Position Overview & Specifications

Job title: Intelligence & Data Analyst Development Programmes

Location: London and Cheltenham. As part of the application process, you will need to select which organisation you are applying for, either MI5 or MI6. The MI5 role is based in London and the MI6 role is based in Cheltenham for two years.

Salary: MI5 ÂŁ34,414 rising to ÂŁ37,203 after one year. MI6 ÂŁ36,733 rising to ÂŁ39,480 after two years.

Hours: 36 Hours a week full time for MI5 and 37 hours a week full time for MI6 (flexible working available subject to business need).

About Us

MI5 and MI6 are part of the UK’s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from various threats at home, overseas and online, including cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. Working across our vital missions, you’ll deliver impact at the heart of national security. To do that, we rely on data. It can be complex, but understanding it is key to the success of our operations.

If you think you know what sort of person works in data, think again. On our Intelligence & Data Analyst Development Programmes in either agency, you’ll see that you don’t need to be a data expert to help protect the UK - just be yourself.

The Role

We have opportunities available in either MI5 or MI6. You will have to choose at the point of application which organisation you would like to apply for, you may not apply for both. If you wish to apply for the MI6 programme, then please visit their careers website.

In every role, you’ll be seeing important data from all kinds of sources. You could be working in areas that help build our capability or training others to develop their analytical skills. You could also be working in close partnership with Intelligence Officers passing on your new-found intelligence, drawing on each other’s expertise and having a direct impact on investigations. Whether you’re experienced in tech or not, you’ll learn everything you need to know on the programme – and discover your potential in the process.

Depending on which organisation you pick, the role may differ slightly. However, in each role you’ll join an analysis team, playing a vital role in turning raw data into intelligence to help keep the country safe. You’ll use skills learnt from a mixture of formal training in technical and analytical tools, as well as on the job learning. This varied training will help you make sense of the information gained from a variety of sources. You will be tasked to come up with creative solutions by making connections and identifying trends to solve key questions in our investigations. The rest of the time on the programme will be spent consolidating your knowledge in your analysis team whilst working closely with partners using our unique tools and techniques.


About You

There’s no ‘type’ of person who works in data. We’re looking for people who are naturally curious, determined, and have a genuine passion for data. You’ll spot things others don’t and communicate your ideas with the team. Whatever your background, we’ll value your insights and perspectives because they will help us make those vital connections.

You don’t need to have coding or programming skills, but you’ll have some experience analysing data and will be keen to develop your abilities further with our support and training. You’ll have (or be expecting) a 2:2 degree in any subject or have work experience where you have demonstrated the key skills required for the role.

Training and Development

If you apply to MI5, you’ll be based in London and after your initial induction, you’ll complete three-months of training where you’ll learn about the role and become familiar with our processes. You’ll all start at the same level and it’s a great chance to meet people who share your interest in analysis. You’ll then take on three different analyst postings over the next five years, giving you a chance to experience a wide breadth of our unique data. In your first analysis posting, you’ll be given a development partner to advise you and ensure you continue to develop your skills. You’ll also be part of a supportive team who can help you develop your ideas.

If you apply to MI6, you’ll work for MI6 but be based in Cheltenham for the first two years. After your initial induction, you’ll join your multi-agency analyst team where you’ll be directly involved in supporting our core work. For the first six months, you’ll be carrying out a mixture of classroom training as well as on the job training back in your team. You’ll join alongside people who share your passion for analysis and although you may be placed in different teams, you’ll come together for the classroom training to knowledge share and support each other. Once the training has finished, you’ll spend the remainder of your time on the programme enhancing your knowledge and continuing to develop your skills. Throughout the programme you’ll also have a mentor to support you and help build upon your skills. We’ll provide financial support for accommodation costs whilst you’re based in Cheltenham. After the programme finishes, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for roles in London, Cheltenham or abroad and continue your career using your analysis skills.

Rewards and Benefits

In MI6, you’ll receive a starting salary of £36,733 and for MI5, you’ll receive a starting salary of £34,414. Both organisations offer 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
  • Interest-free season ticket loan
  • Personal Learning Budget (MI5 only)
  • Excellent pension scheme
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Facilities such as a subsidised gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars
  • Paid parental and adoption leave


Equal Opportunities

At MI5 and MI6 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 backgrounds 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.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/diversity

https://www.sis.gov.uk/explore-careers.html

We’re Disability Confident

MI5 and MI6 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 OOI, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:


  • Online Cognitive Ability test – You will be required to reach the minimum pass mark for this test (more details on the Online Cognitive Ability test can be found under ‘What to Expect’ below)
  • Application Sift – You will be required to meet the minimum pass mark for this sift (more details on the Full Application can be found under ‘What to Expect’ below)
  • SOI – You will be required to meet the minimum pass mark for this test (more details on the SOI can be found under ‘What to Expect’ below)

On successful completion of these stages, you will be invited to interview (this could be either a telephone, video or face to face interview). This is our Offer of an Interview.

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 form – 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.
  • Online Cognitive Ability test – Once you have submitted the initial application, you will be asked to complete a short online test which takes around 20 minutes to complete.
  • 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.
  • SOI (subject Of Interest) test - You’ll then be asked to complete a 90-minute online exercise, which has been designed to give you a better understanding of the Intelligence Analyst role as well us showing us your approach to problem solving.
  • Telephone interview – You will be asked questions about your motivations for applying and some competency-based questions.
  • Assessment Centre – You’ll then attend an online assessment centre involving an interview, two roleplay exercises and one written exercise. This will give you a good idea of a day in the life of an Intelligence and Data Analyst.
  • Final Selection Board Interview – You may be invited to attend a final selection board which will involve a short motivational and competency interview building on your performance at the previous stages.

You will be given more information about what to expect at each stage as you progress through the application process.

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 job offer.


Before You Apply

To work at MI5 and MI6, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs/

https://www.sis.gov.uk/eligibility.html

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.

https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/vetting

https://www.sis.gov.uk/clearing-you-through-security.html

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.

For MI5, this role is based in London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. A loan is available to support people relocating to London.

If you’ve selected MI6, this role will be based in Cheltenham for the first two years, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. Financial support for accommodation costs will be provided during your time in Cheltenham.

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 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.