Operational Officer Profiles
Tom
I joined SIS in 2002 after finishing university, where my focus had been mainly on economics and sociology. At the interview stages I wasn't quite sure what SIS was looking for, but I surprised myself by moving on from round to round eventually being offered a job. I guess the lesson is to be yourself and let the expert interviewing you make his or her own assessment rather than trying to second guess the answers they want to hear.
After my extensive initial training period as an Operational Officer, I started work in a busy head office team on counter-terrorism operations. As with any professional career, the learning curve was steep at the beginning and at times it was pressured. But I stuck with the job, was sent on an overseas temporary posting for a couple of months and worked closely with the Security Service, including on follow up to the 7 and 21 July London bombings/attempted bombings. After a while I got posted abroad to a conflict zone, where I was immediately given a much higher level of responsibility and some important agent work alongside the UK military. The agents were impressive people, running substantial personal risks for the interests of the UK and the local people. Whatever one might think of the UK's involvement in conflict zones, I knew that SIS's intelligence contributed to shaping the UK's policy and that our work saved lives on both sides. I realised that whilst this was exactly what I had wanted, it would not have been possible without the preparatory background in Head Office.
Following this experience, I found myself back in London with a gentler-paced job, looking at longer-term and strategic issues in the Middle East. A reduction in working hours and a much safer commute to the office were certainly welcome! This work gave me the space to reflect on how to solve problems, rather than the constant reaction required for working with the military. The resources I found available for SIS work were impressive, and I started to believe - as I had been told upon joining the Service - that almost anything was possible given enough time, some creativity and a bit of luck. I've also been able to work with some of the most talented, professional and fun people I could ever ask to have as colleagues, and there's a real sense that we're all in it together; that we share something that other people do not - and cannot - know.
I have very recently started a second posting overseas in Asia and have learnt the local language on post (other contemporaries have had full time language training before their postings, including overseas immersion). I feel I now have a range of experiences to draw on. Friends I graduated with are starting to find their professional careers in the private sector somewhat routine after five or six years, but SIS work has provided a constant level of intellectual stimulation and a number of changes of direction. To wake up every morning (well, most mornings, at least) look in the mirror and think "I'm doing something exciting and useful today" is worth more to me than a big city bonus, or even being able to tell anyone what I really do.
Nicola
I joined SIS 8 years ago after a few years of post-University travel, further study and work overseas. I was uncertain about an impending legal career, and wanted to do something that actually mattered. I applied to the FCO, thinking that the diplomatic service would be a great career for life. However, when SIS approached me directly, I realised early on that an SIS career better suited my skills. The idea of having various jobs within a career seemed the perfect way to satisfy my interest in the world and give me variety.
After the initial training course, I was appointed to a small operational team with the brief of running existing casework but with scope to come up with new ideas to tackle the target. The first job shaped my approach to working in SIS - my colleagues were tremendously motivated, dynamic and creative group who brought different talents to the section. The job also demonstrated how our intelligence influenced decision-making. It was gratifying to receive feedback from readers in Government that showed how our intelligence had directly influenced the UK's negotiating strategy - knowing our opponent's hand well before we needed to play our cards.
After a period of language training I then spent 2½ years working from an embassy overseas. I had approached the postings process with an open mind, not wanting to pin my hopes on one post when I was game to try anything. I settled on a more politically-orientated job in a fascinating country at a time when the Foreign Secretary was being kept awake by the prospect of diplomatic relations going off the rails. The work was tremendous - it was the best and worst of diplomatic life overseas, but with the added buzz of working to an additional SIS brief.
On my return to London, I stayed in operational work and was appointed deputy head of a team where I got to use all my languages, and received in-house tuition to keep these fluent. I also had the chance to do various training courses, including personnel management. Life was more predictable than the all-absorbing work overseas, but I still travelled every week or so, and (usually) loved the feeling of not knowing what was going to happen from day-to-day, who would be on the other end when the phone rang (and who I would have to be to take that call) or what extraordinary people I would meet. The courage and generosity of so many of the agents who work with us is inspiring and reinforces my decision to pursue a career in SIS.
I am now launching myself into the world of counter-terrorism. Given its importance to the work of all the UK's Intelligence Services, I too wanted to make a contribution to tackling terrorism at home and overseas. I have already understood that the reality is different to the version we hear in the press. And it is always satisfying to listen to 'breaking news' that broke in SIS weeks earlier. As for the future, I may apply for a secondment to another Government Department, or even to the private sector, an SIS career is sufficiently flexible to allow you to pursue it for life, but to come up for air every now and again.
I am very close to my SIS peers, bound to them by the fact that so many of our experiences are unique - and often too secret to share with other friends. So it is a good thing that as well as being professional colleagues, they are great people.
Laura
I joined SIS after completing a science degree. I didn't know exactly what working for SIS would entail but I was looking for a job which offered variety, challenge, travel and where the work felt important. Eight years on, I am sure that I made the right decision.
My first six months in the office were spent learning about intelligence work - in particular, how to identify, recruit and run human sources of intelligence (known in the Service as agents). I joined a team responsible for gathering intelligence on chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programmes of particular concern to the UK. The job involved running agents and working closely with friendly foreign intelligence services in sharing information and taking action to prevent the development of these weapons programmes.
I subsequently spent 6 months in Iraq, where I met many senior Iraqi officials, travelled around much of the country and briefed senior UK visitors. I gained a fascinating insight into the country and saw at first hand the challenges the Coalition would face in rebuilding it.
On return to the UK, I went to full-time language training, in preparation for a posting to the Middle East. I spent 3 years working out of an Embassy on counter-terrorism issues. I was able to contribute to the important work of the FCO and to learn about a fascinating country and its people.
Once back in London, I took up my current job - a secondment to the Security Service (MI5) where I recruit and run agents providing information on terrorist networks in the UK. The job is fast paced and it is easy to see how I am contributing to a bigger picture. It has opened my eyes to the particular moral and legal responsibilities associated with intelligence work at home.
I don't really know where I will be a few years from now. I may apply to go overseas again or for a London-based job where I could get some management or policy experience. Whatever job I do next, it's sure to bring new and exciting challenges.
