Open Source Intelligence Analyst

RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, PE28 2EAJob SummaryAs a vital component of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence (DI) delivers expert intelligence analysis, specialist outputs, and strategic advice to inform decision-making across government. At the core of DI lies the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI).In a world where "everything happens somewhere," NCGI creates intelligence anchored in time and space, enabling decision-makers to understand, plan, navigate, and act with precision.A key element of this organisation is the Defence Open Source Intelligence Centre (DOC), which leads the way in advanced and innovative Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). Through its Online Research Collection and Analysis (ORCA) Team, DOC provides cutting-edge OSINT support to the Armed Forces and other Partners Across Government (PAG).As an ORCA Analyst, you will deliver timely and credible open-source reporting to enhance the UK's understanding of critical intelligence challenges, supporting a diverse range of key intelligence customers.Operating in a dynamic and fast-changing environment, the ORCA team continuously adapts its OSINT strategies. Analysts employ innovative tools, cutting-edge skills, and tailored approaches to ensure Defence's OSINT capability remains effective and aligned with the needs of key partners and allies.In DI our people solve problems, create understanding and give perspective to the diverse and complex Defence threats and challenges in a rapidly changing world. Together our civilians and military personnel inform decision making in Defence, manage complex finance programmes and develop new technology.In DI we believe your unique experiences, view and understanding of the world could provide a vital perspective and contribution to our work. We recognise that great minds do not think alike and are striving to increase our diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunities employer we hire, train, and promote people based on merit and inspire to create an inclusive workplace free of discrimination. We also offer flexible working arrangements such as flexi-time, job share and compressed hours.This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.Job DescriptionThe purpose of the ORCA Analyst is to produce and disseminate timely, relevant and credible open source reporting, informing and developing understanding around multiple intelligence problem-sets, for a broad range of intelligence customers.The ORCA Analysts adapt and develop strategies to cope, often applying a tradecraft intensive approach that goes above and beyond most of Defence’s OSINT community. As such, the intelligence requirements undertaken by the ORCA team are to challenge the capability.The Post Holder Will:Develop an understanding of the subjects, themes and regions that are assigned to you via OSINT investigation.Produce timely and relevant OSINT reports, linking your analysis with partners across DI and beyond. ORCA products are disseminated across the highest levels of the UK Government and MOD, updating key decision makers on current or emerging topics.Attend meetings relevant to your subjects, developing your knowledge beyond that of OSINT, to understand how your outputs are updating MOD priorities.Provide briefs to interested partners, guiding a community of interest reliant on your knowledge, operating as the OSINT authority in the room.Become the OSINT authority on your subject or theme, engaging with MOD, cross-UK Govt and international customers or partners.Ensure the ORCA remains the MOD's Centre of Excellence for OSINT by undertaking specialised training provided by the DOC.Have the opportunity to participate in an OSINT analyst exchange initiative within UK Govt, NATO and international partners.Trial new OSINT tools, directly advising the DOC's capability development on their utility.Shape the way the UK delivers OSINT in the future, informing the strategic direction of OSINT within the MOD and specifically the ORCA.All jobs advertised in DI are subject to fair and open competition.The purpose of the ORCA Analyst is to produce and disseminate timely, relevant and credible open source reporting, informing and developing understanding around multiple intelligence problem-sets, for a broad range of intelligence customers.The ORCA Analysts adapt and develop strategies to cope, often applying a tradecraft intensive approach that goes above and beyond most of Defence’s OSINT community. As such, the intelligence requirements undertaken by the ORCA team are to challenge the capability.The Post Holder Will:Develop an understanding of the subjects, themes and regions that are assigned to you via OSINT investigation.Produce timely and relevant OSINT reports, linking your analysis with partners across DI and beyond. ORCA products are disseminated across the highest levels of the UK Government and MOD, updating key decision makers on current or emerging topics.Attend meetings relevant to your subjects, developing your knowledge beyond that of OSINT, to understand how your outputs are updating MOD priorities.Provide briefs to interested partners, guiding a community of interest reliant on your knowledge, operating as the OSINT authority in the room.Become the OSINT authority on your subject or theme, engaging with MOD, cross-UK Govt and international customers or partners.Ensure the ORCA remains the MOD's Centre of Excellence for OSINT by undertaking specialised training provided by the DOC.Have the opportunity to participate in an OSINT analyst exchange initiative within UK Govt, NATO and international partners.Trial new OSINT tools, directly advising the DOC's capability development on their utility.Shape the way the UK delivers OSINT in the future, informing the strategic direction of OSINT within the MOD and specifically the ORCA.All jobs advertised in DI are subject to fair and open competition.Person specificationIf you are curious by nature, the ORCA will naturally prompt the investigator in you. Finding answers and problem solving are key traits of ORCA analysts. Analysts utilise multiple methodologies to achieve success, persevering via a selection of specialist tools and tradecraft.Producing reports that meet the intelligence needs of our customers requires strong written and verbal communication skills, enabling you to effectively convey information. Microsoft Office tools are heavily utilised in OSINT production to develop outputs and refine requirements.An intensive approach to problem solving means we deploy a variety of specialist OSINT data tools and OSINT tradecraft. These capabilities require a high degree of digital literacy or willingness to learn.The successful candidate will need to have strong organisational skills, able to run multiple projects simultaneously, whilst producing accurate and effective communications with all partners.This position will almost certainly expose individuals to graphic and distressing material online. Due to the nature of publicly available information, measures are taken to protect individuals, mitigating the risk where possible, and ensuring support is always available.Operational needs may require the ORCA to support OSINT production outside normal working hours and this can include working weekends, evenings or early mornings. This would be subject to overtime or 'time off in lieu' arrangements being agreed and is entirely voluntary. Criteria: EssentialCompetent and confident with Microsoft