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Form of work
Salary 1
About Us
MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing, and assessing intelligence and then work with a range of partners including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses, and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you'll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
The Role
The Cyber teams at MI5 utilise technology in ways you would never have thought possible. Working closely with colleagues, you'll be part of a team helping to shape and further advance MI5 technical capability, allowing us to collect and review intelligence for fast-paced and high-profile investigations. Our Cyber Specialists provide a unique insight into complex and evolving threats, utilising their skills to help us disrupt the technical activities of our adversaries.
We solve problems that you don't see elsewhere. Technology is rapidly evolving, so it's vital for MI5 to stay ahead of the game. This is a unique, varied job that comes with unmatched job satisfaction.
If you are eager to discover new techniques, then this three-year Development Programme will give you an opportunity to learn and apply new skills at work. Some of your time will be spent working in MI5's Specialist Cyber Team, applying newly acquired knowledge and expertise. You'll also spend time developing your technical skills through formalised training and self-learning, whilst always proactively engaging in the vital work our cyber teams do to prevent threats to national security. Throughout the Development programme, you'll undertake a minimum of three placements in a variety of friendly, inclusive, and highly specialised teams where you'll be heavily supported by your Line Manager, Placement Manager and Technical Mentor. The rest of the time, you'll be paid to learn relevant technical skills and study the technical background to cyber security. You'll soon develop the knowledge and skills that can be applied to work.
The following topics will be covered during the Development Programme as a minimum:
• Cyber Security
• Open-Source Intelligence
• Network and Digital Communications Theory
• Cryptography
• IT Security
• Penetration Testing
This is a unique opportunity to learn and apply skills in the fascinating, covert world of MI5.
About You
You don't need have any technical knowledge, but you'll need is an interest in technology, an aptitude for problem solving and a willingness to learn new skills. We'll teach you the rest. We welcome applications if you have, or expect to obtain, the equivalent of three A Levels at grades B, B and C or higher (at least 112 UCAS tariff points). And whatever your background, you're adaptable, motivated, and collaborative, you're comfortable engaging with people, and enjoy solving problems and embracing challenges to support our mission. We also welcome applications from experienced candidates who can demonstrate the skills above, regardless of educational background.
We encourage applications from both those about to leave education and those who have already started a career and are looking to re-train.
Training and Development
We value and nurture talent to help you fulfil your potential throughout your career. This Development Programme combines classroom and lab education, with technical training, mentoring, job shadowing, research, and development, as well as work-based placements and projects. You'll be working alongside the world's best cyber security professionals, working with some of the most advanced and emerging technology, while developing a broad range of skills including teamwork, communication, and leadership.
In terms of the location of these training and development opportunities, the programme comprises of a mix of classroom-based and lab-based learning, virtual learning, as well as on-site work placements.
Upon successful completion of the Development Programme, there is an attractive career structure, with continual training, promotion opportunities, and a strong culture of flexible working.
Rewards and Benefits
You'll receive a starting salary of £27,846, plus £500 London Pay Allowance
- 25 days' annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years of service, and an additional 10.5 days' public and privilege holidays
- Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
- Personal Learning Budget
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Excellent pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations).
- Paid parental and adoption leave
Equal Opportunities
At MI5, 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: https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/diversity
We're Disability Confident
MI5 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 interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
• Demonstrate a strong motivation and commitment to work for the UK intelligence agencies, assessed at application form sift.
• Demonstrate an interest in IT and new emerging technologies, either through work experience or self-taught, assessed at application form sift.
At each stage of the recruitment process you'll be asked if you require any workplace adjustments. Each request is considered individually, and the recruitment team and partners work closely with candidates to accommodate their requests. Requests can range from extra assessment time to use of software supporting voice to text transcription. We strongly encourage you to share with us any reasonable adjustment request and we will do our upmost to support you through the recruitment process.
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
• Application sift, looking at your technical interests and general motivation for the role and organisation.
• Telephone Interview, to assess motivational fit, exploring the skills you can offer and motivations for undertaking the role.
• Competency Based and Technical interview, exploring your aptitude for problem solving and technology.
• If successful, you'll receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting.
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 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, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here .
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 .
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.
The role is based in Central London, so you'll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. An interest-free loan via our benevolent fund is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation to take up the offer of employment.
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.
