You’ll have the ability to explain complex employment law matters clearly and simply to those without a legal background. With a pragmatic approach to problems, you’ll think creatively to find solutions, both independently and as part of our small, collaborative team. Proactive and conscientious, you’ll be adept at handling complex and sensitive queries with credibility and build relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

Training and development

Upon joining, you’ll receive an initial induction as well as on-the-job training. Your manager will provide feedback, guidance and support via regular catchups, and you’ll be surrounded by a small, welcoming team who can provide additional help and advice as you settle in.

Plus, you’ll have access to courses in our internal training academy, giving you the chance to further your professional development and gain wider support in a collegiate environment. You’ll be encouraged to take responsibility for your own training and development, as you seek to identify and take advantage of opportunities appropriate to your own goals and needs. We’ll provide you with a dedicated development budget to support you in doing this.

Rewards and benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £86,779 to £96,097 (depending on experience) plus other benefits including:

• 25 days of annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• a dedicated development budget
• an interest-free season ticket loan
• an excellent pension scheme
• a cycle to work scheme
• facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars
• paid parental and adoption leave

What to expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

• Initial online application.
• Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) in which you rate the appropriateness of responses to a series of short scenarios.
• Full online application.
• Application sift which looks at your evidence against the essential criteria above and motivation for the role and the organisation.
• If successful, you will receive an invitation to attend an in-person competency-based interview.
• If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment subject to vetting.

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 to 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Before you apply

To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about our eligibility criteria.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. Find out more about the vetting process.

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practice and will help you to manage your application with us more securely.

The role is based in Central London, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application.

We offer reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for candidates attending in‑person appointments during the recruitment and vetting process. Full details will be provided with your interview or assessment invitation.

Reimbursement is discretionary and will only be made in line with the Candidate Expenses Policy, as amended from time to time. Candidates must book their own travel, using the most economical option, and provide original hardcopy receipts for reimbursement.

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

Right to close applications early

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close applications once a certain number have been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out. If you have a disability (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) and need additional time to complete your application, please submit your initial application. Then, contact us via the email provided as soon as possible, using the subject line "Reasonable adjustments extension" and briefly outline the support you require.