Government Communications Headquarters jobs in Cheltenham GL53

Job Title: Language Talent Programme - Russian or Mandarin

Location: Cheltenham, Manchester or London

Salary: £6,380 to £7,059 dependent on location for the 11-week programm

Flexible working: this programme is full-time and office-based for the duration of the 11 weeks, to ensure you get the most out of your time with us. Full time attendance is 36 to 37 hours per week, with some specific hourly attendance required e.g. for training courses. You’ll be notified of these well in advance.

Looking for a career that combines your passion for language with the opportunity to make real-world impact? Our Language Talent Programme (LTP) could be the gateway to that future. On this 11-week paid programme, you’ll experience a mix of dedicated training and exposure to real operations as you discover what a career with us could involve. And if you like what you see, you could transition straight into a permanent, full-time role as a Language Specialist at the end (subject to a language test and competency interview).

You don’t need any previous experience or technical ability to apply. However, you will have, or be expected to obtain, a 2:2 degree or above in Russian or Mandarin. You’ll either be in the final year of your degree in Autumn 2026, or have graduated in Summer 2023 or later. Adaptable, curious and collaborative, you’ll be keen to learn and explore a future with either MI5 or GCHQ. Importantly, you’ll be genuinely interested in a career with us and committed to starting immediately should you decide the role is right for you.

Across the 11 weeks, you’ll analyse, transcribe and translate foreign language materials, learn to use our language tools, and get privileged access to operational intelligence. Plus, with a dedicated mentor and guidance from a collaborative and welcoming team, you’ll develop the skills and experience we’ll be assessing at the end of the programme. Should you be successful, you’ll start immediately in a full-time role.

Before you register: 

Due to the sensitive nature of our work, there are some eligibility criteria you’ll need to meet (as well as some recommendations we’d make to aid your registration and any future application). You will need to: 

• be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read more on our eligibility criteria for GCHQ and MI5
• comply with our no drugs policy from the point of application and if successful at the end of the recruitment process, you will need to undergo Developed Vetting. Learn more about our drugs policy and the vetting process for GCHQ and MI5
• familiarise yourself with our guidance on the use of AI in applications for GCHQ and MI5
• complete your registration, application and all recruitment processes from within the UK

The LTP application window opens on Monday 3 August 2026. Please submit your application as soon as you can as we do reserve the right to close the role once sufficient applications have been made.

Register your interest

Before applications open on Monday 3 August, we’re inviting eligible candidates who are interested in joining the programme to register their interest. As part of the registration of interest, you will be invited to an online virtual insight event, to learn more about the organisations and the programmes, before the application window opens.

Please note: a registration of interest does not constitute a job application and has no impact on the recruitment process. Anyone who registers and later decides to apply will need to complete an application form once the application window opens. We welcome applications from everyone and assess solely on merit.

Register your interest here.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Graduate, Internship
Contract length: 11 weeks

Pay: £580.00 per week

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Casual dress
• Discounted or free food
• Flexitime
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person