Senior Internal Auditor, British Intelligence Agencies
MI5
£62.9k
More information about location
4-5 days a week in office
UK's domestic and foreign intelligence services
Posted today
UK's domestic and foreign intelligence services
1001+ employees
Posted today
£62.9k
More information about location
4-5 days a week in office
1001+ employees
Company mission
MI5, MI6 and GCHQ work together to protect the UK from a range of national security and overseas threats, keeping citizens safe.
Role
Who you are
- We’re looking for experienced Senior Internal Auditors with a broad and demonstrable range of audit experience to support the Deputy Head of Internal Audit. Your experience will be underpinned by a relevant professional qualification, such as IIA, CCAB or equivalent. While specialist expertise in technology audit is not essential, you will have some technology audit experience and a keen interest in further growing your skills in this area further. To demonstrate your technology audit knowledge, a CISA qualification or equivalent is desirable but not essential
- Whatever your specialism, you’ll understand and evaluate business arrangements quickly, applying sound professional judgement to identify key risks and controls. You’ll be confident delivering complex, high- and medium-risk focussed internal audits in ambiguous and evolving environments. Utilising your experience, you’ll demonstrate knowledge of applying audit testing methodologies, data analysis, root cause analysis, and the ability to produce clear, high-quality audit reports. This includes reviewing the design of control processes and their operating effectiveness, with a focus on improving both efficiency and effectiveness. You’ll be a credible communicator, able to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including taking a lead role when working with senior stakeholders
- As a senior member of the team, you may also manage a small number of newly qualified Internal Auditors or those undertaking the qualification. You’ll use your people management experience to lead a small team, supporting their development to deliver audit assignments at pace, manage competing priorities, and adhere to time and quality commitments
- You’ll have a diverse and broad internal audit background. You will have experience of auditing a range of corporate and operational areas and some experience of auditing against a range of IT general risks and controls. This may include access management, change management, disaster recovery and resilience, vulnerability and patch management, software development, and service management
- Broader depth of knowledge and experience in relation to areas such as cyber security, technology infrastructure, cloud computing, AI, and data governance are desirable but not essential. You will be keen to develop further your technical skills and keep up to date with emerging technologies to meet the desirable aspects of this role
- You may have experience of providing assurance over a transformation programme, but this is not essential. You will have proactive mindset and an ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You will be comfortable in successfully negotiating and communicating with customers at all levels to deliver difficult messages and influence change in a collaborative way
- To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality
What the job involves
- We are seeking experienced Senior Internal Auditors to join our Internal Audit and Consultancy function. This is a high-impact role where you’ll have the opportunity to lead and deliver a diverse portfolio of work to provide customers with high-quality assurance and advisory services to enhance risk management, governance and internal control arrangements. You’ll also be involved in technology audit activity, reflecting its growing importance
- We’re a diverse team that works as a trusted business partner with the Intelligence Agencies, protecting value, delivering insight, and developing talent and future leaders. We have privileged exposure to the work of the community as a whole and take pride in delivering high quality and impactful services, while continuously seeking opportunities to innovate. It’s challenging, varied and meaningful work that you simply won’t find anywhere else
- Visit our internal audit page to find out more about the team
- Working at pace, you’ll manage and deliver internal audit assurance and advisory work to MI5, MI6 and GCHQ across a wide range of areas. This will include topics that are truly unique to the intelligence community, such as reviews of mission-focused capabilities and adherence to the legal framework underpinning our mission
- Your contribution will make a real difference. You’ll be working on a variety of complex audits and assignments, which could range from leading and overseeing a small team to deliver a project, to conducting independent reviews in line with quality, budget and agreed timescales. Your ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders to deliver impactful outcomes will ensure success in this role
- You will be based in London or Cheltenham. The ability to travel within the UK is essential, with the possibility of occasional overseas travel
Application process
- Pre-screening questions, which will ensure you meet our initial eligibility to apply
- Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) in which you rate the appropriateness of responses to a series of short scenarios
- Application sift, which will assess your motivation for the role, the organisation and your relevant experience
- Online interview, which will include motivational questions, technical questions and competency questions
- If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, subject to vetting
Salary benchmarks
Our take
The British Intelligence Agencies - GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 play crucial roles in protecting the nation from a range of security threats. By focusing on counterterrorism, espionage, and cyber threats, the unified force works to safeguard the public and support law enforcement agencies. Its work, largely behind the scenes, is pivotal in ensuring national security.
