MI5, MI6, and GCHQ are 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, all within a supportive and inclusive environment that allows everyone to thrive.
Wherever you’re based, your Persian language proficiency (at least C1 level) and good understanding of Iranian culture, history, religion, and politics will provide crucial insights and will help to shape and influence government policy.
At MI5 and MI6, you’ll work collaboratively, sharing your knowledge and contributing to language profession initiatives. It’s rewarding work, which draws on your judgement and people skills, as well as your linguistic and cultural know-how. Using your skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Persian, you’ll translate, transcribe, and interpret a range of materials, carrying out research and sharing your findings. This will support the operational work you do that includes targeting, casework, training or operational planning and management. You’ll use basic analysis skills alongside your language work.
At WEST, you’ll combine your language and technical skills to piece together snippets of information, collected from a variety of digital communication sources. Working closely with operational teams and other government departments, you’ll create the intelligence picture. Your language skills and cultural knowledge will help identify reportable intelligence, progress operations, and shape and influence government policy.
In return, you’ll receive a competitive salary and great benefits, as well as plenty of dedicated support to help you build a rewarding career. From an assigned buddy and comprehensive training to opportunities to gain professional qualifications, you’ll continuously develop your skills and undoubtedly gain from our strong emphasis on learning.
Ours is a friendly, open environment where we encourage people to bring their whole selves to work. As well as several social clubs and societies that help colleagues meet new people, we have a wide range of support networks promoting awareness of gender equality, LGBTQ+, Race, faith, neurodivergence, disability, and more – all to ensure you feel supported, valued, and included. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, in particular those from groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce, such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
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.
