Linguist Ref. 1746

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Languages
London, Manchester

Your language skills could open a fascinating role in intelligence. The UK Intelligence Agencies are looking to recruit flexible hours linguists on a contract basis to use rare language skills to provide intelligence insights, working alongside our operational teams. We are interested in hiring contractor linguists to respond quickly and effectively to changing operational demands. This role would ideally complement a portfolio of other employment.

By working with MI5, SIS and GCHQ you will play a key role in protecting the UK. We are looking for linguists for roles that will go well beyond translation and transcription. It takes knowledge of the culture, history, politics and ideology to fully understand the original material. If you can do that, you can enable MI5, SIS and GCHQ to make the right choices to help safeguard national security.


The Roles

You'll work as an integral part of an operational team, sifting language materials against requirements to identify reportable intelligence that will be forwarded to analysts to help shape and influence their operational decision¬ making. You'll also have the opportunity to verbally brief colleagues across the intelligence agencies.

You will be working in a modern, open plan working environment which encourages day-to-day collaboration and you'll be supported by a team of colleagues.

Enthusiasm, flexibility and team-working are all important. You'll have an analytical and enquiring mind, sound judgement and good attention to detail.


The Agencies

These are openings for language skills to support MI5, SIS and GCHQ.

MI5 is responsible for the domestic security of the UK - the work of linguists helps to identify and counter threats to the UK from terrorism, espionage and cyber.

SIS operates globally to collect foreign intelligence in support of the UK government's policies and efforts to protect national security and economic well-being. As much of this intelligence is collected in foreign languages, linguists are key to ensuring it is used as effectively as possible.

GCHQ is focused on collecting foreign intelligence which linguists translate and analyse to protect the UK from threats such as terrorism, hackers, espionage and organised crime. Technology is critical to meeting these 21st Century threats.


The Skills

Whether you have developed your language skills at home as you were growing up, whilst living or working abroad or through academic study, you will have a genuine passion for languages. You'll thrive on the challenge of applying your language skills in this environment. To ensure you pass our language tests, you will need to be able to comfortably read newspaper articles and understand news broadcasts in the language. You'll be able to translate from the language into clear, well drafted English.


Recruitment Process

If you wish to apply, the first thing we will ask you to do is complete our pre-screening questions to see if you meet our initial eligibility criteria.

If you do, we will then ask you to begin an application. You'll need to create an online login. You can do this by providing your full name, email address and a memorable password. Once you have successfully created a personal account, you will be required to complete an online application form. As well as basic biographical details and your education and employment history to date, you will need to provide details of all your language skills. You will be asked how you learned the language, how you currently use your language skills and to what standard you can speak, read and write these languages and dialects. You will also be asked about your interest in the language and culture and what appeals to you about using your language skill in your work.
 
Our recruitment team will complete an application sift to assess how far you meet the job specification. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an audio language test and competency based interview to check whether you have the skills we are looking for.

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.