Eligibility
SIS is a large organisation, much like many others. But it’s also unlike any other employer you’ll ever work for. Due to the sensitive nature of our operations, if you decide you’d like to apply, you’ll need to be eligible first and pass our security clearance too. Here’s everything you need to know before you progress with your application to work with us.
Your nationality
We protect British interests both at home and overseas. Because of this, to be eligible to apply you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered but you may be required to give up your non-British citizenship before you can take up employment with us. Each case will be carefully considered on its own facts.
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. You can apply from the age of 17 years. If successful, you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday.
Drugs Policy
Our staff and contractors are subject to a no drugs policy to reflect the adverse impact of illegal drug use and the misuse and abuse of other substances on behaviour, judgement, physical and mental health. The policy prohibits the use, possession or supply of illegal drugs, psychoactive substances and legal highs. Misuse or abuse of prescribed medication or any other substance is also incompatible with holding security clearance which can be withdrawn if this policy is not observed so you should adhere to our policy from the point of application onwards.
The point of application is the date you submit your application form. We realise some of our candidates will have used drugs in the past, and this may not be a bar to a successful application, but it is important to be open and honest about your drug/substance use. You will be asked during the recruitment process to provide a sample which will be tested for drugs should your application proceed.
Our security clearance
Because you will have access to sensitive government information, to work for SIS you will need the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes and it can take some time, but it’s our way of understanding whether it’s appropriate for you to have access to classified information and it ensures that we minimise any risks to you or us.
As part of the DV process you will be asked to fill in detailed questionnaires, agree referees and attend an interview with a vetting officer. In your interview the vetting officer will have a thorough, compassionate and honest discussion with you about you as a person and your life experiences, to ensure holding a DV clearance is right for you.
The vetting officer will cover topics with you such as family, friends, finances, health, relationships and lifestyle. It may feel a little uncomfortable to speak about these things, but rest assured our vetting officers are trained in how to make the environment safe for you to have these conversations.
Honesty and integrity is central to a career in SIS, so if you deliberately withhold or minimise information about yourself during the vetting process, this could result in DV being refused.