GCHQ intelligence service | Law Careers

GCHQ’s work is quite distinct from the partner agencies, and falls into two key areas: -

The first is to use some of the world’s most powerful technology to ‘intercept’ communications and electronic signals from around the world. Specialist teams convert this information into ‘intelligence’, which is then used by customers - government, law enforcement agencies and the military - to inform foreign policy or fight terrorism and crime.

In this respect the 2009 Whitehall Capability Review identified GCHQ as being ‘world class’ in the field of signals intelligence activity.

The second is to act as a security organisation in the area of ‘Information Assurance’ - protecting Government communication and information systems from attack - as well as providing technical advice to a range of UK customers. This is the responsibility of a specialist division called CESG, which is the UK’s National Technical Authority for Information Assurance.

In both roles, the focus is on keeping one step ahead of people who are, in turn, trying to keep one step ahead of GCHQ. This means the work is constantly evolving, extremely challenging, and always interesting.

Since 2006, GCHQ has also been responsible for the National Technical Assistance Centre (NTAC), which provides specialist technical support to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Off the Record

Employing over 5,000 people from its purpose built headquarters in Cheltenham (affectionately known locally as the ‘doughnut’), GCHQ is a technological powerhouse. In order to keep up to date with the ever changing demands of technological advancement GCHQ has to invest a significant amount of its budget into modernisation of IT systems. Coupled with this is the development of its staff skills and knowledge in order to sustain and enhance its capability.

As an organisation in place to combat threats to the country’s national security, GCHQ has increasingly turned its attention to the challenges presented by the UK’s growing dependence on cyber space. This will be a big focus for CESG in the next few years, principally in support of the Government's ‘Cyber Security Strategy’.

Due to the way in which threats to the UK arise, GCHQ’s workforce has to be flexible and resilient in their approach, and be prepared (when needed) to work additional hours to overcome them. However, GCHQ has a range of policies and procedures in place to ensure that staff are able to maintain an excellent work-life balance.

In addition to its Cheltenham base, GCHQ has stations at Bude (Cornwall) and Scarborough (North Yorkshire).

Work Focus

Many people are surprised when they discover that GCHQ can offer more than just careers in technology! In fact there’s a real wealth of opportunities - IT; internet; engineering; languages; information assurance; network defence; mathematics; intelligence; management; research and development; information science; finance; accountancy; audit; security; human resources; project management.

As a new entrant individuals are expected to remain in post for a number of years to ensure they are able to develop the necessary skills to be able to perform satisfactorily in that job. However, job direction and career progression is managed by the individual. So it is down to them to decide what they want to do and then work with their line management chain to ensure they are getting the appropriate training, development, mentoring and support to achieve their ambitions.

What they want

There is a lot of misconception that GCHQ only recruits top performing graduates. However, they will consider individuals from all academic backgrounds (school leavers to post grads), as well as people who are able to demonstrate proven experience. Minimum entry requirements are usually 5 GCSE’s grades A-C (usually including maths and English). At the graduate level there is a mixture of roles requiring either a 2:1 or 2:2 degree (minimum).

Language speakers play a crucial role in GCHQ and so they are always on the look out for people with a passion in this field, particularly those with experience of rare dialects. A formal qualification is not required but individuals should have native tongue or degree level knowledge of the language. In addition to excellent language skills and good English, individuals must be able to demonstrate an interest in, and understanding of, the cultural and current affairs of the region(s) related to the language(s) they speak.

As well as any required qualifications or experience, individuals must be able to demonstrate competence in the following sorts of areas: -

Team working & Leadership
Delivering results
Adapting and influencing change
Analysis and decision making
Providing Customer Service
Communications and Knowledge Sharing

Lastly (due to the nature of their work) GCHQ has a series of nationality, security and residency rules that individuals must meet and comply with. As a minimum applicants must be British citizens, and must be 18 years old in order to hold the appropriate security clearances. Full details are available on their website.

Internships

The nature of GCHQ’s work and the need to attain appropriate security clearances makes it very difficult for GCHQ to provide internships. However, they are developing what is offered and run annual opportunities in their Research & Development and Technology sections.

The Research and Development internship offers a 50 week placement with full training and development opportunities. The work is primarily focused on the development and application of technical capability, while over the year assistance is provided to help individuals develop other key skills essential for a permanent role. At the end of the placements, individuals have the opportunity to undertake an assessment event, with the view to a permanent position.

In Technology, GCHQ offers a Sponsored Undergraduate Technologists (SUTs) scheme. This is designed to provide invaluable practical experience – not to mention an insight into GCHQ’s work. It offers an annual bursary, a further grant for books and software and the possibility of permanent employment after graduation. Individuals need to need to apply the year before they want the sponsorship to start and options include sponsorship in the final year after a summer placement, a work placement in the penultimate year with final year sponsorship, or two years’ sponsorship with two summer placements. At the end of the placements, individuals have the opportunity to undertake an assessment event, with the view to a permanent position.

Both internships are open to individuals studying computing, software, electronic engineering, physics and applied mathematics, or a related degree with a significant IT component. The application process normally opens in autumn.

It is hoped that further roles (for example, in languages) will be made available in the future. GCHQ’s website always contains details of any available opportunities.

Sponsorships/Rewards

GCHQ is exemplary in its approach to training and development and offers a range of facilities (both in house and externally provided) to ensure their staff are up to the ‘job at hand’ and have expertise in line with outside industry. Where appropriate, GCHQ will offer individuals tailored training paths and possibly sponsorship to obtain a professionally recognised qualification.

As an accredited ‘Positive about Disabled People’ employer, GCHQ offers a comprehensive package of adjustments, networks, policies and training to support disabled individuals.

Other benefits include competitive salaries, excellent holiday entitlements, entry to a Civil Service pension scheme, a range of flexible working patterns and personal amenities such as onsite restaurants, a gym/wellbeing centre, an Employee Assistance Service and Union membership (which offers a range of personal discounts).

Applying

Application to GCHQ is online via www.gchq-careers.co.uk. The website contains information about all the roles available at GCHQ, as well as further details about working conditions, benefits, nationality/security regulations, and the application process. Further information can always be sought from the Recruitment team by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

As GCHQ is a security organisation the application process is lengthier than most other organisations (due to the necessary background checks). An application can take anything up to 9 months (in some instances longer).

Vacancies are driven by business requirements and so they change on a regular basis. The majority of graduate opportunities are advertised in the autumn of each year (looking for individuals to commence employment in the following year). Other roles are advertised on an ad-hoc basis. GCHQ offers an ‘email alert’ facility whereby individuals can input their email address to receive details of new vacancies once they are advertised.

GCHQ Recruitment - Marketing Manager

01-10-2009