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About the job
Job summary
The EPRR Head of Business Continuity post is part of the Preparedness division’s senior management team, working on a wide range of EPRR preparedness and response activities, and this role has a particular emphasis on UKHSA’s Business Continuity planning. This post requires a high degree of autonomy and requires regular high-level decision making on a wide range of complex topics, which have the potential to have a significant impact on UKHSA’s ability to deliver on its ready to respond strategic objective.
The post holder should have excellent communication skills, diplomacy and influence based on an extensive knowledge and experience of the planning, development, and delivery of Business Continuity capability in complex environments. We are looking for someone with knowledge and experience of emergency preparedness, resilience, and response (EPRR) and a good working knowledge of multi-agency preparedness and response activities. The post holder will be required to provide expert advice for any Business Continuity incident across the Agency, which will involve an on-call requirement.
The EPRR Head of Business Continuity has overall responsibility for ensuring that an effective Business Continuity management system is in place for UKHSA, and will be responsible for the leadership, implementation and management of a complex and demanding Business Continuity programme, incorporating multiple complex projects. The role demands supervision and support for the delivery of online and face to face activities, as well as travel throughout the UK to attend meetings. The post holder will be required to respond to Business Continuity incidents. Occasional travel abroad may be required, to attend various venues for emergency preparedness events, which will require a flexible approach to working hours. The Head of Business Continuity will be required to represent UKHSA EPRR at a broad range of specialist professional events, involving national and international delegates from expert multi-agency groups.
Job description
The role requires the leadership and management of the EPRR Business Continuity Team (BCT) involved in managing and developing Business Continuity activities to maintain and improve organisational resilience within UKHSA. Accordingly, the post holder will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the UKHSA Business Continuity Management System (BCMS), with oversight and accountability to allocate budget and resources appropriately across a diverse scheme of work.
As this post will involve supporting preparedness planning in support of critical national infrastructure and any BC incident response, the post holder will be required to submit for security clearance. In addition, the post holder will be required to be part of the EPRR On-Call roster which forms part of the UKHSA’s EPRR 24/7/365 out of hours response capability.
- EPRR Head of Business Continuity is a senior leader across the EPRR Directorate and plays a key leadership role in advocating the coordination and coherence across UKHSA’s aim and business objectives, with a particular focus on EPRR.
- Responsible for the leadership and management of UKHSA’s Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). The post holder will have direct responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and management of UKHSA’s Business Continuity system, in order to raise preparedness for the UK’s health security operational preparedness response.
- Provide expert advice to support Business Continuity incident response across the Agency
- Responsible for regular reviews of Business Continuity programmes and the production/authoring of reports as required
- Responsible for leading and developing the programme for continuous improvement activity for the Business Continuity programme.
- Chairing various groups, including the Business Continuity Working Group.
- Responsibility for the line management, coaching & mentoring of the EPRR Business Continuity Team, including welfare and personal development.
- Produce regular reports on progress against objectives and contribution to strategic goals.
- Proactively establish and maintain excellent relationships with relevant stakeholders.
- Hold delegated responsibility for the designated preparedness Business Continuity budget, allocating budget and resources to projects and programmes as appropriate.
- Assist in the EPRR Directorate’s commercial strategy and business planning processes. Identify and follow up on new business opportunities and enquiries. Develop and maintain business networks and contacts, both nationally and internationally.
- Establish and maintain networks with key collaborators including (but not restricted to) UKHSA, the NHS England, Devolved Administrations, awarding bodies and international organisations such as WHO (World Health Organization) etc
- Undertake work in accordance with UKHSA Health and Safety policies and procedures and to work within Quality Systems that are applicable to the projects.
- In line with other responsibilities, perform tasks assigned or objectives set by the line manager commensurate with the grade.
- Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
Other
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Locations
This role can be based at any of UKHSA's 4 core HQs located in: Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf) or at our Scientific Campus Site in Porton Down, Salisbury.
Some business travel may be required to other UKHSA offices and other locations nationally and internationally.
This role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas
INTRODUCTION
At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work. Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.
As a hybrid worker, you will usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 2 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1,250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
- Educated to master's degree level or equivalent level of vocational expertise within the Business Continuity discipline
- Business Continuity qualification (CBCI, ISO22301:2019, or similar) or membership (MBCI etc.) or evidence of commencing a qualification pathway upon appointment.
- Recent experience in leading the design, delivery, implementation, and management of Business Continuity capability at organisational level
- Proven experience of leading others in a senior managerial role including performance management, carrying out appraisals and development
- Experience of delivering large-scale service improvements in a complex environment
- Experience of strategy and business plan development including writing of Business cases
- Experience of influencing and working with senior stakeholders both within the organisation and with key external partners
- Excellent communicator with superior writing and presentation skills (face to face and virtual environments)
- Highly effective delegation and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage competing demands (self and others)
- Ability to work effectively and manage a remote team in a fast-paced and complex environment, dealing with uncertainty and problem-solving solutions
- Flexible approach to working arrangements and able to work away from home base; including possession of a current passport and able to travel by air to international events
- Maintain a programme of continuous professional development
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable Criteria
- Recent experience of emergency preparedness, resilience, and response (EPRR) in general, or a good working knowledge of multi-agency preparedness and response activities.
- Experience working in a public-sector organisation and an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare public health policy.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will also be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1,250 words outlining why you will be suitable for the role.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
Please use your personal statement to demonstrate how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for this role, in reference to the essential criteria detailed in the person specification section.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview via Teams.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Candidates selected for interview will be requested to provide a 10 minute presentation, details will be shared before the interview.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 09/04/2024– unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews date: A virtual interview (via Microsoft Teams), on Thursday 18 April 2024.
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Security clearance level requirement
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance. If the candidate does not hold this level of clearance it can be applied for on appointment.
People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
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