Chechen Language Specialist Ref. 3482

MI5; London; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Join MI5 as a Chechen Language Specialist, where you'll play a crucial role in national security by analyzing language material and providing insights. This role requires a passion for languages and offers comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside competitive salaries and benefits.

Benefits

25-30 days annual leave

performance recognition

development budgets

flexible working

pension schemes

Qualifications

• No experience required, but proficiency in Chechen and English is essential.
• Must understand Russian culture, history, and politics.

Responsibilities

• Analyze Chechen language material and provide insights.
• Support language technology tools and interpretation.

Skills

Chechen

English

Russian culture

Education

C1 level proficiency

Job description

Job description

Flexible Working: Full-time, part-time, and compressed hours are possible. Please note, the MI5 role is office-based only. At GCHQ, home working is available up to one day per week, but beyond that, it is an office-based role. Remote working from another location is not initially available but may be possible after 18-24 months, at which point you may have the opportunity to work from any of our GCHQ offices in Cheltenham, London, or Manchester.

Your knowledge of Chechen could unlock a career in intelligence. By joining MI5 or GCHQ, you can play your part in protecting the UK.

About Us
MI5 and GCHQ are part of the UK’s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from threats at home, overseas, and online, including cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organized crime. Working across our vital missions, you’ll deliver impact at the heart of national security within a supportive and inclusive environment that allows everyone to thrive.

The Role
If you have a passion for languages, working as a language specialist for the UK intelligence agencies presents a unique opportunity. You’ll support high-value activities that keep the country safe. We’re looking for Chechen linguists for a role that involves more than translation and transcription — it’s about understanding language nuances, culture, ideology, and politics to aid national security.

The role involves analyzing Chechen language material, providing insights to analysts, investigators, and operational teams. You’ll work autonomously, prioritize tasks, communicate with stakeholders, and identify key information from spoken and written sources. Support for language technology tools and interpretation (full training provided) may be required. Working under pressure is expected at times, but full support from managers and colleagues will be available. Collaboration across teams, using language technology, and contributing as a subject matter expert are key components of this role. You’ll engage in individual and group projects, mentorship, and skill development opportunities.

Please note, all MI5 contracts include a mobility clause, meaning you could be liable to serve away from your usual place of work for periods of detached duty or training.

About You
No experience or qualifications are required to become a Chechen Language Specialist. However, you must have proficient language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), excellent written English, and a good knowledge of Russian culture, history, religion, and politics. You should be passionate about the language and proficient at C1 level or equivalent (see CEFR framework).

At C1 level or higher, you can:
• Understand demanding texts and conversations
• Express ideas fluently
• Use the language effectively in social, academic, or professional contexts
• Produce detailed, well-structured texts on complex topics

GCHQ evaluates passive skills to the equivalent of C1 in reading and listening, while MI5 requires C1 or equivalent across all four skills. Your proficiency could come from growing up in a multilingual family, military language training, or academic study. You should be inquisitive, curious, a problem-solver, confident in communication, and proud of your insights.

During the interview, you’ll need to pass a language proficiency test involving reading, translating, listening, and interpreting. Results will be considered alongside role requirements. Travel expenses are not reimbursed.

Training and Development
Upon joining, you’ll receive comprehensive induction on tools, methods, and procedures. Ongoing training includes language maintenance classes, immersion sessions, internal courses, and support for language qualifications like CertTrans and DipTrans, funded by GCHQ or MI5. You’ll have opportunities to develop your skills and explore new areas within the agencies.

Rewards and Benefits
Starting salaries are £39,152 for MI5 and £36,408 for GCHQ, with additional language allowances and benefits such as 25-30 days annual leave, public holidays, performance recognition, development budgets, flexible working, travel loans, pension schemes, cycling schemes, on-site facilities, and parental leave.

Equal Opportunities
Diversity and inclusion are central to our mission. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals. Details on our diversity initiatives are available on our websites.

We’re Disability Confident
As a Leader within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme, we aim to provide fair interview opportunities for disabled candidates who meet essential criteria.

What to Expect
Our recruitment process is merit-based and transparent, involving application screening, language tests in London, and in-person interviews/assessment centers in London or Cheltenham. A hearing test may be required. The process may take 9-12 months, including vetting, and travel expenses are not covered. All contracts include a mobility clause, and applicants should only apply from within the UK, considering practical and financial implications.

Before You Apply
Applicants must be British citizens or hold dual British nationality. Full eligibility criteria and application instructions are available on our websites. The role requires Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance, with more information available online. We have a strict drugs policy, and applicants must declare previous drug use. We recommend creating a separate, anonymous email account for application correspondence. MI5 roles are based in London, and GCHQ roles in Cheltenham; applicants should consider relocation and practicalities before applying. Only applications from within the UK are accepted to ensure process viability.

Right to Withdraw Statement
We reserve the right to close the application process early once sufficient applications are received. Early application is advised.