Chief of the Defence Staff Duty Officer

Overview

Located in London, the Chief of the Defence Staff Duty Officer (CDSDO) team plays a vital role in strategic leadership by enabling informed decision-making through continuous monitoring of global and domestic military and political events. Working within a high-pressure, austere underground environment with no disabled access, this role demands extensive operational experience, deep understanding of military policy, and the ability to rapidly assess and communicate critical developments to senior Defence leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain uninterrupted surveillance over defence-related activities and global incidents, utilizing extensive military expertise to inform the Ministry of Defence (MOD) higher command and Defence Crisis Management Organisation promptly.
• Operate continuously on a 24-hour watch at the Defence Crisis Management Centre, providing real-time military and political situational awareness to senior MOD commanders including support to the Director of Operations and Service Chiefs.
• Serve as the primary contact within the MOD Strategic HQ, liaising with other MOD divisions, key government departments such as No10, Cabinet Office, FCDO Global Response Centre, and with British and Foreign Embassies to coordinate military resource activation during emerging crises.
• Lead coordination of immediate Defence responses to Service operations, military aid to civil authorities, and other governmental departments in accordance with joint and single-service doctrines.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of joint and single-service operations and ensure senior service commanders are updated on significant events affecting their services.
• Provide command oversight to guarantee the secure and effective functioning of the Defence Crisis Management Centre outside standard working hours.
• Oversee and manage the on-shift Deputy CDSDO to maintain operational effectiveness.

Working Conditions

This is a demanding full-time role requiring availability for a 48-hour shift schedule with weekend work roughly one in five weekends and standby/recall duties. The post-holder must be able to report back to the workplace within approximately four hours using public transport. The position does not permit part-time, job sharing, flexible hours, or remote working due to its critical security nature.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated high-level senior military operational experience, either directly or through close collaboration with military personnel.
• Sound understanding of military strategy operations and commitments, with the ability to swiftly handle emerging issues.
• Proven capability to manage complex and challenging situations under pressure and balance competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders from multiple disciplines.
• Strategic thinking skills to assist in solving intricate problems and guiding colleagues.
• Integrity, self-motivation, resilience, and the capacity to function well within a small team in austere conditions.
• Eligible for Developed Vetting Security Clearance with no disqualifications.

Behaviours Being Assessed

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary of £46,040 with an employer pension contribution of £13,337 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
• Access to learning and professional development tailored to the role.
• On-site gym available during working hours.
• A supportive and inclusive workplace culture promoting diversity.
• Employer pension contribution rate of 28.97%.

Additional Information

• No relocation expenses provided.
• Six-month probation period applies for external candidates new to the Civil Service.
• Travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
• The Ministry of Defence operates a strict Smoke-Free Policy covering all Defence personnel and associated persons.
• Application and selection involve submission of CV and a personal statement of up to 500 words.
• Selection process includes evaluation against key behaviours through sift and interview stages.
• The post may require work in a confined, underground hostile environment without lift access, requiring physical and mental resilience.