About Us

MI5 safeguards the UK against threats such as terrorism, espionage, cyber and sabotage. We investigate suspect individuals and organisations in the UK to obtain, collate, analyse and assess secret intelligence relating to these threats. Alongside our British Intelligence partners MI6 and GCHQ, we provide the UK government with the information they need to protect national security. At MI5 you’ll enjoy varied and rewarding work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork. 

The Role

As an Evaluation Team Lead, you’ll oversee a range of intelligence community evaluation initiatives, including complex government policies and programmes. Applying process, impact and value for money evaluation techniques, you’ll ensure projects and programmes are delivered to HMT Magenta and Green Book standards – and shape key policy decisions as a result.

Working as part of the Evaluation Unit assisting all three agencies, you’ll liaise with teams across the intelligence community as well as individuals from the Cabinet Office, Treasury, and external clients. You’ll ensure all parties stay informed as you reach out to providers, check in on progress, and escalate any challenges as required.

This is a unique role with a significant amount of project work. You’ll gather robust quantitative and/or qualitative data that informs evaluations, run focus group exercises, and accurately measure the impact of different campaigns. Ours is a collaborative working environment, so you’ll talk to other areas of the business and take time to understand the specific needs of customers to produce effective research questions. And, once you’ve gathered your findings, you’ll present to clients and stakeholders and inform key policy decisions.

You’ll also take on management responsibilities for one or two junior members in the Evaluation Unit. Leading by example, you’ll encourage a collaborative and inclusive working environment, investing time in their progression as well as your own. In doing so, you’ll ensure your team remain motivated and able to produce insightful, reliable support to the UK’s Intelligence Agencies.

In return for your expertise, you’ll recieve plenty of dedicated training and support from day one, as well as opportunities to gain qualifications and accreditations to The Government Economic Service (GES) Technical Framework or to The Government Social Research (GSR) Competency Framework, if not already a member. Plus, you’ll enjoy a great work-life balance as you join a friendly, modern and exciting team doing truly valuable work. Fully remote working isn’t available due to the nature of the role, however a hybrid approach of four days in the office, one at home (maximum) is possible.

About You

You’ll have an economics or social science qualification to degree level, as well as prior experience of commissioning or delivering an external evaluation of a project or programme. A good understanding of HMT Green and Magenta Book evaluation techniques will be key, as is the ability to explain intricate, analytical issues to those from non-technical backgrounds. 

Most importantly, you’ll have the desire to make this role your own. With your knowledge, you’ll make recommendations and demonstrate a willingness to try new techniques, or adopt new, experimental evaluation methods.  

You’ll value qualities such as integrity, respect and creativity, and have the desire to make a positive impact in support of our national security missions.

Training and Development

Whatever your experience or background, you’ll be joining a community dedicated to your development. Upon joining, you’ll receive an induction to the organisation and directorate, as well as your own development partner – meaning you’ll quickly get to grips with the role and our ways of working. With help and guidance whenever you need it, you won’t be on your own. 

You’ll receive your own training plan as well as gaining access to our learning and development resources, and internal training sessions. Plus, candidates who aren’t yet accredited to GES or GSR professions will receive the assistance they need to gain membership. Government economics and/or government social research accreditations can also be attained during the role.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £64,575, plus other benefits including: 

-    25 days annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' 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 
-    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: 

•    Passing the eligibility stage
•    Meeting essential criteria for the role at the application form stage

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

•    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 fill out a full application form where you will need to create a log in and provide your full name, email address and a memorable password. 
•    Our recruitment team will conduct a sift of your application. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview, where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate key behaviours relevant to the role.
•    If you are successful at this stage, we will then start the vetting process, which includes a Security Interview. This interview is an important part of the selection process. It’s an interview to explore your life and experiences, and it’s not a competency or capability-based interview.

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 London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. A loan is available to support people relocating to London.

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.