Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at University Hospitals Sussex for a passionate and strategic leader to take on the role of Head of EPRR and Business Continuity.
As a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, UHSX plays a key role in regional emergency planning. You will lead on ensuring compliance with the NHSE EPRR Framework, develop and implement Trust-wide emergency and business continuity plans, and champion a culture of resilience across all sites.
The successful candidate will be a subject matter expert in EPRR, with significant experience managing emergency planning and incidents at operational, tactical and strategic levels. You'll work closely with senior leaders, clinical and operational teams, and external partners to ensure preparedness, develop training programmes, and lead incident debriefs and assurance processes.
If you're driven to strengthen NHS emergency readiness and thrive in high-stakes, collaborative environments--this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Apply now to help shape a more resilient future at UHSX.
Main duties of the job
Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) UHSX is designated as a category 1 responder with key emergency response duties. Under the Act UHSX is required to ensure it has robust plans for EPRR including business continuity, critical and major incidents. In addition, the Trust is required to meet the core standards for EPRR as set out in the NHSE EPRR Framework 2022.
Category 1 responders are those organisations at the core of emergency response, emergency services, local authorities and NHS bodies example; Foundation Trusts, and are subject to the full set of civil protection duties.
The role of the EPRR Service is to ensure the organisation complies with its statutory obligations with regard to Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response and to ensure the Trust maintains its operational capability as far as is reasonably practical during an emergency/incident.
To promote and embed a culture of EPRR across UHSX, which is owned across the Trust. Building organisational and EPRR Service capability and capacity, to meet the needs of the organisation and delivery of the Trust's EPRR work programme.
The EPRR Service works with partner organisations to support system resilience and to contribute to forums enabling sharing of best practice, peer review, and collaborative working.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Establish effective communication networks and engage with key internal and external stakeholders including Hospital Directors, Divisional teams and Corporate Senior teams, other category 1 responders, EPRR leads within the Sussex ICB, to ensure effective partnerships and co-operative working.
- Requirement for providing and receiving highly complex information which is multi stranded and requires the use of motivational skills to ensure buy in and engagement from all relevant stakeholders.
- Develops and maintains strong and productive working relationships with Emergency Preparedness leads across a range of agencies.
- Act as the Trust expert in EPRR matters and provide expert analysis of highly complex EPRR matters which would involve comparison and critique of a wide range of options where there is no defined course of action and expert opinion/advice differs.
- To lead the Trusts Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response agenda and to ensure the Trust discharges its responsibilities in relation to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
- To ensure that robust processes are in place to maintain and develop the Trusts Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR) as defined by NHS England EPRR Framework and Standards 2022.
For further information, please see the Job Description and Person Specification
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Establish effective communication networks and engage with key internal and external stakeholders including Hospital Directors, Divisional teams and Corporate Senior teams, other category 1 responders, EPRR leads within the Sussex ICB, to ensure effective partnerships and co-operative working.
- Requirement for providing and receiving highly complex information which is multi stranded and requires the use of motivational skills to ensure buy in and engagement from all relevant stakeholders.
- Develops and maintains strong and productive working relationships with Emergency Preparedness leads across a range of agencies.
- Act as the Trust expert in EPRR matters and provide expert analysis of highly complex EPRR matters which would involve comparison and critique of a wide range of options where there is no defined course of action and expert opinion/advice differs.
- To lead the Trusts Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response agenda and to ensure the Trust discharges its responsibilities in relation to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
- To ensure that robust processes are in place to maintain and develop the Trusts Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR) as defined by NHS England EPRR Framework and Standards 2022.
For further information, please see the Job Description and Person Specification
Person Specification
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Experience of developing and delivering training programmes across organisations. Facilitation and training skills
- Ability to prepare comprehensive, fit for purpose and audience specific reports and briefing papers.
- Ability to prepare and deliver training, simulating exercises and presentations on EPRR / BC to staff at all levels with credibility.
