Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence Analysts process collected raw information to determine its Intelligence value.
Role Profile
Intelligence Analysts are responsible for the collation, interrogation and interpretation of large data sets, using qualitative and quantitative data to support the building of inferences about crime or incidents. Intelligence Analysts conduct this activity to identify trends and patterns in data, which can be used to provide recommendations for the allocation of resources and activity to drive the reduction of crime. Analysts must work objectively, evaluating the reliability of both data and their findings and must be able to clearly communicate their findings to a wide audience.
Intelligence Analysts will tackle a range of challenging problems, sometimes involving a high degree of uncertainty, having to identify all of the intelligence gaps present to inform their recommendations. Intelligence Analysts will usually take on specialisms looking at subjects like Organised Crime Groups, Child Sexual Exploitation, Slavery, Trafficking, Cyber-crime, Extremism or Economic Crime. Intelligence Analysts may look at a range of sources including but not limited to internal data, the internet, radio and electronic transmissions and aerial or satellite imagery.
Standard Responsibilities
The main responsibilities for an Intelligence Analyst include:
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Collate internal data from organisations systems, sometimes using SQL.
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Analyse collated data using Structured Analytical Techniques and specialist software.
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Develop the crime picture in an area through analysis of crime trends in data.
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Disseminate your analysis in formal products to managers and other agencies as presentations and desk-level briefings.
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Monitor the behaviour of individuals or groups, particularly those in Organised Crime Groups or Terrorist networks.
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Review the effectiveness of your analysis to direct future activity.
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Act as an expert witness in court.
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Develop relationships with customers to understand their intelligence requirements.
Required Skills
An Intelligence Analyst requires the following skills:
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Analytical thinking skills
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Thinking and reasoning skills
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Ability to be thorough
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A key eye for detail
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Ability to use your own initiative
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Presentation skills
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Moderate IT skills due to the need to learn internal IT software
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Discreet, as you will need to observe strict non-disclosure rules about your work.
Education Requirements
Generally, Intelligence Analysts will need a degree to meet the minimum education requirements. This degree can usually be within any subject, however, Intelligence, Security and analytical subjects are preferred. Requirements within the armed forces are still currently lower, with the Royal Air Force asking for GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or above or SCE Standard Grade 2/Scottish National.
Salary Expectations
The salary of an Intelligence Analyst is varied. In most structures, an Intelligence Analyst will earn more than an Intelligence Officer, as they are likely to manage a team of Officers. However, in some government teams, such as the National Crime Agency and Mi5, Officers are within the same pay band as Analysts. Meanwhile, in military positions, Officer denotes rank and as such, Officers will manage Analysts.
Below you can see a range of current standard starting salaries for an Intelligence Analyst:
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Police Force: £18,000 - £27,000
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National Crime Agency: £28,000
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MI5: £31,807
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Ministry of Defence: £25,967
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Royal Air Force: £20,810
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Private Sector: £22,000 - £45,000
Personal Development
Intelligence professionals are offered Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities through a number of channels.
Some of these offerings include:
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Intelligence courses, including National Intelligence Analyst Training (NIAT) and the Intelligence Proffesionatioant Programme (IPP). These courses cover Structured Analytical Techniques, report writing, Intelligence theory, etc.
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Briefings, both internal and from partner organisations.
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Presentations
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Conferences, such as the IACA Conference.
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Shadowing colleagues
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Secondments to other teams and organisations.
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e-learning training, such as Intelligence with Steve.
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One-to-one mentoring, from more experienced team colleagues or line managers.