What makes this work interesting? Using languages and cultural knowledge in a professional context, to help make the world a safer place. Opportunities to learn new languages. Working as part of a supportive team in a totally unique working culture. A wide range of career paths. Getting a buzz from contributing to the security of Britain. Working for the UK’s intelligence services. Training and development opportunities. A friendly, helpful work environment. Continuous Personal Development plan with an established ‘Investor in People’. Excellent conditions and benefits, including attractive pension options and competitive, annually reviewed salaries, plus flexible working policies.

GCHQ is a critical part of the UK’s intelligence and security service, working with MI5 and MI6 to counter threats to Britain. But while our work might be secret, we don’t work in silence or alone: ours is a friendly, helpful work environment. And because we need to be always one step ahead, we’ll make sure you are too with training and development opportunities. We’re an established ‘Investor in People’, and all of our people have access to an individual Continuous Personal Development plan, and support – where applicable – to study for professional qualifications.

Our teams of Linguists and Cultural Specialists collect foreign signals and intelligence, and have an understanding of its context. You’ll be surprised by how many linguists we employ and how many languages we use in our daily work. While we’re interested to hear from all fluent speakers (you must be a British citizen however), we’re especially interested in languages from the following areas

• Eastern Europe
• Middle East
• Asia
• Africa

Don’t expect to be given a set of headphones. This is about cultural knowledge as much as language skills, and our linguists use their knowledge and expertise to assess pieces of information and provide valuable intelligence. Linguists help inform policy decisions every bit as much as help create a better world. We don’t look for qualifications, but we do look for fluency in English and at least one other language. Other languages - Axeri, Mirpuri, Papiamento, Patois/Creoles

Full training is available, as is an interestingly diverse career path - in language research, technology and training, or elsewhere across GCHQ.

A formal qualification is not required, but you should have a degree level knowledge of the language. In addition to excellent language skills and good English, you 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) you speak. Applicants must be a British citizen.