Flexible Linguist - Various Languages

Job summary

Hours: Part-time, on a flexible contractual basis. Typically standard office hours, with some flexibility based on business needs. Due to the sensitive nature of the role, remote, hybrid or homeworking is not possible.

About Us

MI5, MI6 and GCHQ are the UK’s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard Britain’s people, interests and businesses from a range of threats at home, overseas and online, including cyberattacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. Working across our vital missions, you’ll deliver impact at the heart of national security, all within a supportive and inclusive environment that enables everyone to thrive.

Job description

The Role

Do you speak or feel comfortable communicating in any of the following languages? If you speak a regional dialect of the language, we would still encourage you to apply. We also appreciate there may be multiple spellings of the languages listed below.

• Fula (Fulfulde/Fulani/ Fulah)
• Kanuri
• Hausa
• Tamazight (Tamasheq/Tamajaq/Tamahaq)
• Oromo
• Amharic
• Luganda
• Mandarin
• Cantonese
• Chechen
• Latvian
• Ukrainian
• Bulgarian
• Vietnamese

As a Part-Time Linguist, you’ll apply your language skills and cultural expertise to a variety of projects to help protect the UK. The role involves translating and transcribing language materials and using your linguistic knowledge and cultural insight to support wider intelligence work. There may also be opportunities to contribute to the development of language tools and resources, as well as to participate in language teaching and training. For candidates with the appropriate skills and interest, and depending on the language, there may be opportunities to provide interpreting support that strengthens our analytical capabilities.

You’ll be part of a friendly, supportive and thriving community of linguists who share a passion for language. Much of the work is project-based and completed independently, though there will be opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge and engage with colleagues when required. Your expertise will be valued, and your work will directly support the UK’s national security.

This is a part-time role with flexible working arrangements, but it requires on-site work during standard office hours. Occasional travel to other locations may also be required.

Person specification

About You

This role does not require formal professional qualifications, but it does call for a high level of proficiency in your language – at least C1 level in CEFR terms – with excellent writing, speaking, listening and reading skills, alongside fluent English. You may have developed your language ability through academic study, community use, a heritage background or lived experience – all of these pathways are welcome. What matters most is your passion for the language and your commitment to producing accurate, high-quality translations and transcriptions.

You’ll also bring a high level of attention to detail, be comfortable working independently on language tasks and feel confident using IT systems, with the curiosity and adaptability to learn new tools and workflows as needed. If you combine advanced language skills with experience in other areas, particularly teaching or training, this role may be especially well suited to you.

Before You Apply

To work for the intelligence community, you must be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about our eligibility criteria.

This role requires a certain level of security clearance, known as SC+ (Enhanced Security Check). Everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes vetting, which can take some time. Find out more about the vetting process.

Please note that we have a strict drugs policy. Once you start your application, you must not take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

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 hard copy receipts for reimbursement.

Before you apply, we recommend setting up a separate email address for your application to ensure your personal and application-related correspondence remain separate. Avoid including identifying details (such as your name or date of birth) in your email address.

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 before applying. Submitting an application from outside the UK will affect our ability to progress it. You should not discuss your application with anyone other than your partner or a close family member.

Benefits

Training and Development

When you join, an induction will introduce you to your colleagues and provide an overview of the role, our workflows, and the organisation. This induction also explains how language tasks are allocated, the systems used, and the wider context your work supports.

An on-site line manager is assigned to provide ongoing support and guidance as you settle in, acting as the main point of contact for tasking, development needs and day-to-day queries. You will be part of a wider community of linguists, creating opportunities to share insights and learn from others across the team.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive an hourly rate of £35.00 per hour, along with reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses to your designated office location.

The role is based on-site in either London or Greater Manchester. Reasonable public transport costs can be claimed as an expense, and the most cost-effective travel routes and ticketing options must be used.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide relocation costs for this role.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit:

1. Application sift, looking at your motivation for the role and the organisatio
2. Language test, assessing your translation and transcription skills into English
3. Assessment Centre, including competency-based interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to security vetting

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage to progress to the next. The full process, including vetting, may take 6 to 9 months. Because work volumes may vary considerably and unpredictably, the Flexible Linguist role is intended to complement your existing employment. You may decide to continue in your current role both during the recruitment process and after receiving your final job offer.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment
• Email : careers@recruitmentoffice.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@recruitmentoffice.org.uk