Language Analysts - European Languages and Classics Ref.1065

GCHQ employs highly-skilled Language Analysts in a variety of languages. We are currently recruiting employees with skills in European languages and Classics. You will need linguistic ability of a very high order to carry out the duties of transcription, translation, analysis and research and we would love to hear from you if you have, or are on track to achieve, a 2:1 degree in at least two of the following languages (this can be one degree that covers 2 or more languages, or separate degrees in 2 or more different languages):

Dutch
French
German
Greek
Italian
Polish
Portuguese
Spanish

or in one of Latin or Ancient Greek.

We are looking for well-motivated people who are happy to work in a constantly changing technological environment and who have drive, initiative, perseverance and a naturally enquiring mind that is capable of looking beyond the obvious. We need candidates with an aptitude for learning how to use new tools, who will be able to carry out the analytical elements of the role with ease and confidence and who will relish the challenges the cyber age has to throw at us.


The role
The threats we face come in a variety of languages and our language analysts use their expert skills every day, using their deep knowledge of specific languages to piece together snippets of information collected from a variety of digital communication sources. Language Analysts will often be called on to respond to changing world events to provide their cultural expertise to colleagues and seniors.
They provide valuable insights into what’s happening, where, and when across the world.  They are called Language Analysts as the role involves so much more than an average linguist translation and interpreting job.  While no two days at GCHQ will be the same, some of the main elements of the role are:

•    Using your language and cultural knowledge to produce summaries and/or transcriptions or translations into English of material assessed as being of intelligence value, some of which might be highly technical or specialist in nature;

•    Developing and applying analytical skills and an understanding of communications technologies in order to build up the intelligence picture;

•    Establishing and managing intelligence requirements with customers in Whitehall and beyond, and producing intelligence reports for other government departments, law enforcement agencies or the military.



Training
At GCHQ we pride ourselves on the high quality bespoke training packages we offer to our Language Analysts. From day one you will be given the support required to develop your language skills and you will then be entitled to receive further payments once further language assessments are passed.

Communication technologies are at the heart of our work, but you don’t need to have a technical background.   Alongside support on language skills, you will receive full training and support on cyber and the technical aspects of the job.

Re-training
Applicants offering Latin and Ancient Greek, and some of those with modern European languages, will be retrained in another, rare language. Many of our linguists love this opportunity - how many jobs do you find where you get paid to learn a language to degree level? If you are interested in re-training, please mention this in the application form.


This is vital work that calls for intrepid people, people who are ready to explore new possibilities and, whichever role they’re in, can find solutions in unconventional ways. Join our mission and enjoy a unique insight into another world – using and developing your language expertise in an environment that just might surprise you.

Locations

Please be aware that the role of Language Analysts - European Languages and Classics is available in Cheltenham only

Salary
£25,738 plus the possiblity of a language allowance

The recruitment process:

The closing date for applications is Monday 13th March 2017. Successful candidates will be invited to language testing on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April 2017 which will take place in Gloucestershire .
If you are successful at language testing, you will then be invited to an interview and analytical aptitude exercise w/c 17th April 2017.

We regret we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.