, and a structured and supported induction into the Armed Forces environment. 

The Force Plans team, under the direction of the Product Owner (Head Force Plans), works collaboratively across Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ), with Head Office, Delivery Agents, other Military Commands (MC), Strategic Command (StratCom), and NATO staff to:

• Develop the Long-Term Schedule (LTS) out to 10 years, ensuring coherence with Defence Strategy, the Defence Plan, the RN Command Plan, Out of Service Dates (OSDs) for retiring capabilities, and In-Service Dates (ISDs) for replacements.
• Coordinate and draft the Royal Navy’s NATO Force Model offer and cohere readiness reporting for the Royal Navy.
• Draft the Royal Navy Five Year Plan.
• Cohere Task Group force generation across the multiple Force Generation Authorities.

The role

The incumbent should be comfortable operating using modern and agile ways of working to maximise productivity. Readiness is the new currency for defence, this role is critical to collate associated risks which inform the Navy’s ability to meet its commitments in the NATO Force Model and contingent operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Force Plans product owner in development and delivery of Sprint and Product backlogs.
• Military lead for Readiness & Reporting within the FGen directorate, working with whole force colleagues.
• Initiation, coordination and completion of Navy Command’s risk systems return to Head Office.
• Support Dir FGen’s Multi-Lateral meetings with Head Office
• Desk officer for Fleet Readiness & Reporting / Fleet Operational Capability, Availability and Sustainment (FOCAS) and Line Manager for the FOCAS CPO.
• Support Navy Command Inputs in the Defence Plan and the development of the RN Command Plan and Force Elements at Readiness Annex.
• Assistant Desk Officer for Military Tasking Equipment (MTE) allocation within Force Plans.

About You

We are looking for a motivated and proactive individual who demonstrates:

• Experience in portfolio style management to assist in looking across the broad FGen Directorate.
• Analytical skills to draw insights from readiness models and Defence Readiness System (DRS) tools.
• Ability to influence and communicate these insights into the broader readiness community to champion the maritime domain and progress how defence reports readiness.
• Experience with JIRA (or similar software package) and agile ways of working.

Training

• Royal Navy Initial Militarisation Course
• Workplace Induction Package
• Any additional training that may be required

Salary & benefits

• Salary: £62,930 – £75,159 per year.
• Pension: automatic enrolment in the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (optout available).
• Leave: 30 days’ annual leave plus eight UK bank holidays.
• Other benefits: childcare benefits, enhanced parental leave packages, and flexible service arrangements in line with extant policy.
• Flexible working is acceptable, however regular access to classified IT systems will be required, which will entail in-office presence (not necessarily in Portsmouth) for some or all of each week. Around peak reporting times secret access will be required every day.

Application process

• Application: submit a CV via the SERVE portal. Eligibility checks are completed, and applications are sifted for suitability.
• Interview: shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview covering technical skills, qualifications and suitability for military service (command, leadership and management experience).
• Fitness: the successful candidate must pass a Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT)
• Medical Assessment: the successful candidate must pass a medical screening.  
• Officer Selection: if not already commissioned the successful candidate must attend the Admiralty Interview Board prior to appointment.
• Offer: successful candidates receive a conditional job offer letter and terms and conditions.

Don’t meet all the requirements? Get in touch anyway – we are keen to hear from talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. For questions or more information, contact: NavyPeople-ZigZagCareers@mod.gov.uk.