Surveillance is one of MI5’s key investigative resources in protecting against threats to national security from terrorism to espionage. Mobile Surveillance Officers follow subjects who have been identified by Intelligence Officers as potential threats to national security.  
 
It’s all about blending into the environment naturally wherever you are and being able to observe people and places, either by foot or by vehicle. Being able to blend into the background safely is of paramount importance in our investigations. This is about always behaving naturally and putting your safety and those of your colleagues first. We provide intensive training to support this. 
 
You’ll need to be flexible – working hours are organised on a five-week shift pattern, which includes working two weekends in five. This is structured so you’ll know well in advance exactly what shift you are working. Some people find that working shifts and having their days off during the week can be a real benefit to work-life balance.

The nature of the work can require extensive travel around the UK and so you may need to spend time away from home. We will give you as much notice for this as possible but sometimes it may be shorter notice than we would like. On rare occasions you may spend up to seven nights away. 

We take training very seriously. It ensures our people remain safe and allows us to equip our staff to collect the intelligence we need. If you are successful in the recruitment and the vetting processes, you will be invited to take part in a non-residential full-time 20-week training course based in London to give you the skills you’ll need to become a Mobile Surveillance Officer.

As part of our team, you’ll discover an inclusive workplace that’s welcoming, supportive and encouraging. You’ll be part of an organisation where people want to support one another and make a difference. The UK has a highly diverse population so it’s vital that we too have a diverse team who can operate in a wide range of environments without attracting attention.

Please note due to the nature of the role: Any distinguishing features such as tattoos on your face, neck or hands would make you more recognisable to someone who is under surveillance and would therefore make you unsuitable for this role. Likewise, if you are male you will need to be 6’2” or under and females must be 5’10” or under. Similarly, you’ll need good vision and hearing and a reasonable level of health and fitness details of these requirements can be found on our website.

The application window for our Mobile Surveillance Officer role will open on Friday 12th August at 10am.

In the meantime, we’d be particularly keen for candidates who are Female or from an Ethnic Minority background* to register their interest for these forthcoming opportunities. 

As part of the registration of interest, you will be invited to an online event prior to the campaign opening. This will be held on:

Wednesday 10th August 2022 

The events will run at 1pm and 5pm and last for approximately 1 hour. 
 

*Please note that we are confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.  
  

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 Mobile Surveillance Officer role will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.  
  

Once the application window has opened, we will 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 here.