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About the job
Job summary
The Senior Emergency Preparedness Manager (SEPM) provides a source of emergency planning expertise and delivery of strategic leadership in all aspects of public health Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) within a designated Region geography.
The SEPM will ensure, in line with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) principles of Integrated Emergency Management, that responsibilities for emergency planning, resilience and business continuity are discharged effectively within the area of responsibility. The postholder works with a high degree of autonomy and will ensure there are robust arrangements in place to enable UKHSA to make an effective and timely response to any incident and in conjunction with our partner agencies and stake holders.
The policy for the operation of emergency planning will be set by the EPPR Oversight Group. Heads of EPRR, SEPMs, EPMs will work together as a network to ensure cross cover and resilience and will be members of relevant regional and national emergency planning networks.
Location
This role is located in the UKHSA Leeds office, Blenheim House Duncombe Street Leeds LS1 4PL. Please note UKHSA will be relocating to Quarry House Leeds in summer 2024. With regular travel within the geographical area of responsibility and travel elsewhere/nationally as maybe required by the post.
The UK Health Security Agency (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 be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London). Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. 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.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working
Job description
Responsibilities section:
As a Senior Emergency Preparedness Manager your main responsibilities will include:
- To strategically develop, manage and provide an expert and high-quality specialist Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity advice function for the designated business area.
- To lead in the local development of guidance for UKHSA Emergency Preparedness and emergency response strategies. This work should be in compliance with the UKHSA status as a Category 1 responder under the CCA and should follow the national EPRR policies and procedures of UKHSA (e.g. CONOPS and IRP).
- To lead the formulation of policies and strategies (and contribute to national when relevant), contingency guidance and plans, through liaison with the emergency services, the military, other government departments (OGDs), local authorities and other responsible agencies (e.g. public utilities, voluntary agencies, industry and commercial organisations).
- In conjunction with Regions teams, ensure their plans are developed and maintained and there is a consistent and coordinated system of response.
- To strategically develop as necessary local risk specific plans and contribute to UKHSA wide plans.
- To ensure that plans and response systems are tested and exercised and to contribute to and when appropriate design such exercises in line with UKHSA policy and guidance. Also to assess the strategic importance and ensure appropriate involvement in exercises.
- To maintain an upward briefing and co-ordination system for UKHSA enhanced and above and ensure the provision of strategic and operational support to any UKHSA response at NIERP enhanced responses as required.
- To work in collaboration with operational leads to ensure robust preparedness and response arrangements in place across the country, providing mutual aid when required.
- To lead, co-ordinate and contribute to the design as necessary the training of UKHSA staff in their Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity roles. This activity should be in line with UKHSA national policy.
- When required provide a support service to senior colleagues when they attend multi-agency meetings in incidents
- To lead the lessons identified process for major incidents and UKHSA’s involvement in exercises. To design, develop and co-ordinate constructive debriefs for major incidents and dissemination of lessons identified and recommendations for future best practice
- To lead on the development of the EPRR components of local programmes of work.
- May manage a team of EPRR staff and be responsible for day to day work assigned to the team. Support, motivate and develop people within the team and as appropriate, have professional responsibility for other local Emergency Planning Managers.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Please review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):
Essential
- Higher degree (Msc) in a relevant subject or equivalent experience
- High level of expertise in both management practice and practical Emergency Preparedness and response
- Knowledge and experience of chemical, biological and radiological hazards in relation to health protection.
- Knowledge and experience of command and control and multi-agency working.
- Excellent Interpersonal, relationship, Leadership, Influencing and Motivational skills
- Highly motivated with proven track record of achieving results within a set timeframe and the ability to work and make decisions under pressure.
- Project management skills with a proven ability to develop and improve services
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
- Able to work irregular hours as required and willing to undergo SC Level security clearance
Desirable
- Working towards or in possession of PH.D in an aspect of Health or General Emergency Preparedness or relevant experience in a relevant field
- Understanding of financial management
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%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This post will involve an interview by video.
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.
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.
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 will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-10 minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 14th April 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.
Shortlist: w/c 22nd April 2024
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
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