With origins dating back to the 19th century, each of the British Intelligence Agencies plays a specific role within the security services. GCHQ focuses on signal intelligence gathering and information assurance, MI5 on counterterrorism and national security, whilst MI6 is focused on foreign intelligence and overseas security. This evolution into three specific organisations reflects the agency's ability to stay ahead of emerging security challenges, adjusting its strategy and operations as needed.
As technology and global threats change, the British Intelligence Agencies' approaches continue to evolve, ensuring the UK's security remains a top priority. With its deep expertise and ongoing adaptation, they are major key players in protecting national and international interests, whilst responding to complex security dynamics.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Company benefits
- Merit awards – we have a merit award system to recognise exceptional contributions by individuals or team
- Flexible working – opportunities to work part-time, compressed hours or as a job share are available, dependent on the role and business needs
- Pension – we understand the importance of saving for retirement and offer a desirable pension scheme, which gives you a guaranteed pension based on career average earnings
- Annual leave – our employees are entitled to 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years’ service. In addition to this, employees are entitled to public and privilege holidays. Part-time employees receive the same entitlement calculated on a pro-rata basis
- Maternity and paternity leave – we offer maternity and paternity leave over and above the statutory entitlements
- Voluntary service leave – we offer special leave for our employees who wish to undertake voluntary work
- Rented accommodation loan – moving house to take up an offer of employment can be expensive. We offer new joiners the opportunity to take out an interest-free loan of up to £2,500, via our benevolent fund, to assist with the financial burden of relocating into privately rented accommodation. You will be sent an application for the loan at the point of receiving a final offer of employment
- Season ticket loan – we recognise that travel expenses from your home to the office can be significant, so we offer an interest-free season ticket loan which can be used for travel, car park costs or the purchase of a bicycle
- On-site facilities – there is a gym, restaurant, and coffee bar at some locations
- Clubs and societies – we offer a range of sports clubs, fitness classes, societies, and language training facilities
- Childcare Vouchers – we offer two childcare voucher schemes which provide a simple and cost-effective way for employees to receive help towards the cost of childcare
- Eye Voucher Scheme – we offer eye care vouchers and a financial contribution towards prescription glasses
- Physiotherapy – we offer subsidised in-house physiotherapy
- Personal learning – all our staff can undertake professional development to improve their skills and performance in the workplace
Company HQ
Manchester, UK
Articles
Leadership
Ken McCallum
(Director General)An MI5 Officer with over 25 years of experience in national security and intelligence. Their career has spanned roles in counterterrorism, cyber security, and leading MI5's strategic response to major incidents. They were appointed Director General in 2020 and previously served as Deputy Director General and Director General of Strategy.
Blaise Metreweli
(Chief)Blaise joined the Service in 1999 and has had a range of roles, most recently Director General Technology & Innovation (Q). She has spent most of her career operationally in the Middle East & Europe.
Anne Keast-Butler
(Director)Became the first female Director of GCHQ in May 2023. Previously served as Deputy Director General at MI5, where they led operational and investigative work, including responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With over 30 years in national security, they have held key roles in MI5, GCHQ, and Whitehall, including launching the National Security Programme.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at British Intelligence Agencies
- At the Intelligence Agencies, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking, and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are underrepresented in our workforce, such as women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Find out more about our culture, working environment, and diversity on our website: https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/life-at-gchq/diversity-inclusion.html
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