Intelligence Officer Development Programme

Working Hours: 36 Hours a Week

Flexible Working: We are unable to offer flexible working during the course, however on completion there may be opportunities for part-time/compressed hours subject to business needs.

Shape your future. Protect what matters to you most.

At MI5, we’re proud to keep the country safe. From terrorist threats to espionage, we protect our national security. You can too when you join our Intelligence Officer Development Programme.

Whether you’ve just graduated or even if you’re thinking about changing careers, MI5’s Development Programme will give you the tools and training to become a brilliant Intelligence Officer at the heart of our important mission.

About our programme

On joining, your first post will teach you different aspects of the work you’ll be undertaking. You might find yourself in a key area such as: Policy, Warrantry, Legal Casework or Analysis. The timing and length of this post will be based on business need.

Once you’re ready, you’ll join the Investigative Skills Training (IST) Course. On successful completion of the course, as an accredited investigator you’ll be ready to take on your first core role within investigations, where you will spend a minimum of two years using and building on your new skills.

What you will need

To join, you’ll need to have (or be expecting) at least a 2:2 degree in any discipline, or have work experience where you have obtained the skills and qualities required for the role, which include good teamwork and collaboration skills, organised with a great eye for detail, naturally curious and a love of problem solving. You’ll also need a strategic approach with the ability to plan for different outcomes, be analytical and able to make links between different pieces of information. Honesty and integrity are also key qualities, as well as the desire to learn and grow.

What to expect at MI5

At MI5, you’ll find a friendly, welcoming environment where your insights and perspectives won’t just be encouraged – they’ll be invaluable. When you join us, you’ll enjoy an induction, your own mentor and lots of dedicated support. You’ll also be part of a vibrant community that’s totally dedicated to your development. Not only will you play a vital role in our operations, but you’ll be able to protect what matters to you most.

At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. 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.

To apply, please click here or use the 'Apply Now' link below!

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Full eligibility details can be found on our website.