Careers
Careers in the Security Service (MI5)
The Service recruits a wide range of staff, guided by the principles of
fair and open competition laid out in the Civil Service recruitment code.
Since 1997 we have advertised the majority of our vacancies in the
national and local press.
The Security Service currently employs around 2,200 people, 2,100 of whom
are full-time. 47% of staff are women and 53% are under the age of 40. 140
staff currently work in the Service on secondment or attachment from other
departments and agencies.
The main investigative, assessment, policy and management work is carried
out by generalist staff, who account for about two-thirds of the total. A
comprehensive range of specialists in languages, technology, surveillance,
IT, communications,
protective security, administration, building services and catering support
the work of generalist staff.
Our size and structure have altered considerably in recent years and will
continue to do so to reflect changing threats, new working methods,
available resources and the implementation of new information technology.
For example, we are currently expanding to reflect the greater volume of
work undertaken in our international counter-terrorist sections. We plan to
increase our staff numbers to around 3,200 people by 2008.
We moved into our current accommodation, Thames House, situated on Millbank
near the Houses of Parliament, in 1994. The move led to increased
efficiency and provided a modern environment able to cope with the
requirements of new working methods, particularly IT.
As part of our expansion programme, we plan to establish a number of
regional stations around Britain to work closely with local police forces,
as well as an operations centre outside London.
Some posts with the Service provide opportunities for travel or for work
outside London or the UK. All
staff must accept a contractual obligation to serve anywhere in the UK or
overseas if necessary, although in practice most spend their entire careers
based in London.
For more information please visit the Security Service
recruitment website[External website]
Careers in the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
Culture
SIS has a
distinctive culture, one that is forward-looking but at the same time
influenced by almost a century of history and tradition. Belonging to an
organisation which makes a crucial contribution to the national interest
gives SIS staff a strong sense of common purpose and loyalty. SIS has a
'family' atmosphere, with an emphasis on teamworking and on
supportive relationships between colleagues. Integrity, both personal and
corporate, is prized. To work in SIS is to work with high-calibre, highly
motivated colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.
Where we work
New staff can look forward to working in a variety of locations although
for many much of their working lives will be spent at the centre of SIS
activity, Vauxhall Cross, in London. SIS needs home-based staff and for
some of them this will be their career preference. But for those deployed
operationally, whilst they will do tours of duty in Vauxhall Cross, living
abroad and frequent foreign travel is a certainty.
In Vauxhall Cross staff benefit from modern air conditioned offices on the
banks of the Thames with good public transport access to the rest of London
and beyond. Facilities include squash and basketball courts, a gym, a
restaurant, coffee lounge and bar.
When living or working abroad, conditions in the workplace will vary
considerably but SIS strives to ensure that officers are able to carry out
their duties wherever they are in a safe and secure environment.
Training
SIS places a premium on developing the skills of its staff. SIS officers
receive extensive training at the beginning of their careers, on the job
and at key points as their careers develop. Specialist training is under
constant development and review to ensure that all SIS officers are able to
meet the challenge of an active intelligence agency in an ever changing
world. Should a need to acquire external qualifications be identified staff
will be actively encouraged and supported to do so.
Career Advancement
SIS is committed to providing its staff with complete and rewarding
careers. Career advancement is strictly by merit although the entry points
into an SIS career depend on an individual's qualifications and
qualities.
SIS is separate from other government departments with its own terms,
conditions and recruitment procedures.
Qualities
What sort of people are we looking for?
There is no exact template for SIS staff. We want people who are keen to
make a difference doing work of national importance. We want people with an
international outlook, interests and experience, who are adaptable,
resourceful and flexible. We need people who thrive on challenge, who want
to be in the front-line of intelligence work as well as those who would
prefer to play the vital supporting roles, administrative and technical, on
which successful intelligence operations depend. Whether you feel that your
strengths could lead you towards operations, intelligence analysis,
management, data handling or security, whether you have the skills to
design high tech gadgets or to deploy them in a hostile environment SIS may
have the career for you. The staff profiles you will find in the careers
section are based on real individuals. However, some names and details have
been changed to protect the cover of these officers.
Suitability: Nationality and Security Clearance
The sensitive nature of the work SIS undertakes means that candidates for
SIS must be British citizens. One parent must be a British citizen or have
substantial ties with the United Kingdom or, if deceased, have had such
citizenship or ties before death. A candidate must normally have lived in
the UK for at least 5 of the last
10 years and will have to pass an extensive security clearance process
prior to joining.
For more information please visit the Secret Intelligence Service
careers webpages[External website]
Careers in GCHQ
GCHQ employs the best. And rewards them accordingly.
But if you're really right for us, you're driven by much bigger
goals. You want the chance to engage in work with vital impact on the
political, military and economic well-being of our nation. To be
challenged, stimulated - and play a role in history. Discover your role,
in our comprehensive careers section.
Like any large organisation, we require a wide range of skills and have
numerous careers paths. The careers listed, therefore, are not exhaustive,
but provide a flavour of the opportunities we have available.
We recruit graduates and experienced professionals and, as such, each
campaign has its own application procedure. Tailored application forms are,
therefore, only made available during each campaign and will appear on our
Current Vacancies page as the requirement arises.
A varied career
One of the best bits about working for GCHQ is the sheer variety of work
and career opportunities. Most people generally move to a new job within
the organisation - often in a completely different area - every 3 to 4
years, although others prefer to stay longer because they enjoy the work so
much!
You'll also get all the support and advice you need to take charge of
your own career. Internal vacancies are advertised on our Intranet, and you
can apply for jobs for which you're qualified in other parts of GCHQ.
GCHQ Values
GCHQ believes in its work force and has adopted a set of core values for
the organisation. Observing the spirit of these values is inherent in all
that we do and is also reflected in the manner of staff performance and
appraisal. The Values are:
-
Integrity, impartiality and objectivity
-
Service to customers
-
Teamwork
-
Commitment to success
For more information please visit the GCHQ recruitment
webpages[External website]
Careers in Defence Intelligence
In addition to any relevant specialist abilities and qualifications, it
is essential that our staff are of the highest integrity, resilient,
sensitive to others and open to new ideas and working practices. They
should also have good interpersonal and organisational skills, whilst
being effective team members.
Nationality Requirement and Security Clearance
Due to the sensitive nature of the work conducted in the DIS post holders
owe special allegiance to the state. Most posts are therefore open only to
UK nationals. Staff and applicants must be British citizens at entry and
have held British citizenship for at least ten years. Their surviving
parents, spouses or partners, and the surviving parents of spouses and
partners must be solely British. Also, staff and applicants must normally
have been resident in the UK for at least 10 years. Service abroad in the
UK Armed Forces or some other official capacity, study abroad or living
with parents abroad may be discounted in some circumstances.
Furthermore, all staff and applicants are required to go through a rigorous
vetting process before appointment. This involves completing detailed
questionnaires, discussing these with a vetting officer and nominating
referees for interview. Enquiries may not be confined to past and present
employers and character referees. This is standard for all Government posts
that require the highest level of security clearance.
Careers as a Research Analyst or Linguist
To enquire about a career in DIS as a research analyst or linguist, please
contact:
DIS Recruitment Office
Room 024
Old War Office
Whitehall
London
SWIA 2EU
email: DICS-BP2@mod.uk
For more information please visit the
DIS recruitment webpages[External website]
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