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What's it like

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(Description not needed: The visuals in this video only support what is spoken; the visuals do not provide additional information.)
View video transcript
(Description not needed: The visuals in this video only support what is spoken; the visuals do not provide additional information.)
View video transcript

Application Process

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Intelligence Officers Process Map

Takes up to
15 months
from start to finish

after each stage we'll assess your suitability before you go on to the next stage

Intelligence Officers Process Map

you register online

www.sis.gov.uk

Intelligence Officers Process Map

you complete a short application where we check you meet our initial eligibility criteria

Intelligence Officers Process Map

you complete a situational judgement test

Intelligence Officers Process Map

you fill out an application form

Intelligence Officers Process Map

you complete an online analysis exercise

Intelligence Officers Process Map

YOU SUBMIT AN ONLINE DRUGS TEST

Intelligence Officers Process Map

YOU ATTEND A VIRTUAL INTERVIEW INCLUDING A ROLE PLAY EXERCISE

Intelligence Officers Process Map

YOU ATTEND A TWO-DAY ASSESSMENT CENTRE

Intelligence Officers Process Map

you receive a conditional job offer, dependent on passing security vetting

Intelligence Officers Process Map

security vetting

(this takes on average 120 working days)

Intelligence Officers Process Map

YOU RECEIVE A FORMAL JOB OFFER

Intelligence Officers Process Map

YOU SIGN A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

Join Us

SIS offers a wide range of fascinating and unique operational roles both overseas and in the UK. Join us, and you’ll have a stimulating, rewarding and varied career.

 You’ll receive training to give you the skills you need to contribute to intelligence operations. And you’ll learn from some dedicated colleagues across the intelligence community, Whitehall and foreign services. We work in a collaborative environment; we’re proud to be a welcoming organisation where teamwork is key. From a range of growing affinity groups to social events throughout the year, you’ll engage with people from all walks of life. We all share the same purpose – to keep our country safe, secure and prosperous.

Find out more about diversity at SIS

 

To succeed as an Intelligence Officer (IO), you’ll need some key attributes. You’ll have first-class interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, mental sharpness and a keenness to contribute to the UK’s safety and prosperity. As for training – we’ll provide that. Whether it’s foreign languages, technology, management or another area, you’ll develop your abilities from day one. And you’ll do it alongside some of the best IOs we have.

You don’t have to speak another language or be a whizz with tech, but if you are interested and want to learn, we can teach you. With your genuine curiosity about the world, you’ll hit the ground running (either in the UK or overseas) following an initial training course.

There are four roles within the IO umbrella, and successful applicants will typically do all four during their career, either in the UK and/or overseas.

  • Operational Managers, who plan and manage intelligence collection operations.
  • Targeters are charged with turning information, such as data, into human intelligence operations.
  • Reporting Officers link us to Whitehall and are responsible for validating and testing intelligence.
  • Case Officers are the people managing and building relationships with agents.

More Information

We are keen to identify motivated individuals, with an interest in both data analytics and people, to play a vital role supporting our high priority work. Our SIS operational data analysts turn raw data into meaningful insights that help us to keep our country safe and prosperous.

We make a considerable investment in developing the skills of our operational data analysts. You will join a diverse, skillful community of like-minded individuals to complete a 2 year training programme.

Successful candidates are graduates passionate about data, technically savvy, enjoy making connections and discovering trends. They are curious and like to solve puzzles. They are willing to share, work collaboratively and with creativity. Above all, their interpersonal skills are just as important.

More Information

We are looking for experienced industry and corporate professionals with 5 - 10 years' experience in people-facing roles. If you are interested in different cultures, have established language skills, and welcome the prospect of travel and living overseas - then we have a number of exciting roles that may suit you.

We need people who are proactive, resilient and have a creative approach to their work, along with experience of building and maintaining successful relationships.

Software Engineers

We have a small number of opportunities for full-stack engineers who have experience working across the full software-development lifecycle.

We are particularly interested in engineers with skills in: GoLang, gRPC, Protobuf, Kubernetes & Docker Python, Java, C#, C, C++, and React (+Redux).

Please note these roles are distinct from other roles on the SIS website. If you are interested in these roles, please do not apply to any others on the website - or disclose your application to others.

All applicants must be British passport holders.

We particularly welcome applications from women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

To be considered, please send a CV and descriptive covering letter detailing your motivations for applying to:

Recruitment Department, PO Box 73517, London, W12 2FB

Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Eligibility



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.

Drug use

We have a strict no drugs policy which prohibits the use, possession or supply of illegal drugs, including the use of drugs that are illegal in the UK but are legal in some other countries. Misuse or abuse of prescribed medication or any other substance is also incompatible with holding security clearance, which can be refused or withdrawn if this policy is not observed, so you must adhere to our policy from the point of application onwards. 

The point of application is the date you submit your application form.

You will be required to undergo a drug test during the application process.

  

Security clearance

When you join SIS, you’ll be given clearance relevant to your role. Some of our positions mean you’ll have access to a wide range of sensitive information. It’s paramount for the safety of our organisation, our people and our country, that this information doesn’t get into the wrong hands. Because of this, you’ll have to pass our security clearance to the appropriate level. It’s a long process, taking up to three months in most cases. And it takes a very fair, in-depth and pretty intrusive look at your life, including your finances. So it’s important to be aware of this commitment before you apply, and be completely open and honest when you answer our security questions. If any details are concealed, your application can’t be taken forward.



Apply now