**This vacancy is now closed, any applications made after 23:00 17th July will not be considered**

At MI5 and MI6, we help protect the UK and UK interests from threats to national security at home and abroad. It means we work against everything from terrorism and espionage, to cyber threats and sabotage. It’s a complex task, which is why we need the right people to join us.

About the role


Vetting Officers hear the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s about having insightful, confidential conversations with people to build a full picture of who they are. Essentially, you’re helping to keep the country safe by thoroughly vetting candidates, and identifying anything about them that could pose a risk to national security.


In this vital role, you’ll put individuals at ease and encourage them to open up about personal, sensitive matters. These could include everything from family history and social life, to financial affairs and relationships. The interviews are incredibly detailed; it takes both diplomacy and discretion, using your emotional intelligence to find honest answers. That’s why you’ll instil trust and support to discover their unedited life stories.


Empathetic yet assertive, you’ll build rapport and have an innate sense for the truth. You’ll know when to dig a little deeper, with the ability to spot inaccuracies or inconsistencies. But no matter what you hear, you’ll remain professional and unbiased at all times. Ultimately, once you’ve collated all the information you need – you’ll recommend whether or not someone should hold Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.


A great listener and a natural people-person, you’ll handle delicate matters sensitively - always acting with integrity. You’ll need to be organised and logical, yet intuitive and curious, able to naturally absorb and record a lot of detail whilst asking questions. Plus, you’ll bring all the relevant information together in clear and concise reports.


In return, you’ll have a flexible, impactful career. Join, and become part of a team who play a vital part in keeping the country safe.


Recruitment Process


The first thing we will ask you to do is complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do meet these criteria we will then ask you to begin an application.


You will need to create a log in and provide your full name, email address and a memorable password. Once you have successfully created a personal account, you will be required to complete an initial registration form, providing contact details and equal opportunities monitoring information.


You will then be invited to complete an online application form. In order for us to process your application it is essential that you provide all the information requested in the application form, including answers to the ‘Skills & Additional Information’ section. Our recruitment team will complete an application sift and successful applicants will be invited to a telephone interview to check you have the potential skills and motivation to work for the Security Service. If successful you will then be invited to an Assessment Centre to further explore your skills. The Assessment Centre includes a written exercise and role play exercises. If successful you will then be invited to the final stage of the recruitment process, which is a face to face interview.


On successful completion of the recruitment process you will begin going through our vetting process, which will involve a security interview.


Guaranteed Interview Scheme


As part of our commitment to being a 'Disability Confident' employer we offer an interview to all candidates with a disability who meet our minimum criteria for the job vacancy that they are applying for. This is known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS).


To secure an interview for this vacancy, the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:


Vacancy Eligibility Questions:
You will be asked a series of questions relating to this vacancy. If you meet the criteria here you will be directed to the initial application form.


Application Sift:
Along with the standard eligibility requirements for this post, your application will be assessed on how far you meet the job specification and the competency questions you answer. Each competency will be scored. Your application must score the minimum amount of points set.


On successful completion of these stages, you will be invited to interview. This will normally be a telephone interview, which acts as our guaranteed interview.


Eligibility Criteria


To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen and one of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK.

Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for nine out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. However, we will still consider you if you’ve served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty’s Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents.


Due to vetting requirements you will need to be 18 years old, or above, to apply. Your application may take around nine months to process.


Owing to the sensitivity of our work, we do not publicly disclose the identities of our staff. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.