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.
About the role
Our Intelligence Officers (IOs) work around the globe to gather, deliver and use secret intelligence to protect the UK and its interests overseas. It’s a complex role, covering four main areas:
- Targeters, 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)
- Reporting Officers, who analyse, validate and test the intelligence before briefing government officials
- Operational Managers, who plan and manage the collection of intelligence
You might meet a contact 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 like any other job, you’ll usually be contactable, if your family and friends need you.
We don’t expect you to be a fully trained IO when you join; it’s your potential that we’re interested in. That’s why you’ll begin your career here on the three-year Intelligence Officer Training Pathway, where you’ll learn everything you need to know about being an IO through both classroom and on-the-job training. You’ll have your own workload to look after, but you’ll also have plenty of support from mentors and colleagues.
About you
You’re inquisitive, perceptive and empathetic. You enjoy learning new things and you’re deeply interested in the world around you. Plus, you’ll have a knack for building positive relationships with people and gaining their trust. On the academic side, you’ll need a minimum of a 2:2 degree or higher, and if you’re an undergraduate, you’ll be expecting your final degree result within 12 months of your application date. Unfortunately, we cannot accept an application earlier than that.
Register your interest now
The application window for the IO role will open on 27th September 2024. In the meantime, we encourage all those from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background and women (of any background) to register their interest for this upcoming opportunity. Please note that we’re confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
As part of the registration of interest, you’ll be invited to an online session taking place on the 25th September 2024 to learn more about the role.
A registration of interest does not constitute a job application, nor will such registration have any bearing upon the recruitment process itself.
Any individuals who register their interest and who decide subsequently to apply for the IO role will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.
Once the application window has opened, we welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of their ethnic background, gender, disability and/or any other characteristic(s). All applications will be assessed solely on merit.
Register your interest by visiting our website.
