About the job

Job summary

The Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) primarily supports the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and the National Security Council, the Prime Minister and other key decision-makers by providing authoritative, robust all-source intelligence assessment on a vast range of national security and foreign policy priorities.

Our work covers, and goes beyond, ‘traditional’ national security topics such as geopolitical issues and threats to British interests. We apply a national security lens to issues such as emerging technology, economic and health security, climate change and horizon scanning (for example, identifying and monitoring countries at risk of instability).

You and your team will produce all-source strategic assessments that help to inform a range of policy decisions. Working closely with other experts across HMG, JIO’s role is to present a single, agreed view on HMG priority issues, as well as writing intelligence highlights for the Prime Minister.

Funded by Defence Nuclear Organisation, the newly established Deterrence team are focussed on understanding adversary actions and intent in order to inform the most senior decision makers on cross-government policy.  We provide intelligence support to the Defence Nuclear Organisation in formulation of policy and plans surrounding the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

In JIO, we believe your unique experiences, view and understanding of the world could provide a vital perspective and contribution to our work. We recognise that great minds do not think alike and are striving to increase our diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire, train and promote people based on merit and inspire to create an inclusive workplace free of discrimination.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

On a daily basis you will need to consider the latest intelligence at the highest classifications, decide what is of critical, urgent interest to the nation’s leaders and provide summaries.  Deliver a range of products for a range of customers at a range of timescales.  You will need to consider all the relevant data and the impact of those reports and include them in your assessments.  Input into cross-governmental understanding in aid of policy generation.  International engagement with the US, Europe and ‘five eyes’ countries on intelligence assessment and issues.

Flexible and condensed working patterns can be considered for this post but due to security constraints the role is not suitable for hybrid working. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• You need to be a proactive self-starter;
• have a desire to learn, we will invest in you to develop your skills and expertise, training will be provided within the probationary period;
• have experience in gathering and analysing information from diverse sources;
• be organised, able to work across several different work strands at any given time;
• have excellent interpersonal skills and be a team player, able to develop and manage close working relationships with colleagues across organisational boundaries;
• have strong written and oral communication skills.

Experience of assessment work using structured analytical techniques and methodologies, deterrence issues or behavioural change is an advantage but not essential.

We invest in upskilling our team members to enable them to thrive once they start working with us. As such, if you don’t quite match these desirable skills, don’t let it put you off applying as we will equip the successful candidate with them once you are in post. The application process will seek to gauge potential just as much as current performance. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown. Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours and Experience sections requested in the appropriate competency style. You have 250 words to answer each Behaviour.

*Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or interview* 

This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached documents.

At Sift, you will be assessed on;

• CV – to include job history and full details of education and qualifications. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

• Personal Statement – which should be a maximum of 500 words and sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential/desirable requirements for the role

• Behaviours:
• Working Together 
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

If a large number of applications are received, then the initial sift will be based on the Personal Statement only.

At Interview, you will be assessed on; 

• Behaviours:
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Experience

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in one of the advertised posts may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit. 

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.