OSINFO - Open Sources Information

BEHIND THE JOB AD

* Intelligence officer

Where: Canberra

Salary: $60,964 to $81,763

Closing Date: October 20

Enquiries: Intelligence Officer/Operations

Officer recruitment (02) 6261 2121

WHAT makes someone yearn to become a spy -- and what qualities do people need to secure a place in Australia's intelligence services? Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to be single. Or male. Or speak a foreign language. Or be of any particular age.

But, as the latest ``extraordinary work for extraordinary people'' recruitment campaign for the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) makes clear, aspiring spooks do require certain qualities, skills and sensibilities.

``Intelligence officers display personal courage, are highly motivated and have an innate sense of curiosity,'' according to the ASIS website. As Australia's equivalent of the Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) or the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), ASIS conducts a wide range of intelligence activities.

These include collecting and distributing secret intelligence from covert human sources (informants) overseas, swapping intelligence with foreign liaison partners and providing intelligence to the Australian Department of Defence and our deployments overseas.

Operatives ``enjoy connecting with people from different cultures and overcoming obstacles to deliver results (for) the role of an intelligence officer is challenging and exciting -- it's a job not just anyone can do.''

ASIS launched its most recent recruitment campaign using a photograph depicting a shadowy figure cycling down the backstreets of a foreign country. ``How do you get him to speak to you and give you the information you need?'' the accompanying text implores. ``Could you be an intelligence officer?'

Some applicants are undoubtedly seduced by the prospects of espionage in exotic places.

According to an article in the UK's Daily Telegraph, applications for its own security services increased dramatically when the BBC first broadcast its glossy series Spooks.

But in the post-September 11 world, prospective intelligence officers are mostly drawn by the opportunity to help protect and promote Australia's national interests and, in some cases, help save Australian lives.

For example, ``Ramesh'' notes that prior to joining ASIS he had worked in several desk jobs. ``But I always had an interest in travel and languages, having studied a language throughout high school and university, and I was looking for something that gave me the opportunity to get out and meet people and to really be challenged,'' he writes on his employer's website.

``Becoming an intelligence officer with ASIS appealed to me because of the opportunities for travel, the variety of the job, and the potential to move across a range of different areas and issues.

``It sounds corny, but I was also attracted by the opportunity to look after Australia's interests. After my training as an intelligence officer, I was lucky enough to undertake short-term work overseas on counter-terrorism issues.

``This was later followed by a longer-term posting focused on a range of intelligence collection priorities. The responsibility and challenge of this first posting was initially daunting, but I really valued the opportunity to work in such a totally different environment, and the autonomy that I was given to plan and manage operations.

``Since then I've worked in several different areas of ASIS headquarters and have been provided the training and support to undertake these varied roles. In the coming months I am heading overseas again on another posting, for which my wife and I are currently preparing.''

Australia's newest spies are likely to be people who have ``personal presence and impact'', with the ability to build strong relationships and mix in different crowds.

High levels of maturity and self-management skills, with excellent judgment and the ability to assess risks, along with Australian citizenship, are also required.

Those who apply come from a diversity of backgrounds with both ``specialists'' and ``generalists'' on the wish list -- including those with arts, science, engineering, law, IT, finance and economics degrees.

Because matters of national security are at stake, the ``competitive and rigorous'' ASIS screening process is more like a seven-month series of interrogations rather than a simple sit-down selection panel interview.

Potential recruits must complete a written application, undergo a written test, attend an interview and agree to referee checks. They must also submit to psychological testing, attend an assessment centre, undergo security assessment and take part in medical assessment, including testing for prohibited substances.

And even at the earliest stages of the process, they must keep their lips zipped.

``It is better not to raise the topic of your application with anyone and if questions are raised, to say as little as possible,'' warns the advice to potential recruits.

``We understand this can be difficult, particularly with friends and family (and it) may seem overly cautious or unreasonable. However, there are important reasons why this is the case, which will become clear when you meet with an ASIS officer.''

If you don't make the cut, you will most likely never find out why.

``Due to the number of applications received and important national security considerations we do not provide feedback.''