Intelligence Officer - Registration of Interest Ref. 3300
Our Intelligence Officers work secretly around the globe to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. Working in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence.
It’s a fascinating and diverse role where you’ll use everyday skills – including communication, problem solving and empathy – to tackle extraordinary challenges. It’s genuinely interesting and rewarding work.
IOs work across four main areas:
- Operational Managers, who are responsible for planning operations, while identifying and managing risks.
- Targeters, who are tasked with turning information, such as data, into operations alongside our partner agencies.
- Reporting Officers, who link us with Whitehall and our intelligence customers and are responsible for validating and testing the intelligence as well as briefing ministers.
- Case Officers, who build and manage relationships with agents – the people who pass us the intelligence we need.
Depending on the area you’re in, you might meet a contact for a chat in a café, or you might gather intelligence online at our offices. In fact, your work will look much like any other office role – and like any other job, you’ll usually be contactable, if your family and friends need you.
We don’t expect you to be a fully trained IO when you join; it’s your potential that we’re interested in. That’s why you’ll begin your career here on the three-year Intelligence Officer Training Pathway, where you’ll learn everything you need to know about being an IO. You’ll have your own workload to look after, but you’ll also have plenty of support at your fingertips.
Find out more about our organisational eligibility criteria as well as what it’s like to work as an IO by listening to some employee profiles.
About you
You’re inquisitive, perceptive and empathetic. You enjoy learning new things all the time, and you’re deeply interested in the world around you. You’ll have a knack for building positive relationships with people and gaining their trust. On the academic side, you’ll need a minimum of a 2:2 degree or higher, and if you’re an undergraduate, you’ll be expecting your final degree result within 12 months of your application date. Unfortunately, we cannot accept an application earlier than that.
As well as demonstrating a strong motivation for joining the organisation and doing the IO role, you’ll also be able to demonstrate the following key competencies:
Problem solving and judgement – a keen problem-solver, you’ll be comfortable in your decision making but also able to bring in the expertise of others when you’re unsure.
Personal organisation and proactivity – a good organiser, you’ll be able to multi-task, prioritising work and able to create and develop plans. With an objective approach, you’ll review progress and risks, to ensure plans use resources efficiently.
Clear communicator and influencer – you’ll present information to others concisely and tailored to your audience. And you’ll use your communication and people skills to build strong arguments so you can confidently and credibly bring others round to your point of view.
Able to work with others – with empathy and an ability to take account of others’ objectives, you’ll build positive relationships with people with a range of different experiences and backgrounds.
Able to work with a broad range of customers – you’ll understand requirements, build strong, trusted relationships and keep them informed of progress.
Open to change – a keen learner, you’ll continually look for opportunities to develop your skills, share your learnings and embrace change.
Ultimately, the skills we’re looking for are the ones you use every day – and not just at work. Maybe your people skills come from volunteering. Your love of learning from a hobby. Maybe you can coach your friends through a tricky escape room, or you know just how to calm your kids down. Those are just the kind of people skills we need.
Application window
The application window for the IO role will open on 27th September 2024. In the meantime, we encourage all those from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background and women (of any background) to register their interest for this upcoming opportunity. Please note that we’re confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
If you meet the demographic criteria outlined above, as part of the registration of interest you'll be invited to an online session taking place on 25th September 2024 to learn more about the role. An email will be sent with further information ahead of the event.
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 IO role will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.
Once the application window has opened, we’ll 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 by clicking ‘submit’ below.
