Location: London, but based in Cheltenham for up to the first 2 years
MI6 £39,704 rising to £42,684 after 2 years
Flexible working: 37 hours a week full time. Office-based, with no remote or flexible working available during the training period. After this, flexible working may be possible, subject to business need.
We’re MI6, also known as SIS. Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role in MI6 will see you providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
Think you know what sort of person works in data? Think again. On our Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme, you’ll see that you don’t need to be a data expert to help protect the UK - just yourself. You’ll play a key role as part of an analysis team turning raw data into vital intelligence, and use skills gained throughout your training to help you make sense of information we gather from a range of sources. And, you’ll come up with creative solutions by making connections, identifying trends, and solving key questions in our investigations.
This is a London-based role, but you’ll operate out of Cheltenham for the first two years. You’ll start with an initial induction, before joining a multi-agency analyst team where you’ll be directly involved in supporting our core work. Over the following six months you’ll carry out a mixture of classroom training as well as on the job training in your team. And once the training has finished, you’ll spend the remainder of the programme enhancing your knowledge and continuing to develop your skills. When the programme ends, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for roles in London, Cheltenham or abroad to continue your career using your analysis skills.
Importantly, you won’t be on your own. As part of a cohort that shares your passion for analysis, you’ll come together for the classroom training to exchange knowledge and support. You’ll also work and learn on-the-job in close partnership with Intelligence Officers and analysis teams, passing on your new-found intelligence and drawing on each other’s expertise. Ours is a truly collaborative culture where your input will be valued. Working together, you’ll see the impact of your work every day.
There’s no ‘type’ of person who works in data. You’ll be naturally curious, determined and genuinely interested in building a career in this field. With your attention to detail, you’ll spot things others don’t and enjoy working collaboratively. Logical and detail-oriented, you’ll approach problems like puzzles you need to solve. You’ll keep going until you get the solution; likewise, you’ll recognise when you’ve done enough and prioritise your time effectively.
While you don’t need coding or programming skills to join, you’ll have some experience analysing data and be keen to develop your abilities further. You’ll also have (or be expecting) a 2:2 degree in any subject or have work experience where you have demonstrated some of the key skills and qualities required for success in the role.
As well as dedicated training and support, you’ll also enjoy a range of great benefits including 25 days’ annual leaving (rising to 30 after 5 years’ service), an interest-free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, paid parental and adoption leave, and access to our on-site facilities including a gym, restaurant and coffee bars. Please note, if you live more than a one-hour commute from Cheltenham we’ll also provide financial support for accommodation costs.
Please note, if you wish to apply for this opportunity at MI6, you will not be able to apply to the Intelligence and Data Analysis Development Programme at MI5. For more information on both and to apply, please visit our website.
At 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 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. Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.
To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website.
