Applications for this job are now closed
At MI5, technology plays a crucial and increasingly frontline role in safeguarding our nation from terrorism, espionage and cyber-attacks. Our Technology Graduate Development Programme (TGDP) offers you the unique opportunity to apply and develop your skills in this vital area of work. You will be working in a face paced and supportive environment and you will use some of the most advanced technology around.
This structured two year development programme will give you essential skills training, access to the core mission areas and the ability to shape the future of our technology to achieve our mission.
We are looking for trailblazers who would like to embark on an adventure where we re-imagine the way we work. Whether you have a specific skill set or are looking to try something new, we want you to join us on this journey. The must-have skills include a positive attitude to change and enthusiasm to learn. As the world moves to a new way of working we are keen to find individuals who are up for the challenge to try something different and who are confident in their ideas and beliefs. If you’re up for trying something new and making a difference, join us in making the country a safer place for everyone.
The two roles currently available are:
- Covert Technical Operations Specialist (CTOS)
- Information Architect
Please see below for further information. We are aiming for successful applicants to start the programme in September or October 2021.
Information Architecture
Upon Joining our Information Architecture team, you will develop your skills in data modelling and problem solving to help to solve the data and technology problems of tomorrow. You will work with a range of people from MI5, and other intelligence agencies to deal with some of the intelligence community’s most strategic issues.
Training and Career Development
MI5 is a unique and stimulating place to work and we will ensure that you have all the ongoing support and development you need to build a rewarding and successful career with us. During the programme, you’ll receive a combination of extensive on the job and more formal training. You will follow a training pathway specific to your steam and you’ll train alongside other members on the Technology Graduate Development Programme.
Examples of training courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Communicating and Presenting with Impact
- Influencing with Integrity
- Practical Strategic Planning
Examples of funded training include:
- APM Introductory or PRINCE 2 (Foundation and Practitioner)
- ITIL
In addition, further external and accredited training and qualifications will be funded by the organisation to support your future career with us. You’ll also have an opportunity to continually develop your personal and leadership skills. Our training programme is designed to enable you to meet your potential as an innovative IT professional, and equip you with the skills and ability to manage and lead in different areas of the IT department in the future. Your development doesn’t stop at the end of the programme, it continues in your subsequent roles, MI5 will fund relevant additional training that will enable you to complete or further advance your professional qualifications and career aspirations.
We offer a supportive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork. We also place great importance on our staff maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The Person
To join the Technology Graduate Development Programme, you will have a passion for technology and have (or be expecting) a 2:2 by September 2021. To join our Information Architects, that degree can be in any discipline.
The nature of our technical work means you will need to be an articulate communicator with the ability to build strong working relationships with people at every level in MI5. With strong analytical skills and the confidence to challenge conventional thinking, you will combine honesty and resilience with sound judgement and the ability to take responsibility for your work.
Recruitment Process
The first thing we will ask you to do is complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do, we will then ask you to begin an application. To do this you will need to create a login by providing your full name, email address and a memorable password. You will then be asked to complete a basic application form and equal opportunities monitoring information.
If you pass this we will invite you to complete and submit our full application form. The application form consists of basic eligibility questions, sections for you to list your qualifications and work experience, as well as competency questions. It will explore your motivation to work for MI5 and in particular why you want to join the Development Programme. Our recruitment team will then conduct an application sift.
Successful applicants will be invited to sit a video interview or a technical test depending on the role you have applied for. The video interview will primarily be competency based and will require you to give specific examples of when you have demonstrated abilities or behaviours required to be successful in our programme. The technical test is designed to test your technical aptitude.
Assuming you pass this stage, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre. We aim to be running assessment centres between March and April 2021. If you successfully pass the final recruitment stage, you will be made a conditional offer of employment. These are made on the condition that you pass the Developed Vetting (DV) stages of the process, which will include a security interview with one of our vetting officers.
You should read about the vetting process and satisfy yourself that you meet the criteria outlined in the vetting pages of the ‘Applying for Jobs’ section prior to submitting an application. Giving misleading information or omitting or concealing information during the recruitment and vetting process is viewed very seriously. You should ensure that you follow our guidance from when you apply. Find out more about the vetting process here.
The recruitment and vetting process can take up to nine months to complete. If you are in the final year of your studies we advise you to apply now. Once all vetting enquiries have been completed and DV clearance has been granted, we will be in a position to make final offers of employment to candidates and agree start dates. Candidates will be joining in September or October 2021.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen and one of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for 7 out of the last 10 years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You will nonetheless be considered if you have, for example, served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty's Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents. You can apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday.
Equal Opportunities
The UK Intelligence Agencies / MI5 / MI6 / GCHQ are Equal Opportunities employers, committed to reflecting the society we protect. Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and based on merit. We particularly welcome applications from diverse and under-represented groups.
Offer of Interview
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. This is known as Offer an Interview.
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful on this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
