Flexible working: This is a full-time role and due to the nature of the work,
home/hybrid working is not available. However, we recognise the importance of a
healthy work-life balance and offer flexible start and finish times (depending on
business needs).
About us
We are MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Our mission is to
protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as
regional instability, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. Working across the globe and in
close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these
threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role in MI6 will see you
providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment
that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The role
As one of our Print Specialists, you will provide printing support to a range of projects,
short and long-term, using the latest technologies and equipment to support mission-
critical work across the organisation. You will work closely with internal colleagues from
different teams such as Intelligence and Corporate Services, along with other
government departments when required. And as part of our small printing team,
you will find a supportive working environment where everyone helps each other.
Day to day, you will take requirements directly from colleagues, then produce high-
quality materials that fit their needs. Since you will be taking requests that are unique to
our mission, you will work with creativity to come up with solutions, and to provide
advice and information to colleagues outside the department. There will be lots of
variety, the chance to learn new printing techniques and grow your expertise, and to
travel to printing trade events both in the UK and infrequently overseas.
About you
You will need to be ready to take on projects straight away, so practical experience in
lithographic printing and ancillary printing processes and techniques, are a must.
You will also need experience producing high-quality printed material on B3 press and
be able to demonstrate a methodical and creative approach to tackling press-related
problems. Since there’s a large variety in the materials we produce, you will also need
to be willing to learn other techniques such as silk screen printing.
The role involves working closely with colleagues across the organisation. So, you will
need to demonstrate sound customer service and collaboration skills. Your
communication skills will be vital as you explain, inform and advise on printing-
related matters. As part of a small, close-knit team, you will also be someone who
supports others.
Training and development
We are passionate about your personal development, so we have lots of ways to help
you grow. You will get a full induction, introducing you to the organisation and our work.
And you will have the option to complete training courses relevant to your role and
have access to a mentor, who will support and encourage your continued development.
We will also support you with a range of in-house and bespoke training to help you
upskill in new printing techniques.
Rewards and benefits
You will receive a starting salary of £43,099 plus other benefits including:
25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years of service,
and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
interest-free season ticket loan (travel and parking)
excellent pension scheme
cycle to work scheme
facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some
locations)
paid parental and adoption leave
Equal opportunities
At MI6 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need
a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in
every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender
identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or
neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from
everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce
such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities
and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website.
Offer of interview
We are committed to providing equitable opportunities throughout the recruitment
process to support candidates with disabilities. As part of this, we aim to ensure that
a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who best meet the essential
minimum criteria for this position, will be offered an interview, if it is practical for us to
do so. (This is known as the Offer of an Interview.) To secure an interview for this
role, the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:
previous experience of lithographic printing on B3 presses (assessed at
application sift)
reaching the minimum pass mark in the application form questions on
motivation for the role and organisation (assessed at application sift)
There is a wide range of extra support available throughout the recruitment process
to enable you to do your best, visit our how to apply page for information on
reasonable adjustments we can offer.
What to expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief
overview of each stage, in order:
1. Application sift, looking at your motivation for the role and the organisation
2. Technical interview, looking at your skills
3. Competency-based interview
4. If successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to
the next. Your application may take around 6 to 9 months to process including
vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received
your final job offer.
Before you apply
To work at MI6, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read
about our eligibility criteria.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting
(DV). It is something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. Find out
more about the vetting process.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you
can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug
usage at the relevant stage.
Before you apply, we advise you to consider setting up a separate email address for
your contact with us, to ensure your personal and application correspondence
remain separate. Try to avoid having identifying features in your email address, such
as your first and/or surname and date of birth. This is good practise and will help
you manage your application with us more discretely.
The role is based in central London so you’ll need to live within a commutable
distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before
submitting an application, as we do not offer relocation costs.
We offer reasonable reimbursement of travel costs for candidates attending in-
person appointments during the recruitment and vetting process. Full details will be
provided with your interview or assessment invitation.
Reimbursement is discretionary and will only be made in line with the Candidate
Expenses Policy, as amended from time to time. Candidates must book their own
travel, using the most economical option, and provide original hardcopy receipts for
reimbursement.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If
you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an
application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to
progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than
with your partner or a close family member.
Right to withdraw statement:
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this
role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been
received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest
convenience to avoid disappointment.