At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse intelligence data and provide rapid responses to critical investigations.
- Company: Join MI5, the UK's security agency, dedicated to keeping the nation safe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary with shift allowances, regular days off, and personal development time.
- Other info: Dynamic role with rotating shifts; must commute to West London.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in national security while developing a long-term career.
- Qualifications: 2:2 degree or equivalent experience in analysis; strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 41843 - 41843 £ per year.
Location: West London
Salary: £41,843 per annum. Following the successful completion of your training, you’ll also be eligible for a Shift Disturbance Allowance of up to £8,085 per year and a Weekend Premium of £4,495 per year.
Flexible working: this is a full-time role with shift patterns involving a rotating pattern of early, late and night shifts, including weekends. Due to the nature of this role, flexible, home or remote working isn’t possible.
About us: MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
About the role: Those who seek to do us harm don’t work 9am to 5pm, so neither do we. As an Intelligence Operations Analyst, you’ll analyse data and intelligence and provide a rapid response to teams working around the clock. Working in shifts alongside an expert team, you’ll assess a range of intelligence including audio files, images, written communications and large data sets. The insights and connections you and your team provide could lead to major turning points in live investigations.
This role is designed to provide a strong foundation for a long‑term career in intelligence analysis. Upon joining, you’ll undertake a three-month training period combining classroom learning with practical experience alongside experienced operational analysis teams. You’ll then join the analyst team for an initial three-year placement. Your rotating shift pattern will involve a mix of earlies, lates and nights, including weekends. You’ll receive regular days off throughout your shift cycle, including extended periods away from work, plus dedicated personal development time. Please note, you’ll need to be able to commute to West London and be ready to start work promptly for early shifts.
You might be a final year undergraduate or a recent graduate, returning to work after a break, looking for a career change or simply a new challenge. To apply, you'll have, or be expected to obtain by September 2027, a 2:2 degree or above, in any subject or at least one year's full-time work experience using the core skills needed for analysis. Specific analyst experience isn’t required, but you should be able to demonstrate an ability to analyse information, data, evidence or trends.
Collaborative and comfortable working under pressure, you’ll enjoy solving problems and puzzles and be a confident communicator. Due to the fact the role involves listening to audio files, you’ll be required to complete a hearing test as part of the application process. If you wear hearing aids, you’ll be able to complete the test using them.
Before you register: Due to the sensitive nature of our work, there are some eligibility criteria you’ll need to meet (as well as some recommendations we’d make to aid your registration and any future application). You will need to:
- be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality.
- if successful at the end of the recruitment process, undergo Developed Vetting and comply with our no drugs policy.
- familiarise yourself with our guidance on the use of artificial intelligence tools in applications.
- complete your registration, application and all recruitment processes from within the UK.
This role is based in West London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider the financial and practical implications before applying. Remote or home working is not possible due to the secure nature of our work.
We recommend using a different email address (without identifying details) for your contact with us. This will help keep your personal and application correspondence separate and more secure. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
We welcome applications from all eligible candidates.
Intelligence Operations Analyst Registration of Interest in London employer: MI5
At GCHQ, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. As part of the National Cyber Security Centre, you will have the unique opportunity to work alongside leading experts in cyber security, contributing to vital national missions while enjoying extensive professional development opportunities. Our commitment to employee growth, coupled with the chance to engage with cutting-edge technology, makes GCHQ a truly rewarding place to advance your career in AI and cyber security.
