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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, making a real difference to UK national security.
In this exciting 11-week paid placement, starting in September 2024, you’ll use your Russian language skills and cultural knowledge to make a real impact. Each day, you’ll develop your understanding of language as you analyse, transcribe, and translate audio and written materials. Some of these may be technical or specialised, giving you a chance to master new skills in an exciting field.
Beyond language, you’ll also play a key role in providing your team with essential cultural context and work closely with customers and partners. Plus, there’s a unique opportunity for you to create intelligence reports. We’ll equip you with special tools to evaluate data and uncover valuable insights to present back to your team.
To qualify, you’ll either be in the final year of your undergraduate degree in Russian or have graduated in summer 2020 or later with a 2:2 grade or above. Regardless of your current situation, we’re looking for someone who’s talented, adaptable, and dedicated – always keen to use their language skills and eager to improve.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a technical background for this role – what matters most is your willingness to learn new skills, especially technical ones which will complement your language abilities.
From day one, we’ll be here to support you. You’ll receive comprehensive language and analysis training, hands-on learning, and a dedicated language mentor to enhance your Russian skills. Post-programme, you can apply for a permanent position with us as a Language Analyst, and if successful, you’ll join a vibrant community of specialists. But your journey won’t end there.
During your first five years as a Language Analyst, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for our Language Career Development Scheme. This scheme is designed to broaden and refine your language skills, giving you even more room to grow. You’ll also have the chance to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL) and earn recognised professional linguist qualifications.
To find out more and apply, visit our website.
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 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 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.
