Managing an analytical team or a specific area of business within the analytical function
Senior intelligence analyst – a day in the life
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Case study
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Working day
My day includes liaising with colleagues regarding new requests for analysis and, when relevant, setting terms of reference.
I oversee all analysis being undertaken. I use this as an opportunity to mentor and develop staff, and also to quality assure products.
The quality assurance function I carry out is important, as all analytical work must use best practice and meet the national intelligence standards. This means that the products can be relied on to inform decision-making at all levels in the force.
Because I am managing a team of analysts, I have to feed into the decision-making around the deployment of the analytical resources, both for my team and within the force as a whole. This information allows us to provide analytical support to all levels within the force.
I also work with colleagues in other forces and partner agencies to share data and make sure that we are able to work well in collaboration.
The importance placed on continuing professional development (CPD) means that I also look to provide CPD opportunities for staff, particularly on the constant changes around communications data.
Another element of my role is to investigate and implement new software solutions for intelligence analysis.
When considering a role as a senior intelligence analyst, you have to be ready to leave the analysis work behind
Hours
My force operates a flexible working policy for my role, so I can work any time between 7am and 7pm on Monday to Friday. There is no shift working and I am not asked to be on call.
Other forces might ask their senior intelligence analysts to work different hours and with different requirements.
Location
The role is office-based, but I do have to travel to attend briefings on new work and cases. I also visit analysts in other offices around the force area.
Training
When you take up a post within intelligence, either in policing or in one of our law enforcement intelligence professionalisation programme (IPP) partner agencies, the emphasis is on developing your existing skills and abilities. This will help ensure you become a professional, fully competent intelligence support officer with transferable skills.
Training is varied according to individual and organisational needs. It may include classroom-based learning, e-learning, shadowing, on-the-job learning, practical experience, self-study and self-reflection.
You will have the opportunity to undertake the IPP, which will give you professional recognition of your competence. All individuals are required to commit to continuing professional development to ensure that they remain up to date in their role.
Intelligence professionalisation programme (IPP)
The IPP is a specialised development programme for those working specifically within intelligence, either in policing or one of our law enforcement IPP partner agencies.
IPP is a development programme that is between 12 and 18 months long. It consists of a national learning curriculum and a set of minimum standards of competence (assessment criteria).
Individuals are assessed against these criteria by an appointed IPP assessor. Once the individual’s IPP assessor has agreed that the individual has met all of the relevant standards, they will be awarded a certificate of competence.
This certificate is transferable to another IPP organisation and is valid for three years. At present, you cannot undertake the IPP unless you are employed in an intelligence function in either policing or in a partner IPP organisation. However, this is not a barrier to employment.
If you do not already hold the IPP certificate, you will be given the opportunity to complete the programme upon employment.
The IPP is the nationally recognised certificate of competence across all of the IPP partner agencies. Completing the IPP is a mandatory requirement for some organisations.
Advice
When considering a role as a senior intelligence analyst, you have to be ready to leave the analysis work behind. You don’t get to do much analysis work when you become a senior intelligence analyst, as your skills are required elsewhere and in a different way to support the analysts in your team.
Next steps
- Read more about the intelligence career pathway
- Explore other career pathways
- Information on joining the police
