Operational Lawyer

Salary: London: £75,861 Central Manchester: £69,611

Flexible Working: This is a full-time role, however applications for flexible working (e.g. compressed hours or part-time at a minimum of 25 hours per week) or a job-share are welcome. Due to the classification and nature of the work, this role will be primarily performed in the office, however limited home working may be possible.

About Us: GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

The Role: We are looking for a qualified lawyer to join our Legal Directorate, where you’ll advise on many of the highest profile and most sensitive matters across the organisation. Our various legal teams advise on a wide range of GCHQ’s operational activity. This includes intelligence gathering and sharing, data handling, cyber effects, international partnerships, compliance and related litigation. It’s fast-paced, unique work, often at the cutting edge of developments in both law and technology.

Your role as an Operational Lawyer will involve, but is not limited to:

• Working closely with colleagues in the Legal Directorate, who bring expertise across all areas of law which apply to GCHQ’s operations.
• Supporting colleagues in GCHQ’s intelligence and effects missions, delivering user-friendly, risk-based advice.
• Advising on the application of GCHQ’s domestic legal framework as well as consideration of wider issues of domestic and international law.
• Collaborating with partners across the UK Intelligence Community and the wider national security legal community to support Government foreign policy, security and operational objectives.
• Potential line management responsibilities in the future (following promotion).

The role can be based in London or Central Manchester. Occasional travel will be required to effectively advise colleagues across our different sites. This will always accommodate business need as well as work-life balance. Infrequent travel overseas may be required.

About You: To be successful, you’ll need to be qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister/advocate in England and Wales. You should also have at least two years’ PQE in two or more of the following areas:

• Investigatory powers law.
• International law.
• Human rights law.
• Criminal law.
• Public law.
• Data law.

You’ll have excellent powers of analysis, use of evidence, and appreciation of legal risk. The ability to think creatively about legal problems and give practical, risk-based advice in a readily accessible way. You’ll be a motivated individual, able to pick up new areas of law at speed, prioritise effectively and work well under pressure. You’ll also be confident forging new client relationships as well as building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of people.

Knowledge and experience of the UK’s national security legal framework and a basic or deeper knowledge of GCHQ’s legal framework would be beneficial but is not essential.

Training and Development: As well as an induction into the organisation, you’ll also take part in an induction course put together and run by colleagues in our Legal Directorate. We have an expert skills community dedicated to supporting you and from day one you’ll be allocated a buddy and a Line Manager, who’ll help you settle in. We’re committed to developing our staff and recognise this will look different for everyone.

Rewards and Benefits: You’ll receive a starting salary of £75,861 in London or, £69,611 in Central Manchester. 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.
• 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 (at some locations).
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal Opportunities: At GCHQ 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.

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

• Application sift, looking at your suitability for the role.
• Online interview.
• If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before You Apply: To work at GCHQ, 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.