Since 1909, the Security Service has been responsible for protecting the country against covertly organised threats to national security. These include terrorism, espionage and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In addition they provide security advice to a range of other organisations, helping them reduce their vulnerability to the threats. The Service has played a vital but necessarily secret role over the past century in countering the activities of terrorists and spies.
We offer a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork. Our offices are characterised by a collaborative environment; staff are on first-name terms with one another and there are exceptional levels of trust and respect amongst colleagues. Making sure that we reward our staff and express our appreciation for their efforts is an important part of our success. Your contribution will be recognised formally each year through our performance-related appraisal system. We also have a merit award system, which is not linked to pay, to recognise a special contribution by an individual or team.
Times change, and so do the threats we face. Consequently, changes in our working methods and advances in the systems and tools we use happen continuously – so the training and development of our staff are always going to be critical. But it is not only about getting the job done. We are an Investors In People (IIP) accredited employer and we are committed to providing all of our staff with access to training and the opportunity to develop throughout their careers.
On joining, staff enter a structured induction programme provided by the Service's Academy. This programme is geared to the work they are to undertake. Beyond this, staff are actively encouraged to take advantage of the wide range of further development opportunities available. These include: Formal training courses (both internal and external); One-to-one mentoring; Management development programmes; Language training facilities; Open learning facilities and further education opportunities; Development days (activity or study away from the workplace which enhances a staff member’s ability to do his or her job).
There is a huge selection of careers on offer at MI5, calling for a diverse range of skills. Graduates from a variety of degree disciplines are encouraged to apply. Graduates joining the Agency commonly enter into one of the following roles:
Intelligence Officers – Many graduates join this generalist role. Typically, you would start by assessing or investigating threats to national security; over your career you would be involved in personnel, finance, management or operational work, ranging from implementing policies to dealing with agents.
Language Unit – Information being the company’s biggest resource, your work would involve listening to and translating a variety of communications in a particular language. Working with intelligence officers, you will use your own understanding of the political and cultural context to provide insight and assessment to support investigations.
Information Technology, Scientific and Technical Roles – as a member of the Agency’s professional and dedicated teams you will support the Service’s technical requirements in a number of disciplines. You will be working in a fast-paced environment where you will enjoy a varied and interesting career.