Imagery Analyst

RAF Wyton, PE28 2EA Job Summary As an important part of the Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence (DI) provides intelligence analysis, specialist outputs and advice that supports decision making across government. At the heart of DI is the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI). Everything happens somewhere. NCGI produces intelligence that is referenced in time and space to help decision makers to understand, plan, navigate, and target; to understand what is going on. We are the primary provider of geospatial intelligence, advice and expertise, comprising imagery intelligence, geospatial analysis, geospatial services, foundation data, military mapping and, in partnership with the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and the Meteorological Office, assured data for safety of navigation. We are a national capability, recognisably operating alongside other national intelligence agencies and are the primary interface between the UK and international geospatial intelligence partners. These positions are advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description As an Imagery Analyst (IA) you will participate in the collection, processing and evaluation of raw, unprocessed imagery and deliver robust assessments on a topic relating to your designated portfolio. Assigned to a regional or thematic team or responding to a crisis event and working together with analysts of other disciplines, IAs support key decision makers in Defence and across government. While the primary focus of the role is imagery analysis, you will have access to the full spectrum of intelligence sources to support, enhance and corroborate your assessments. You will be empowered to explore niche and emerging information sources, challenge established processes and contribute to the development of innovative analytical methodologies and technologies. Applicants will have to successfully complete the 16-week residential Defence Imagery Intelligence Analyst Course (DIIAC) (within the first 12 months of being in post). On the course they will be trained in exploiting raw data collected from multiple platforms and, using specialist applications, will be able to identify activity normally undetectable using traditional analytical techniques. Accommodation is provided for those requiring it for the duration of the course. Applicants who have already undertaken and passed the UKIAC or DIIAC will not be required to re-attend. Those who have completed the RFIAC will be assessed to understand their skills and knowledge and may be asked to attend the course. In Defence Intelligence (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. All jobs advertised in DI are subject to fair and open competition. As an Imagery Analyst (IA) you will participate in the collection, processing and evaluation of raw, unprocessed imagery and deliver robust assessments on a topic relating to your designated portfolio. Assigned to a regional or thematic team or responding to a crisis event and working together with analysts of other disciplines, IAs support key decision makers in Defence and across government. While the primary focus of the role is imagery analysis, you will have access to the full spectrum of intelligence sources to support, enhance and corroborate your assessments. You will be empowered to explore niche and emerging information sources, challenge established processes and contribute to the development of innovative analytical methodologies and technologies. Applicants will have to successfully complete the 16-week residential Defence Imagery Intelligence Analyst Course (DIIAC) (within the first 12 months of being in post). On the course they will be trained in exploiting raw data collected from multiple platforms and, using specialist applications, will be able to identify activity normally undetectable using traditional analytical techniques. Accommodation is provided for those requiring it for the duration of the course. Applicants who have already undertaken and passed the UKIAC or DIIAC will not be required to re-attend. Those who have completed the RFIAC will be assessed to understand their skills and knowledge and may be asked to attend the course. In Defence Intelligence (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. All jobs advertised in DI are subject to fair and open competition. Person specification We are seeking individuals who have some experience of any of the following skills: Imagery exploitation Analytical skills Effective communication skills – written and verbal Highly organised with a good eye for detail and accuracy Awareness of / experience using Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) applications Experience of data visualisation applications Experience of handling / cleaning large datasets Experience of programming / coding to automate procedures and / or visualise data, particularly geospatially-referenced data Training is accessible for all the above skills. On appointment, a 2-week induction package will develop the skills essential to successfully pass the 16-week residential Defence Imagery Analyst Course (DIIAC). Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Changing and Improving Seeing the Big Picture 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 (opens in a new window). 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 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 working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 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. Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. At sift , applicants will be scored against their experience using a personal statement (max word count 500). Your personal statement should directly relate to / provide evidence of your experience against any of the 8 bullet points detailed within the person specification element of this advert for which you can demonstrate evidence. The 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 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. Applicants who are successful at sift will be invited to an assessment day. These will be held throughout the week commencing 30th November 2026 . During the day candidates will be tested through a number of assessments and exercises. Throughout these, civil service behaviours will be assessed. Please note, no preparation will be required for these. The Behaviours That Will Be Assessed Are As Follows Leadership Changing and improving Seeing the big picture During the assessment day, candidates will also take the Imagery Analysis Aptitude Assessment (IAAA). Candidates who do not pass this will not be able to proceed further in this recruitment campaign. Candidates who have previously applied and not passed the IAAA will be eligible for one further attempt to pass. Two failures would mean you would not be able to proceed further in this recruitment campaign or re-apply in future. Candidates who have already passed the IAAA will not be required to complete it again. Further Information 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. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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 out. 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. Feedback 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 and Experience. Security Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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 basic (or equivalent) 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 requirements Open to UK nationals only. Working for the Civil Service 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. 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 Inclusion The 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 applicants Job Contact Name : NCGI Recruitment Team Email : [email protected] Recruitment team Email : [email protected] Further information Please 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: [email protected].