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CSOC6826MBAssistantHead2ReservesStrategyRF&CMSHQ

Serve

Job Location:

London - UK

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer

Posted: 27 May 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 16 September 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

A vacancy has arisen for an OF5 to serve within the Defence Reserves & Cadets Team as part of the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) as Assistant Head 2 (AHd2) Reserves Strategy. The role is based in MOD Main Building and can be undertaken on PTVR Reserve Service Days (RSD) Additional Duty Commitment (ADC) or Voluntary ex Regular Reserve (VeRR) Terms and Conditions of Service (TaCoS) with an initial proposed start date of Sep 26. The position will require up to 120 days per year.

Although the role is Main Building based it is expected that some of the work will be undertaken remotely.The role will require approximate 50% of commitment per month in Main Building or other Defence locations.

Unit Function:

The Reserves Strategy Team through the 1* Hd reports to ACDS (Reserves and Cadets) and upwards to Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS). Its remit is to drive forward the strategic direction for the future of our Reserves across Defence.

This is a rewarding opportunity to join a close knit civ-mil team working on Ministers and the Strategic Defence Reviews ambitious intent to ensure that Defence makes better use of the scale skills and agility our Reserve forces offer.

The SDR highlighted the importance of Reserve forces and made numerous specific recommendations such as how they should be fully integrated alongside Regulars into the whole force support UK Home Defence as part of a whole of society effort and be better managed and engaged through innovative digital approaches.

The Reserves Strategy Team is a high performing civ-mil team of around nine people (including part-time Reservists) led by a part-time 1* military head (Commodore). It spots Reserve related opportunities and problems across Defence and coheres relevant teams to analyse and address these.

The team drives the Defence Reserves Campaign Plan and is currently working on the Reserve elements of the Home Defence Plan Op FORCEFUL and the implementation of the Strategic Defence Reviews ambitious recommendations for all Reserves.

Position Role:

The AHd2 Reserves Strategy is a senior member of the mainly military Reserves Strategy Team. It will work alongside the AHd1 Reserves Strategy role. The team also includes some PTVR SO1/SO2s and a Civil Servant B1 Deputy Head B2 Assistant Head and C1.

Responsibilities:

AHd2 Res Strat leads on MSHQ capability advice development and workstreams related to:

SDR recommendation to reinvigorate and reengage the Strategic Reserve (alongside Dep Hd as Civil Servant lead)

SDR recommendations on Reserves contribution to Home Defence (alongside Dep Hd as Civil Servant lead)

.SDR recommendation to present options to Defence Secretary by Dec 2026 on a new Reserve style force to protect Critical National Infrastructure.

Centre aspects of SJC Op FORTITUDE Specialist Reserves.

Reserves aspects of Op FORCEFUL including UK participation in NATOs flagship Ex STEADFAST DEFENDER 27
and as required supports wider team activity related to
- Delivering Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations on Reserves
- Wider Reserves initiatives
- Defence Investment Plan (DIP)
- Defence Reserves Campaign Plan (DRCP)
- Armed Forces Recruiting Scheme (AFRS)
- Digital and data development in support of Reserves

and additionally:

Provides Reserve SME input to a range of Ministerial and 1*- 4* Boards Committees and Working Groups in MOD and cross Whitehall.
Deputises when needed for Hd Res Strat and ACDS(R&C) alongside Dep Hd Res and AHd1.

Required Experience:

Junior IC

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