Data Collection Development Programme

Hours: Full-time for the initial 3-month training period, after which part-time, compressed hours and job share options may be considered. Remote/home working is not possible in this role., The Data Collection Development Programme is designed to give you all the skills you’ll need to use our unique systems to acquire vital data. Over the course of 18 months, you’ll do a mix of classroom-based and on-the-job training as you build on your existing interest in technology, work with cutting-edge tools – and identify data that underpins our intelligence missions.

You’ll join GCHQ as part of a cohort all starting together, and begin with 3 months of mainly classroom training. After this, you’ll move to a role with one of our data collection teams at your ‘home’ location, where you’ll follow a more specialised training path designed to give you the tools and techniques needed for your business area.

Using bespoke technologies you won’t find anywhere else, you’ll collect data and provide it to analysts working to prevent threats including terrorism, cyber-crime and serious crime. You’ll work across multiple data accesses to meet UK intelligence requirements, monitor and check data processing, and respond quickly to change. You’ll also bring new ideas and ways of working to our organisation – whether you’re using your newfound technical skills to find new solutions or streamlining our current processes. You’ll be encouraged to approach problems with an innovative mindset and use technology to automate as much of this as possible.

Please note that for the first 3 months, you’ll be required to travel to Cheltenham and other locations regularly, for 2-5 nights at a time. We’ll provide accommodation, transport options and expenses to support you, and will always seek to arrange any training to a timetable that works for you and us. After the initial training, the travel commitment will be occasional and will depend on your ‘home’ team requirements and any further training needed.

You don’t need to have a technical background or any experience, as we’ll teach you everything you’ll need to know. However, you will have maths and English language qualifications at GCSE grade C/4 or above, or an equivalent qualification. You might be a puzzle solver, a coder, or simply fascinated by what technology can do. The important thing is that you’re genuinely curious and interested in technology, and willing to take that interest further.

As you’ll spend a lot of time working with others, you’ll be someone who enjoys collaborating, sharing insights and learning from different people. And, you’ll be comfortable taking on technical information and putting it into practice. With a proactive approach to problem solving, you’ll be keen to put your knowledge and skills to use in an environment that welcomes fresh ideas and new ways of thinking., GCHQ 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 (in order of application process) are:

• Demonstrate motivation for the role and a commitment to training/self-development – assessed in the application form sift

• A minimum of 2 GCSEs Grade 4 (C) or above in maths and English language or equivalent

The development programme covers a variety of areas across our data collection processes and techniques. Once you’ve completed the classroom training, you’ll move into a permanent team where you’ll learn on-the-job, working alongside more experienced colleagues and putting your newfound skills into practice.

Throughout the programme, you’ll have the support of your line manager, colleagues and cohort. You’ll never be left on your own or expected to work in silo; there’ll always be people around to go to if you need help, guidance or advice.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £25,856 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 (travel and parking)

• 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.

https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/life-at-gchq/diversity-inclusion.html