Accessibility Specialist

Salary

£60,358, with the opportunity to qualify for additional allowances and a skills‑related payment, under the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (GDDPCF) – formerly the (DDaT) Digital, Data and Technology Capability Framework.

We support full time, part time, compressed hours, and other flexible working patterns. We recognise the importance of achieving a positive work‑home balance and will work with colleagues to consider flexible working arrangements where possible, taking individual circumstances and business needs into account. Homeworking opportunities may be available, however this role is primarily office‑based due to the sensitive nature of the work, and home working is not guaranteed.

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing, and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe.

A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

As an Accessibility Specialist, you’ll provide expert, practical advice to ensure the organisation’s digital products and services are inclusive, usable and compliant. This includes technologies that directly support mission‑critical activity, where reliability, usability, and trust are essential. The role sits within the Digital Accessibility Team in Experience Design and acts as a dedicated subject‑matter expert for accessibility. Responsibility covers both new and existing digital products, supporting teams to remove barriers and meet accessibility obligations throughout the software development lifecycle.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you’ll work as an internal consultant across multiple products and delivery teams. Ownership of accessibility within assigned projects includes early risk identification, proportionate mitigation advice, and accountability for the quality and impact of recommendations. Sound professional judgement is essential, particularly when operating in complex or sensitive delivery environments. Managing your workload and knowing what to prioritise are important parts of the role, supported by clear governance and professional standards.

Close collaboration with designers, engineers, testers, product managers and researchers across the development lifecycle. Activities include manual and automated accessibility testing using assistive technologies, alongside design and code review. You’ll produce clear audit findings, conformance reports, and accessibility statements, and contribute to critiques, reviews, and delivery planning to embed accessibility from the outset.

The scope of the role is broad and influential, within an assigned product group, contributing to wider programmes and organisational priorities. You’ll work closely with a range of stakeholders, providing expert input and constructively challenging decisions where accessibility risks arise. Through knowledge sharing and capability building, you’ll help improve organisational accessibility maturity. This work supports the delivery of accessible internal digital services in critical areas, directly contributing to the organisation’s wider mission.

We’re looking for an experienced accessibility practitioner with a solid grounding in applied digital accessibility. Experience may come from a dedicated Accessibility Specialist role, or from applying accessibility within a broader role such as UI, UX, design, engineering, or testing. In either case, you bring practical experience of embedding accessibility into real digital products and a passion for inclusive, user‑centred practice.

Well‑developed technical and consultancy skills are essential. This includes the ability to scope and deliver accessibility work end to end, manage workload…