Our information. Your attention to detail. Let's build the bigger picture.
About us
MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses, and other organizations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you'll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
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 the career start, you're looking for. Working alongside an experienced team, we'll provide all the training and support you need to put your skills to use.
Joining our multi-skilled analysis team, we'll support you as you learn to develop insights from data. Every day, 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 using the different tools and techniques you will be trained on throughout the programme. Although you'll work with a variety of intelligence formats, from audio files to written communications, you'll be very clearly briefed on what you're looking for. Your tasks will be prioritised to help you manage and plan your own 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, you'll 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.
The role involves listening to and analysing audio information, so as part of the recruitment process, you'll need to pass a hearing test. The hearing test will be the last stage of the recruitment process. If you wear hearing aids, you will be able to complete the test using these.
About You
It's only with different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that we can find the answers we're looking for. Our Foundation Analysts come from a range of backgrounds and communities - but the thing that unites them is their passion for protecting the people and places 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 enjoy working in a team, 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.
Remember, you don't need any previous experience to join this programme, we'll train you in all the skills you need.
Training and Development
Your initial Foundation Analyst training will span 3 months where you'll have a mix of classroom training and consolidation within analysis teams. Once your training is complete, you will then be committed to working as Foundation Analyst for the next four years and will carry out three posts within the four years.
One of these posts will involve shift work on a 24/7 basis, which covers weekends, 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. Shifts will involve working a mixture of early mornings and nights, with the early shift beginning at 06:30am. 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 these posts will depend on the business needs at the time of joining.
During your time on the programme, you'll have your own development partner and line manager who will provide continuous support and help you settle into the team. After completion of the programme, you'll have the opportunity to specialise in an area of analysis.
Rewards and Benefits
You'll receive a starting salary of £32,659 rising to £35,306 after one year, plus other benefits including:
* 25 days' annual leave automatically rising to 30 days' annual leave 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 a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some 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, ages, 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 low socio-economic backgrounds.
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.
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
1. Initial application - You will be asked to provide your basic personal details and complete a number of yes/no questions to check if you are eligible to apply.
2. Online tests - Once you have submitted the initial application, you will be asked to complete a short cognitive ability test as well as a transcription assessment.
3. Full application - You will be asked to provide more information on your background (e.g. education and employment history), answer a couple of questions about your motivation for applying for the role and two competency-based questions.
4. Telephone Interview - You'll then be asked questions about your motivation for applying as well as some competency-based questions.
5. Assessment centre - You'll attend an online assessment centre involving an interview, roleplay and written exercise.
6. Hearing Test
You will be given more information about what to expect at each stage as you progress through the application process.
Before You Apply
To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It's something everyone in the agencies undertakes. 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.
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. #J-18808-Ljbffr