Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) - Intelligence Researcher

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) is a civilian police force that protects the UK's Defence community within SJC Guardian, capabilities and assets. Our Force consists of armed officers, specialist policing roles and professional civilian staff who work seamlessly with the Ministry of Defence, US Visiting Forces, and other policing and security partners. With stations across the United Kingdom, our presence extends from nuclear facilities to military sites and government buildings. Unlike territorial police forces, our jurisdiction and expertise are focused on protecting the critical infrastructure that underpins national security. Our officers and civil servants bring diverse experience and skills to the unique challenges of Defence policing.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Make a real difference at the heart of national security as an Intelligence Researcher with the Ministry of Defence Police. In this vital role, you will help defend the homeland and protect critical national infrastructure by turning information into actionable intelligence. Drawing on data from police, Defence, and open-source systems, you will collect, collate, and evaluate information to support intelligence operations, proactive policing, and the investigation of serious and organised criminality. Whether working at a strategic, tactical, or operational level, your research will directly inform decision-making and contribute to safeguarding the UK’s most sensitive assets and environments.

You’ll play a key part in an intelligence-led organisation, preparing clear and compelling research summaries, reports, and presentations that influence operational outcomes. Your expertise will help develop new research methods, identify emerging threats, and ensure best practice through innovation and continuous learning. Working collaboratively with partners across policing, government, and other agencies, you’ll build trusted relationships that enable effective information sharing and coordinated responses. From supporting court processes with evidential statements to maintaining strict adherence to legal frameworks and professional standards, this role offers a unique opportunity to apply analytical curiosity, integrity, and problem-solving skills in a career that truly matters.

Receive, assess and decide outcomes for intelligence reporting, to identify threat, harm and risk, and to support the operational policing delivery of the MDP:

• Undertake qualitative and qualitative research to produce intelligence and/or inform analytical products, including collecting, collating and evaluating information from a wide variety of sources at a strategic, tactical or operational level.
• Prepare and deliver research summaries and findings, such as presentations and reports, to clearly and accurately inform decision making and/or facilitate analysis.
• Prepare statements of evidence for court and attend court as a witness if required to assist in the criminal justice process.
• Support the identification and development of new sources and methods of research to ensure that intelligence products reflect latest methodologies and best practice.
• Develop and maintain relationships with colleagues and partners, such as liaising with other agencies in order to support information sharing and collaborative working.
• Maintain awareness of innovation within intelligence to ensure implementation of latest techniques and tactics, best practice, and information relevant to the role.
• Adhere to all legal frameworks, key working principles, policies and guidance relevant to the role.

In addition to the requirement to obtain DV clearance, the successful candidate will also have to undergo additional internal checks once DV has been granted.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience conducting intelligence research or analysis within policing, military, government, or security environments.
• Experience working in intelligence units (e.g. crime intelligence, counter-terrorism, or organised crime teams) collecting, collating and evaluating information from multiple sources.
• Conducting qualitative and quantitative research interpreting complex datasets and identifying patterns, trends, and risks with cognisance of Data management, data quality assurance, and information governance considerations.
• Experience producing intelligence reports, briefings, or analytical products for decision-makers, in line with the National Intelligence Model.
• Experience with Internet Intelligence and Investigations using open and closed source intelligence tools and techniques.

The Post Holder must be qualified (or be willing to become qualified) in the following capabilities:

• IPP Intelligence Researcher
• NCIA Core

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability in no more than 500 words.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Statement of suitability.

At interview you will be assessed against Strengths and the following Behaviours:

• Working together
• Managing a quality service

You will also be asked two strength based questions at interview

Sifting will commence on WC 13/07/2026 please note this is subject to change depending on number of applications. Interviews are due to take place at RAF Wyton on WC 03/08/2026, subject to change and notification will be provided.

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.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : Jon Tabrar
• Email : jon.tabrar100@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

EVP Army TLB Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 3851kB)MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 25kB)Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)