Operational
Officers
Operational Officers are the front line of our espionage efforts. They come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have excellent interpersonal skills, an interest in foreign cultures and are motivated to make a positive difference by protecting and promoting the UK. They use everyday skills, such as communication and empathy, to tackle extraordinary challenges.
Intelligence operations are fundamentally about people. As an Operational Officer you will need to understand what motivates people, regardless of where they’re from, or what they do.
Operational Officers work closely with our data experts to find potential agents to assist SIS in its aims. They spend time building and managing relationships with people who could provide vital intelligence. Other officers will test, validate and present intelligence to our wide network of colleagues across government.
We seek to attract the very best talent the country has to offer into our Operational Officer team. Those who apply usually have some life experience and a degree or equivalent.
Operational Officers receive training throughout their career – be it in foreign languages, managing relationships, using technology or whatever they need, to do the variety of roles we have. That’s why we look for people with a passion for learning and personal development.
There are four roles within the Operational Officer umbrella, and successful applicants will typically do all four during their career, either in the UK and/or overseas.
- Operational Managers: plan and manage intelligence collection operations.
- Targeters are charged with turning information, such as data, into human intelligence operations.
- Our Officers link SIS into Whitehall and are responsible for validating and testing all the intelligence.
- Case Officers are the people building and managing relationships with agents.
What's it like
to be an
Application
Process
Join Us
SIS offers a wide range of fascinating and unique operational roles both overseas and in the UK. Find out more information about each role to see which best suits you.
Join us and you’ll have a stimulating, rewarding and varied career. You will receive training to give you the skills to contribute to impactful intelligence operations with an international dimension. You may be in the UK or abroad, working with colleagues in the intelligence community, Whitehall, foreign intelligence services and/or agents. Whatever role you’re tasked with, you will engage with people from all walks of life, as you gather the vital intelligence we need to keep our country safe, secure and prosperous.
Operational Officer
For over a century we have sought to attract the very best talent the country has to offer into our Operational Officer cadre. That doesn’t necessarily mean the cleverest people from the most prestigious universities – although it might – what we really look for is first-class interpersonal skills, a keenness to contribute to the UK’s safety and prosperity, mental sharpness, and a curiosity about the world. Many people have that mix of skills and we would like to hear from you. Operational Officers typically have some life experience under their belt and are able to hit the ground running (be it in the UK or overseas) following an initial training course.
Operational Officers receive training throughout their career – be it in foreign languages, managing relationships, using technology, management or whatever else they need to do the variety of roles we have. That’s why we look for people with an insatiable thirst for learning and development.
There are four roles within the Operational Officer umbrella, and successful applicants will typically do all four during their career, either in the UK and/or overseas.
- Operational Managers: plan and manage intelligence collection operations.
- Targeters are charged with turning information, such as data, into human intelligence operations.
- R Officers plug SIS into Whitehall and are responsible for validating and testing all the intelligence.
- Case Officers are the people building and managing relationships.
Operational Data Analysts
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.
Industry and Corporate Professionals
We have a small number of opportunities for experienced industry and corporate professionals with at least 8 years experience in people-facing roles. If you're looking for a new challenge, are open to change and learning new skills, we'd like to hear from you. We need people who are proactive, resilient and have a creative approach to their work, along with experience of building and maintaining discreet client relationships.
- Established language skills and overseas experience are desirable but not essential.
- Applicants must be British passport holders.
We particularly welcome applications from women and ethnic minorities.
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
To apply to SIS, you’ll need to be a British citizen and to have lived in the UK for the majority of the ten years before applying. However, there are a few exceptions to the residency rule. You may still be able to apply if you’ve studied abroad, served overseas with HM forces or lived overseas with your parents. One of your parents must also be (or have been) a British Citizen too, or have substantial ties to the UK. If you hold dual nationality, you can still apply, but you may be required to give up your non-British citizenship before joining.
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
