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Despite what films and TV might tell you, MI6 isn’t all about high-octane, action-packed missions. But it is genuinely fascinating and rewarding work – where you’ll use everyday skills to tackle extraordinary challenges.
So, what does an Intelligence Officer do? Well, you’ll be using your intellectual curiosity to help gather, deliver and use secret Intelligence to protect the UK and its interests overseas. At the same time, you’ll use your interest in people to build strong relationships. Working with government departments and agents at home and abroad, you’ll be helping to keep our nation safe and secure.
Our Intelligence Officers cover four main areas. There’s Targeting Officers, who analyse data to be turned into real-life Intelligence Operations. Case Officers, who build and manage relationships with agents (the people who pass on Intelligence to us – not the likes of 007). Reporting Officers, who analyse, validate, and test the Intelligence before briefing government officials. And finally, there’s Operational Managers, who plan and manage the collection of Intelligence.
It’s all critical work. You might meet an agent for a chat in a café. Or you might gather Intelligence online at our offices. In fact, your work will look much like any other office role – and you’ll usually be contactable throughout the day too, in case your family and friends need you. No matter what, everything you do will be legal, and you’ll be supported all the way.
You’ll start off by completing our three-year Intelligence Officer Training Pathway, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of gathering Intelligence. In that time, you’ll do both classroom and on-the-job training, and experience a few different roles with your own workload to look after. So, when you’re ready to graduate, you’ll be able to apply for a role in an area that best suits your skills and interests. Every three years or so, you’ll move into one of the other Intelligence Officer areas so you’ll gain a breadth of skills and experience. Wherever you are, there’s constant access to a mentor and plenty of support around you – from both your colleagues and our many diversity network groups.
As for benefits, there’s a lot on offer. Such as opportunities to work overseas, interest-free relocation and season ticket loans, 25 days’ annual leave, an excellent pension scheme, financial support for learning and development, and shared parental and adoption leave.
There are few things we look out for in our Intelligence Officers:
- A minimum 2:2 degree or higher.
- A knack for problem solving.
- Being proactive and organised.
- Confident communication.
- Inclusive collaboration.
- Embracing change.
If you’re an avid learner, a people person, and if you throw yourself into learning new things every day, you’ll be welcome here, whoever you are. Our Intelligence Officers are of every culture, background, and gender identity because we value diversity in every sense of the word.
To apply, please visit 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 https://www.sis.gov.uk/eligibility.html
