Arabic Language Specialist

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 436289

**Salary**:

- £39,152 - £48,818
- In addition to a competitive salary, you might also be eligible for extra allowances depending on the organisation you join. These could include bonuses for particular skills or the chance to earn language-related allowances once you’re in the role.

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Executive Officer

** Contract type**:

- Permanent

** Type of role**:

- Intelligence

** Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time, Compressed hours

** Number of jobs available**:

- 1

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

** Location**:

- London

** About the job**:
** Job summary**:

- **Flexible working**:

- This is an office-based role, and while our work is primarily carried out on-site, we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. That’s why we offer a variety of flexible working options, including part-time working arrangements, compressed hours, and other supportive work patterns to help meet your needs.
- To find out more about flexible working, please visit our websites: MI5, MI6
- **About us**
- MI5 and MI6 are part of the UK’s Intelligence Services. We work together to safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from various threats at home, overseas and online, including cyber-attacks, espionage, terrorism, and organised crime. Working across our vital missions, you’ll make a real impact at the heart of national security, all within a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

** Job description**:

- As an Arabic Language Specialist at MI5 and MI6, you’ll provide linguistic and cultural expertise that helps shape operations. In this role, you’ll do more than translations and transcriptions. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you’ll piece together Arabic language materials, produce reports, and unlock intelligence that drives real-world operations. In short, you’ll have considerable influence as you listen to, read, or view materials in Arabic and provide context that we wouldn’t otherwise understand.
- You’ll triage, process, and analyse foreign language content, using your cultural and linguistic expertise to provide vital context through briefings to teams, specialist personnel, and analysts. Alongside this, you may occasionally take on interpreting assignments outside of the office, where you’ll be fully supported with all the information and guidance you need to feel confident and prepared. You’ll also play a key role in developing our language capabilities, whether by supporting new initiatives or helping advance language technology tools and AI. As our needs evolve, you’ll help ensure we’re equipped to deliver effective, forward-thinking solutions.
- Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a range of analytical tools and receive training to support and enhance your work. Within our welcoming and collaborative language community, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to grow your skills. While you’ll often work independently, you’ll be surrounded by colleagues who are ready to support you, share insights, and explore new ways of working together.
- Please note: There may be opportunities to travel within the UK or overseas as part of this role, depending on business requirements. We’ll always take your responsibilities outside of work into account when considering deployments, and we’ll work with you to ensure it’s right for you.

** Person specification**:

- At C1 level or higher, you’re able to:

- Understand a wide range of longer and more demanding texts and conversations
- Express ideas fluently without excessive searching for words
- Use the language effectively in social, academic, or professional situations
- Produce well-structured, detailed texts on complex topics- You can also access the CEFR self-assessment grid for more information on our requirements.
- As an inquisitive problem-solver, you’ll delve into information and find relevant intelligence others might miss. You’ll ask questions and seek to unlock the bigger picture and enjoy working as part of a team. Organised, resilient and able to prioritise tasks as necessary, you’ll remain calm under pressure. Importantly, you’ll be a confident communicator capable of preparing and presenting reports and briefings to colleagues and stakeholders who may not share your language or cultural knowledge.
- **Training and development**
- On joining either MI6 or MI5, you’ll undertake structured initial training to understand the organisation, its mission, and the tools and systems you’ll be using. You’ll be assigned a mentor or development partner to support your transition. At MI5, this includes a dedicated partner for your first year, and at both organisations, you’ll also receive guidance from your line manager.
- You’ll attend briefings and team meetings to understand your mission area and how your role contributes across either organisation. B