Location
Central London (MI5 roles), Cheltenham or Manchester (GCHQ roles)
Hours
Full Time - 36 to 37 hours per week for the duration of the 11-week programme. Specific hourly attendance required for training courses, with advance notice provided.
Salary
£7,059 for the 11-week programme (MI5). Successful candidates transitioning to a full-time role will receive a starting salary of £40,248. GCHQ roles offer £6,380 for the programme and a starting salary of £37,892 upon permanent appointment.
About the Role
The Language Talent Programme (LTP) is an 11-week, full-time, office-based programme designed to develop your skills as a Russian Language Specialist within the UK’s Intelligence Services, including MI5 and GCHQ. You will engage in a blend of dedicated training and real operational work, translating, interpreting, and analysing Russian language content to provide mission-critical insights.
The programme begins with a three-day induction introducing you to the organisation and your team. You will then split your time between supervised operational tasks and training, working with privileged intelligence materials to develop your language and analytical skills.
Beyond translation, you will learn to use specialised language tools, identify valuable insights, and may contribute to intelligence reports. You will also gain exposure to other teams to understand the broader impact of language work.
You will be supported throughout by experienced mentors and a senior linguist, helping you prepare for the language test and competency interview that form part of the assessment for a permanent role.
Please note that the programme locations are Cheltenham or Manchester for GCHQ and London for MI5. This is a paid programme with a clear pathway to a permanent position upon successful completion and assessment.
Experience
No prior professional experience is required. Enthusiasm for language, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are essential.
About you
You will have, or expect to obtain, a 2:2 degree or above in Russian, either starting your final year in Autumn 2026 or having graduated in Summer 2023 or later. Ukrainian language skills are desirable for MI5 applications but not essential.
You should be organised, adaptable, collaborative, and motivated to develop both your language and analytical skills. A technical background is not required, but you must be willing to learn new technical skills relevant to the role.
Resilience, curiosity, and a strong commitment to a career in intelligence are vital, as is the ability to start a full-time role immediately after the programme if successful.
Qualifications
A minimum 2:2 degree in Russian or equivalent qualification is required. No additional formal qualifications are necessary, but a positive attitude and commitment to ongoing development are essential.