Persian Linguist Ref. 1587

Stonewall Top Employer AwardSocial Mobility Foundation AwardDisability confident leaderThe Prince's Responsible BusinessThe Times Top 100

Languages
London
£36,000 including allowances
As you would expect, SIS handles a lot of material that originates in a foreign language. So, as an SIS linguist we need you at the heart of an operational team to sift foreign language material, extract any intelligence and present it in an English-language format that can be shared internally and with readers across Whitehall (our “customers”). You will form a close relationship with your team to ensure you stay up-to-date with the evolving requirements against which the foreign language material is analysed.

Operational teams bring together officers from various streams specialising in different skills, and you will get involved with their operational work. You will get to see the wider context in which your work is used: you will see how your expertise makes an impact. You will use your language(s) in many different ways, such as conducting online research, teaching or providing cultural advice to colleagues. Linguists also interpret both in the UK and overseas, facilitating anything from informal one-to-one discussions to full-scale formal meetings.

After three years in your first role, the linguist career structure allows for promotion through several grades: successful linguists are those who add value in line with the Service’s core competencies in addition to improving their language ability. Linguist skills and expertise are also rewarded in other ways within grade boundaries. Of course, you may also want to experience other roles within the Service, and many linguists choose to do this before bringing enhanced skills and valuable experience back to language work.

Continuous development and training are vital. There are plenty of opportunities to further your language expertise and acquire job-related skills that enhance your core work. Intelligence-related language work brings unique subjects and scenarios, so we offer an in-house interpreter training scheme, peer workshops and the chance to have your skills formally validated (which can attract salary supplements). Finally, because all of our work involves close collaboration with our UK intelligence partners there are training and networking opportunities in the other agencies.

If you join us you’ll enjoy access to a variety of benefits throughout your career. These include an excellent work life balance with flexible working hours and a good pension scheme. We also have part-time working opportunities where business need allows.

In addition to a fulfilling and rewarding career you’ll be working in a structured environment that offers extensive support, ongoing professional development and peer review.

Click here to find out more about current job opportunities at MI6.

To apply you must be a born or naturalized British citizen, over 21 years old. You should not discuss your application with anyone other than your partner or a close family member. They should also be made aware of the importance of discretion.

MI6 strive for diversity in the workplace and are committed to the creation and maintenance of a climate in which all staff are treated fairly on the grounds of merit and ability.

This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.