Location
London
About the job
Job summary
Our Information. Your attention to detail. Let’s build a bigger picture.
About Us
MI5 safeguards the UK against threats such as terrorism, espionage, cyber and sabotage. We investigate suspect individuals and organisations in the UK to obtain, collate, analyse and assess secret intelligence relating to these threats. Alongside our British Intelligence partners SIS and GCHQ, we provide the UK government with the information they need to protect national security. At MI5 you’ll enjoy varied work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
Job description
The Role
This exciting development programme will teach you all the skills you need to become an Analyst at MI5. You don’t need any previous experience to apply, just a grade C/4 in English Language and the passion to learn. So, if you’re a problem solver who loves learning, has great attention to detail, and enjoys working with others, this could be just the career change, or a career start, you’re looking for. Working alongside an experienced team of experts, we’ll provide all the training and support you need to put your skills to use, creating real-world impact that helps keep us all safe.
Joining our multi-skilled analysis team, we’ll support you as you learn to develop insights from data. Everyday, you’ll work together with colleagues, providing the information that helps to keep people safe. During your four-year development programme, you’ll learn how to piece together a variety of data which is often incomplete, so we can understand the whole picture.
Working closely with teams across MI5, you’ll work to understand their requirements. You’ll use this information to find the right answers and support our investigations suing the different tools and techniques you will be trained on throughout the programme. Although you’ll work with a variety of intelligence, from audio files to written communications, you’ll be very clearly briefed on what you’re looking for. Your task will be prioritised to help you manage and plan your workload. Day to day you’ll explain your findings and share your progress with colleagues.
Whilst it may be a fast-paced environment, you won’t be on your own. You’ll always have your team to help you, provide guidance and talk through your ideas.
You’ll also have the support and resources to develop your skills. Throughout the programme enjoy ongoing training, including specific training on how to analyse different types of data. On top of this, there will be opportunities to learn about the organisation more widely and make time for your own self-development.
Person specification
About You
It’s only with different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that we can find answers we’re looking for. Our Foundation Analysts have different backgrounds and come from different communities – but the thing that unites them is their passion for protecting the people and place they love.
If you relish learning new things, then we’ll teach you everything you need to know. This will be your first rung on the ladder for a fulfilling career in analysis. Although you’ll have a C or 4 in GCSE English Language or equivalent qualification, we aren’t looking for someone who has analyst experience or a degree. It’s more important that you’re curious and a team player, with a logical, proactive approach.
You’ll need to enjoy solving problems and contributing to their resolution. You’ll be keen to get involved and find answers yet know when to seek guidance from more experienced colleagues. It’s this flexibility and motivation that’ll help you to adapt to changing situations. As you’ll be working with a range of people, you’ll need to be comfortable communicating and listening.
For graduates, you should note that it is not a graduate level position. The Business Enabler, Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme (IDADP), Intelligence Officer Development Programme (IODP) and Technical Graduate Development Programme (TGDP) are more suited to those looking for a graduate opportunity. These opportunities are regularly advertised on our website.
Training and Development
Your initial Foundation Analyst training will span over 5 months where you’ll have a mix of classroom training and consolidation training within analysis teams. After this time, you will go on to complete three posts within your four years on the programme.
One of these posts will involve shift work on a 24/7 basis, for which you’ll receive an allowance. You don’t need any experience of working shifts and you’ll know your shift pattern well in advance so you can plan your life outside of work. This post will last for 12 months.
Your other two posts will be a standard Monday-Friday working pattern in different analysis teams, where you will be able to consolidate your new knowledge and experience of data. These posts will be 18 months in length. The order of posts will depend on business needs at the time of joining. During your time on the programme, you’ll have you own development partner and line manager who will provide continuous support and help you settle into your team.
After completion of the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in a certain area of analysis.
Benefits
Rewards and Benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £30,024 rising to £32,459 after 1 year and other benefits including:
25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays.
Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
Personal Learning Budget.
Interest-free season ticket loan
Excellent pension scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Facilities such as gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at same locations)
Paid parental and adoption leave
Equal Opportunities
At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, age, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from a low socio-economic background.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.
We’re Disability Confident
MI5 are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident Scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI).
To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
Initial Application – You will be asked to provide your basic personal details and complete a number of yes/no questions. If you meet the criteria, you will be directed to complete the online tests.
Online Test – You will be required to reach the pass mark set for the cognitive ability test and transcriptions assessment test.
Application Sift – You will be required to meet the minimum pass mark for the application sift.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage in order:
Initial Application – You will be asked to provide your basic personal details and complete a number of yes/no questions to check if you eligible to apply.
Online Tests – Once you have submitted the initial application, you will be asked to complete a cognitive ability test as well as a transcriptions assessment.
Full Application – You will be asked to provide more information on your background (e.g. education and employment history), answer a couple questions about your motivation for applying for the role and two competency-based questions.
Telephone Interview – You’ll then be asked questions about your motivation for applying as well as some strength-based and competency- based questions.
Assessment Centre – You’ll attend an online assessment involving an interview, roleplay and written exercise.
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process in order to progress to the next. Your application may take around 9-12 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final offer.
Before You Apply
To work at MI5, you need to be a British Citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
The role is based in London, so you’ll need to live in commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. A loan is available to support people relocating to London.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from the outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
Right to Withdraw Statement:
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name :
The Recruitment Team
Email :
[email protected]
Recruitment team
Email :
[email protected]
Further information
