Secret Intelligence Service in Harrow

About Us

We are SIS. Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role at SIS will see you providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

About The Role

Our Technical Operations Officers work on behalf of the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) and His Majesty's Government (HMG), using our specialist skills to source vital intelligence that protects the country, and the people we care about. We’re a highly trained, and motivated team with diverse skill sets, looking for Technical Operations Officers to bring their own unique knowledge and experience to the role.

As part of our team, you will use a wide range of technical tools and skills to deliver intelligence that enables us to protect national security. Whatever your background, you’ll work alongside technical officers from a range of specialisms, including software development, computer network infrastructure, RF/telecommunication systems, information and cyber security technologies. Collaborating with different experts and departments, you’ll plan, manage and deliver technical operations in various locations around the world. Using your communication skills, you’ll be confident explaining complex information clearly to people without a technical background.

Every project at SIS is different, and the varied nature of our work means there’s never a dull day. This role is practical and hands-on, so you’ll be using your skills in the field to support our missions. You’ll be based in the UK, but there’ll be plenty of opportunities to work overseas – sometimes for extended periods, and at short notice. So, you’ll need to be dedicated, enthusiastic and willing to travel.

About You

We need people with diverse perspectives, experiences and skill sets at MI6, to help us succeed in our intelligence missions. We welcome candidates from a wide range of career and academic backgrounds to apply. This could include:

• Engineering, or a technical background in security, government, military or a similar type of role in the private sector, or have a relevant academic background: such as holding, or expecting to achieve by autumn 2023, a degree or equivalent qualification in a technology-related field, including computer science, computer security, software engineering, electronic or electrical engineering, digital forensics or another STEM subject.
• Those with relevant industry, academic or other knowledge and experience in engineering, electronics, operating systems and information, or cyber security.

We are looking for people with a proactive approach and the aptitude to competently handle demanding and time-sensitive tasks. You’ll also be able to make informed and timely decisions, behaving proactively in a variety of different situations, both independently and as part of a team. A keen problem-solver, you’ll be resilient and collaborative with a love of learning, keeping up to date with new technologies so you can develop continuously throughout your career.

Training & Development

Technologies advance at a rapid pace, so it’s vital for SIS to stay ahead of the game and set the pace in the race for emerging technology. That’s why you’ll receive the training to develop and maintain the right skills for the job, and broaden your knowledge across a wide spectrum of skills. Opportunities for ongoing training could focus on developing your leadership capability and building on your technical skills. Throughout your career, there’s a wide range of learning and development activities you’ll have access to, including opportunities that are broader than just your job role.

Our Foundation Technical Operations Officer Training Pathway sets a baseline for all new Technical Operations Officers. This pathway is both modular and flexible, and can be adapted to reflect your individual needs, skills, experience and expertise. The pathway lasts at least one year, helping you to integrate into your role in the team in a structured way. This will help prepare you to perform your best, as you learn within a supportive environment. You will receive mentoring from established Technical Operations Officers, who will share their knowledge and professional experiences to help you settle and grow into your new role. There are opportunities for progression throughout your career with us, both within the team and the wider organisation.

Rewards And Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £36,733, including London Weighting, plus other benefits including:

• 25 days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
• Flexible working arrangements, subject to business needs
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars.
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal Opportunities

At SIS, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website: We’re Disability Confident.

About SIS are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP's Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our 'Offer of Interview' (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria are:

• Ability to demonstrate an overall level of technical competence as well as sound motivations for the role (both will be assessed in the sift of completed Application Forms).

If you pass this, you will be invited to an assessment centre. This is your offer of interview.

What To Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

• If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be asked to complete a full application form which will include questions about your technical background and motivation for the role.
• If you pass the application form sift you will be invited to an assessment centre which will include competency and technical interviews, along with other assessments.

Before You Apply

To work at SIS you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage. The role is based in London (with overseas travel), so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance of London. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. A loan is available to support people relocating to London. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

Right To Withdraw Statement

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.