MI5 is an information business. An understanding of the information we use is an essential part of us being able to make the most of what we have in an efficient, and legally-compliant way. We’re looking for students who wants to learn more about the way information and data are handled in MI5, working for an 11-week summer placement within a multi-disciplinary team comprising information architects, business analysts, information managers and policy officers.

The Role – Information Architect

We look at information flows through our organisation to better understand what we’ve got, to ensure compliance checks and controls are applied in the right places, and to improve our ability to make the most of the information we have. You will work with experienced information managers to assess the impact of new technologies on our ability to process and manage data, making recommendations for how to better organise, distribute, protect and control information that supports our national security work.  By the end of your placement, you will have built up an understanding of the data challenges faced by modern intelligence agencies, and how we ensure we meet all our legal obligations in respect of the information we hold. You will have contributed to the smoother flow of information to our end users.

Key Responsibilities

- Engage with information users, policy officers, legal advisors and project teams to build a shared understanding of the information management implications of new initiatives

- Write documents or slides to communicate information risks to a variety of audiences (technical and less-technical), and ideas about how to mitigate them

- Learn how an architectural approach to planning our information estate helps us better address information management requirements in the long term

- Liaise with software engineers and expert partners to address the information management requirements of new technology

- Gain experience working in team on a very wide range of matters at the intersection of intelligence work, policy and technology

The Person

For success in this role you’ll be expecting to achieve by Autumn 2022, at least a 2:2 in your degree.

Due to the nature of our organisation, a technical aptitude coupled with an interest in the ethical, sociological and political dimensions of the digital age are essential.  Additionally, some understanding of how a computer system organises information will help you get the most out of the placement.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. One of your parents must be a British Citizen or must have one of the nationalities or citizenships from one of the following: British Overseas territory, British subject, British National (Overseas), British protected person, citizenship of the Commonwealth, EEA nationality, or citizenship of the United States of America. If deceased, have had such citizenship or nationality before death. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. If successful, you will not normally be required to give up your non-British citizenship but, as a condition of your employment or secondment, MI5 may impose restrictions on your postings, work travel and/or general use of that nationality. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. Each case will be carefully considered on its own facts. You can apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. 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 of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the Applying section.

Recruitment Process

Please ensure you follow all our guidance, read about our vetting process and check you meet our eligibility criteria before you apply. If you omit, conceal or offer misleading information during the recruitment process, we’ll view it very seriously.

If you meet our initial criteria after completing our pre-screening questions you’ll begin your application by creating a personal account. You’ll set up a login with your full name, email address and a memorable password. Then you’ll complete an initial registration form, including contact details and equal opportunities monitoring information.

You’ll then complete the online application form. If you’re successful, you may also be asked to take an online Codility test dependant on the role you’ve applied for. If you pass these, we’ll invite you to an assessment centre, which will involve both competency and technical interviews. Succeed at the assessment centre and we’ll invite you to a security interview with a vetting officer.

Please note applicants will be required to come to London to attend our recruitment assessment centres which will take place between November 2020 and December 2020 and a separate security interview with our vetting officers.

Offer of Interview (OOI)

As part of our commitment to the ‘Disability Confident’ scheme we offer an interview to all candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the job vacancy that they are applying for.  This is known as the Offer of Interview (OOI).

Along with the standard eligibility requirements for this post, your application will be assessed on how far you meet the job requirements. Your application must score the minimum amount of points set.  On successful completion of this stage, you will be invited to interview.  This will normally be a telephone interview and is our offer of interview’

Confidentiality

Discretion is vital. You should only discuss your application with either your partner or a close family member.

Equal Opportunities

The UK Intelligence Agencies are Equal Opportunities employers, committed to reflecting the society we protect.  Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and based on merit. We are particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates.

Please be aware that we withhold the right to being forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful on this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

To apply please click here.