London

I spy a new job

Intelligence Officer, MI5
Qualifications 2:1 degree or above and five years’ permanent work experience.
Starting wage £22K plus ‘benefits’.
Duties Assessing or investigating threats to national security – including listening to tapped phone conversations and taking part in surveillance operations.
Details There’s a test, an application form, telephone interview, a one-to-one interview, a one-day assessment and a final selection board – so no getting up to anything dodgy or fleeing the country while all this is going on. The process takes between six and nine months.
Perks Subsidised restaurant, squash courts and gym. Good pension, maternity and paternity leave, training and development opportunities, 25 days annual leave, interest-free season ticket loans, and performance-related annual salary increases.
Apply At www.mi5careers.co.uk Feature continues

Operational Officer, MI6
Qualifications Degree-level education, a history of personal achievement, experience of independent travel and a demonstrable commitment to public service.
Starting wage Unknown – but not as much as you think. Agents have left to double their salaries at private security firms.
Duties Planning and executing covert operations abroad and gathering intelligence the government needs to promote and defend UK interests. So, spying then.
Details It’s tough. You will have to suffer a thorough and intrusive medical and security clearance, including drugs testing, so if you’ve had a cheeky jazz-fag in the past few months, forget it. Plus it’s highly likely your personal and family background, including your credit-worthiness will be looked into.
Perks Foreign travel, good pension, healthcare scheme, 25 days holiday, interest-free season ticket loan, staff restaurant and gym and childcare vouchers.
Apply At www.mi6.gov.uk.