Office.Able to adapt to evolving workloads, short notice tasks and challenging timelines. Qualifications: DesirableSkills in coding and programming.Linguist ability - any languages welcome.BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Seeing the Big PictureDeveloping Self and OthersWorking TogetherTechnical skillsWe'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:PHIA Communication of Intelligence Assessment (Awareness)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.We offer a range of excellent benefits including but not limited to the following: All successful candidates will be eligible to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Leave entitlement - 25-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year. Complementing our generous annual leave allowance, we also have a flexible working scheme. Additional working pattern options – we have a strong culture of flexible working and encourage all employees to have a healthy work/life balance. We offer a wide range of potential working patterns, including part time, job share and compressed hours. These need to be balanced with business needs so they will vary from job to job. If you would like to know more, please speak to the Recruiting Line Manager. Professional Development - We are committed to your continued professional and personal development with learning as one of our core values. Health and Wellbeing – for a small fee we offer the staff the use of the exceptional site gymnasium facilities. We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year RAF Wyton has free car parking; and other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym, and onsite shop.Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this 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.This post does not offer any assistance with relocation allowances; however, some applicants may be eligible to claim Apprentice Living Away from Home Allowance.External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.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.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.At sift, applicants will be assessed based on their experience and skills by submitting a personal statement, which must not exceed 1000 words. Candidates should use their personal statement to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in relation to the skills outlined in the Person Specification section.This should include clear evidence addressing both the essential and desirable criteria statement, please read and understand the requirements described in the Person Specification section thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately or have examples that cover and evidence several criteria. Please ensure you evidence the requirements and what you have done that relates to the requirements. You don’t have to explain the whole process, focus on what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the technical and behavioural skills you have that correspond to the requirements, and life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.At interview, which will be held virtually, applicants will be interviewed against the following three Civil Service Behaviours:Seeing the Big PictureDeveloping Self and OthersWorking Together At interview applicants will be required to give a 5 minute presentation.The candidate will be required to brief on a tool or website they believe could be of value to UK defence investigations.Examples Could Include: News feed Satellite imagery website Social media analytics tool Conflict monitoring datasetThe presentation will be marked against the following PHIA competency:PHIA Communication of Intelligence Assessment (Awareness) The Professional Development Framework for all-source intelligence assessment - GOV.UK Please see the attachments for more information.Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be helpful in generating ideas, improving writing style, and increasing efficiency. However, it is essential that any content submitted as part of a job application is truthful, accurate, and a genuine reflection of the applicant’s qualifications and experiences. Any use of AI should be supplementary to your own knowledge and abilities. Ultimately, the application should demonstrate your unique skills and suitability for the role. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.We would generally expect Behaviour examples to follow the STAR structure and encourage candidates to use this throughout their application.Application/Interview Scoring System NCGI adopts a scoring system of 1-7 for Behaviours, Technical skills, and Experience.7- The evidence provided wholly exceeds expectation at this level6 - Substantial positive evidence; includes some evidence of exceeding expectations at this level5 - Substantial positive evidence of the competency or behaviour4 - Adequate positive evidence and any negative evidence would not cause concern3 - Moderate positive evidence but some negative evidence demonstrated2 - Limited positive evidence and/or mainly negative evidence demonstrated1 - No positive evidence and/or substantial negative evidence demonstratedThe sift should take place within two weeks of the job closing and candidates will be informed of the results, at all stages, via the website. Interview dates are to be confirmed.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.If the successful candidate does not hold the necessary clearances, they will be made a provisional job offer and asked to undergo our vetting procedures. Once the relevant clearances have been obtained a formal job offer will be made and start dates can be discussed. Should the candidate fail to obtain the relevant clearances the provisional job offer will be rescinded. It should be noted that this process can take several months.Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) generates and operates specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the UK secure at home and strong abroad.Always on, we are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see - or those you can’t.From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our collective expertise delivers the warfighting edge Defence needs to deter threats and secure the nation today and prepare for tomorrow.CSOC unites Defence’s cyber and specialist capabilities under a single, military command alongside the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force - acting as the UK’s fourth Military Command. For more information, please see here.’Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to design the way in which the new Military Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, posts within CSOC are/or may become subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to 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 outFeedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.SecuritySuccessful 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.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 requirementsOpen to UK nationals only.Working for the Civil ServiceThe 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.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 InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).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 applicantsJob Contact :Name : NCGI Recruitment TeamEmail : ukstratcom-di-ncgi-recruitment@mod.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.ukFurther informationPlease 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.