Candidate information: equal opportunities

Our commitment

GCHQ values the diversity that individuals bring to the organisation. We therefore particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority groups as they are currently under-represented.

We only select on the basis of ability, qualifications and fitness for the work. Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified individuals irrespective of sex, marital status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, disability, religion, politics or sexual orientation.

National Security

The need to safeguard national security is paramount in GCHQ. In particular there are nationality rules governing eligibility for employment in the Department.

Outside that constraint, it's GCHQ policy that there shall be no discrimination between members of staff. This policy applies in all areas of recruitment, deployment, training, performance assessment, promotion, career progression, pay, redundancy and retirement.

Part-time staff members

Unless there's a justifiable reason, we won't treat part-time staff differently. We also work on the presumption that all posts are suitable for part-time working and/or job-sharing unless there is a valid reason to the contrary. This doesn't apply to shift-working posts where it is accepted that special considerations apply.

Where the need exists and resources permit, every effort will be made to ensure that part-time members of staff have the same access to training.

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