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 expertise in Chechen and understanding of Russian culture will play a crucial role in national security. This position offers opportunities for personal growth, training, and collaboration within a supportive environment. You'll analyze materials, support intelligence efforts, and contribute significantly to safeguarding the UK.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Development budget

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Writing, speaking, reading, and listening skills in Chechen.
• Excellent written English.
• Good knowledge of Russian culture, history, religion, and politics.

Responsibilities

• Analyze material in Chechen and provide insights.
• Support key stakeholders with language expertise.
• Collaborate with mission and language teams.

Skills

Chechen

English

Russian culture knowledge

Education

C1 level in Chechen

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 help keep the country safe. We’re looking for Chechen linguists for a role that goes beyond translation and transcription; this role involves more than words. Your knowledge of Chechen, as well as your understanding of Russian culture, ideology, and politics, will be a significant asset in safeguarding the UK.

As a linguist specializing in Chechen, your role involves analyzing material in this language, providing insights to support analysts, investigators, and operational teams. You’ll work autonomously, prioritize tasks, and communicate with key stakeholders. With an adept knowledge of Chechen and surrounding culture, you’ll identify nuances, seek out key information from spoken and written materials, contextualize it, and make it accessible to others. There may be a requirement to support language technology tools and AI in this language. Interpretation might also be necessary, with full training provided. Working under pressure at times will be required, but full support from managers and other linguists will be available. Your contributions as a subject matter expert will be highly valued. Collaboration across mission and language teams is essential, using language technology to piece together intelligence and support informed decisions. You’ll engage in individual work and group projects, with opportunities for mentoring, forming working groups, and enhancing your analytical, reporting, or technical skills. This role offers significant opportunities for learning, development, and knowledge sharing.

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
You don’t need experience or qualifications to be a Chechen Language Specialist. However, you must have writing, speaking, reading, and listening skills in Chechen, 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 on the CEFR framework or equivalent) in Chechen.

At C1 level or higher, you can:
• Understand a wide range of demanding texts and conversations.
• Express ideas fluently.
• Use the language effectively in social, academic, or professional contexts.
• Create well-structured, detailed 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. You can access the CEFR self-assessment grid for more info.

Your proficiency could come from growing up in a multilingual family, military language training, or academic study of Chechen. You should be inquisitive, curious, a keen problem-solver, and analytical. You’ll enjoy working with others, be confident in verbal and written communication, and take pride in your insights.

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

Training and Development
You’ll receive a thorough induction on our tools, methods, and ways of working. Comprehensive training will be provided to help you excel. Initial training covers tools, context, and job specifics.

At MI5, you’ll have access to language maintenance classes, immersion sessions, and internal courses, with support for language qualifications. GCHQ offers similar support, encouraging you to pursue interests in management, analytical skills, or deep language skills, with funding for qualifications like CertTrans and DipTrans.

Both agencies support your growth and knowledge sharing.

Rewards and Benefits
At MI5, starting salary is £39,152, with potential language allowances. GCHQ offers a starting salary of £36,408, plus £3,120 after six months, recognizing language skills.

Additional benefits include:
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years, plus 10.5 days of public/privilege holidays.
• Employee performance recognition.
• Development budget (MI5).
• Flexible working options.
• Interest-free season ticket loan (GCHQ).
• Pension scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Facilities like gym, restaurant, coffee bars.
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

Equal Opportunities
Diversity and inclusion are vital to our mission. We seek a workforce reflecting society, including diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking, and disabilities. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups, including women, ethnic minorities, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals.

Learn more about our culture and commitment to diversity 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 proud to be a Leader within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. We aim to offer fair interview opportunities to disabled candidates meeting essential criteria, through our ‘Offer of Interview’ (OOI). To qualify, demonstrate motivation and pass the Chechen language tests during application.

What to Expect
Our recruitment process is merit-based and transparent, comprising:
• Application and eligibility sift
• In-person language tests in London
• Interview and assessment centre (London or Cheltenham)

A hearing test may also be required. You must pass each stage to proceed. The process may take 9-12 months, including vetting. Continue current employment until final offer. Travel expenses are not reimbursed. All contracts include a mobility clause, so you could be required to serve away from your usual location periodically.

Before You Apply
Applicants must be British citizens or hold dual British nationality. Full eligibility criteria are available at:

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

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

This role requires Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. More info is available at:

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

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

Applicants should not discuss their application outside close contacts and should consider travel and relocation implications. Only apply from within the UK; overseas applications are not accepted.