Chief of the Defence Staff Duty Officer

The CDSDO's primary role is to maintain constant surveillance over the defence environment, monitor global events and utilise their extensive military knowledge, experience and judgement to alert the MoD higher Command and the Defence Crisis Management Organisation to significant military and political developments as they occur.

Working a 24 hour on-watch roster, and based within the Defence Crisis Management Centre, the 5 Chief of the Defence Staff Duty Officers (CDSDO) provide 24/7 military and political situational awareness to the MOD joint higher command. The on-shift CDSDO is functionally accountable directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff and supports the Director of Operations and the Single Service Chiefs of Staff.

In undertaking this role, the CDSDO's Principal Tasks are to:

Act as the first point of contact within the MoD Strategic HQ liaising with other MoD HQ's and government departments including No10, the Cabinet Office, the FCDO Global Response Centre as well as British and Foreign Embassies providing the initial principal military focal point for the activation and co-ordination of military resources in times of emerging crisis.
Co-ordinate the immediate Defence response to single Service operations and incidents, including Military Aid to the Civil Authorities and Military Aid to Other Government Departments iaw with Joint and Single Service doctrine and instructions.
Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of Joint and Single Service operations.
Ensure CNS, CGS and CAS are informed of any significant events relating to their services.
Ensure the safe, secure and efficient operation of the DCMC outside of normal working hours.
Provide oversight and management of the on-shift Deputy CDSDO.

Note: The working environment is austere/hostile and underground with no lift access. This site has no facilities for disabled access. In a crisis or emerging situation hours may be long and pressure to deliver intense. Applicants will need to be comfortable engaging at the very highest levels of Defence.

Due to the business critical nature of the post and associated security sensitivity this is a full-time post with no opportunity for part-time, job share, flexible or working from home arrangements.