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 your language skills will contribute to national security. This role involves analyzing Chechen materials and providing insights to support intelligence operations. Comprehensive training and development opportunities are available, along with a supportive work environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Recognition schemes

Development Budget

Flexible working

Interest-free season ticket loan

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site facilities

Paid parental leave

Qualifications

• Proficient in Chechen across all skills at C1 level.
• No prior experience or qualifications required.

Responsibilities

• Analyze material in Chechen and provide insights.
• Support high-value activities for national security.

Skills

Chechen

English

Analytical

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. You’ll contribute to vital missions, delivering impact at the heart of national security within a supportive and inclusive environment.

The Role

If you have a passion for languages, working as a language specialist for the UK intelligence agencies offers 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—your knowledge of Chechen, Russian culture, ideology, and politics will be highly valuable.

The role involves analyzing material in Chechen, providing insights to analysts, investigators, and operational teams. You’ll work independently, prioritize tasks, and communicate with stakeholders. Your cultural knowledge will help identify nuances and extract key information from spoken and written materials, contextualizing it for others. Support for language technology tools and AI may be required, with full training provided. Interpretation skills may also be needed. Working under pressure is possible, but full support will be available. Collaboration within teams and across organizations, using language technology to piece together intelligence, is essential. You’ll engage in individual and group projects, mentoring, and skill development, with opportunities for learning and growth.

Note: All MI5 contracts include a mobility clause, which may require serving away from your usual place of work for periods of duty or training.

About You

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

At C1 level, you can understand demanding texts and conversations, express ideas fluently, use the language effectively in various contexts, and produce detailed texts on complex topics. GCHQ evaluates passive skills to the C1 level in reading and listening; 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, analytical, 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 ways of working. Training will cover tools, the role, and context. MI5 offers language maintenance classes and immersion sessions; internal courses and funding for language qualifications are available. GCHQ provides similar support, encouraging pursuit of interests like management or analytical skills, with funding for qualifications such as CertTrans and DipTrans.

Rewards and Benefits

MI5 offers a starting salary of £39,152, with potential language allowances. GCHQ offers a starting salary of £36,408, plus £3,120 after six months. Benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years, plus 10.5 days of public holidays
• Recognition schemes
• Development Budget (MI5)
• Flexible working
• Interest-free season ticket loan (GCHQ)
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site facilities
• Paid parental and adoption leave

Equal Opportunities

Diversity and inclusion are central to our mission. We seek a workforce reflecting society, welcoming applications from underrepresented groups, including women, ethnic minorities, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals. More info on our websites:

https://www.MI5.gov.uk/careers/working-at-MI5/diversity

https://www.GCHQ-careers.co.uk/life-at-GCHQ/diversity-inclusion.html

Disability Confidence

We are a Leader within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme, committed to fair recruitment and support for disabled candidates. To qualify for an interview, demonstrate motivation for UK intelligence work and pass the Chechen language test.

What to Expect

Our process is transparent and merit-based, involving:

• Application and eligibility review
• Language tests in London
• Interview and assessment centre (London or Cheltenham)

You may need to undergo a hearing test. Passing all stages is necessary. The process may take 9-12 months, including vetting. Travel expenses are not reimbursed. All contracts include a mobility clause, and applicants should only apply from within the UK.

Before You Apply

You must be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Full eligibility criteria are available online:

https://www.MI5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs

https://www.GCHQ-careers.co.uk/how-to-apply.html

The role requires Developed Vetting security clearance. More info here:

https://www.MI5.gov.uk/careers/applying-for-jobs/vetting

https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/how-to-apply.html

Applicants should consider their relocation options, as MI5 is based in London and GCHQ in Cheltenham. Only apply from within the UK and keep application details confidential.