STA, 21 May 2019 - Intelligence work is normally an activity shrouded in secrecy, but the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency (SOVA) has made an unprecedented decision to enlist new agents in a very public fashion - by publishing a job ad in newspapers and online.
The agency is looking to fill seven job vacancies, including for analysts, tech staff and legal personnel, as well as two jobs described as "acquisition of data with covert cooperation".
The agency said it was looking for "dynamic and motivated staff interested in working in intelligence and security, motivated by the challenges of the work, and willing to adapt to the special nature of the job."
Unlike other government agencies, SOVA is permitted by law to hire people directly and eschew a competitive hiring process, but it has now decided to go public with job postings for the first time in its history.
The job ad, published on Tuesday, is "another step towards the stated goal of improved transparency," SOVA said on its web page.
SOVA director Rajko Kozmelj told the media in the evening that this was a "step towards rejuvenating the agency", while it would also help prevent nepotism in staffing.
Asked whether such an approach would allow SOVA to check all candidates thoroughly enough, he said this would definitely be done.
"Everybody will have to be checked. Even if it takes time, all the requisite procedures will be carried out," Kozmelj told the Kanal A TV channel.
He indicated that a "nearby country" had been negligent in this respect. "We cannot afford to have things go wrong here," he added.