Desirable
- Knowledge of public services and partnerships
Experience and Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to master's level or demonstrable equivalent experience and training, e.g., Diploma in Health Emergency Planning (DipHEPRR) or equivalent EPRR qualification
- Significant experience of EPRR or related emergency planning experience
- Highly specialist knowledge of the diverse range of policies, practices and services related to Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response, e.g., Business Continuity, CBRN and Flu Pandemic planning
- Extensive knowledge of governance and EPRR frameworks, particularly but not exclusively within Health
- Experience of multi-agency working, and Command and Control
Desirable
- Detailed understanding of healthcare policy and implications of this for the Trust
- Experience of working in a complex public sector environment
People Management and Development
Essential
- Able to influence, negotiate and direct across all disciplines, at all levels throughout the Trust and with external partners.
- Self-reliant, decision maker with good organisational skills and a methodical, flexible proactive approach to work.
- Ability to anticipate business continuity challenges, plan the response and to minimise interruption to services to patients
- Able to prioritise and work under pressure to tight deadlines and manage competing priorities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to accept differing points of view.
- Developing effective working relationships at a senior level.
- Ability to demonstrate strong leadership skills
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of implementing the national Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response requirements as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and NHSE EPRR Framework
- Experience of interpreting these and converting them into local policies and plans to support service delivery and continuity
- Practical experience of managing emergency incidents at an operational, tactical and strategic level
- Proven track record of delivering Emergency Planning and / or Business Continuity agenda, including managing exercises; developing plans and delivering training in a complex multi-agency environment.
- Able to demonstrate strategic thinking and develop/formulate long term strategic plans.
- Understanding of the roles of the emergency services, Local Authority, and the Voluntary Sector in responding to incidents.
- Experience of leadership, and team development building capability and capacity.
- Ability to interpret and collate complex data from a variety of sources and to report this in a way that is understood.
- Experience of working with NHS risk management processes.
- Robust understanding of the politically sensitive and potentially contentious nature of this role.
Equality Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Person Specification
Specific Requirements
Essential
- Experience of developing and delivering training programmes across organisations. Facilitation and training skills
- Ability to prepare comprehensive, fit for purpose and audience specific reports and briefing papers.
- Ability to prepare and deliver training, simulating exercises and presentations on EPRR / BC to staff at all levels with credibility.
Desirable
- Knowledge of public services and partnerships
Experience and Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to master's level or demonstrable equivalent experience and training, e.g., Diploma in Health Emergency Planning (DipHEPRR) or equivalent EPRR qualification
- Significant experience of EPRR or related emergency planning experience
- Highly specialist knowledge of the diverse range of policies, practices and services related to Emergency Planning, Resilience and Response, e.g., Business Continuity, CBRN and Flu Pandemic planning
- Extensive knowledge of governance and EPRR frameworks, particularly but not exclusively within Health
- Experience of multi-agency working, and Command and Control
Desirable
- Detailed understanding of healthcare policy and implications of this for the Trust
- Experience of working in a complex public sector environment
People Management and Development
Essential
- Able to influence, negotiate and direct across all disciplines, at all levels throughout the Trust and with external partners.
- Self-reliant, decision maker with good organisational skills and a methodical, flexible proactive approach to work.
- Ability to anticipate business continuity challenges, plan the response and to minimise interruption to services to patients
- Able to prioritise and work under pressure to tight deadlines and manage competing priorities.
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to accept differing points of view.
- Developing effective working relationships at a senior level.
- Ability to demonstrate strong leadership skills
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of implementing the national Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response requirements as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and NHSE EPRR Framework
- Experience of interpreting these and converting them into local policies and plans to support service delivery and continuity
- Practical experience of managing emergency incidents at an operational, tactical and strategic level
- Proven track record of delivering Emergency Planning and / or Business Continuity agenda, including managing exercises; developing plans and delivering training in a complex multi-agency environment.
- Able to demonstrate strategic thinking and develop/formulate long term strategic plans.
- Understanding of the roles of the emergency services, Local Authority, and the Voluntary Sector in responding to incidents.
- Experience of leadership, and team development building capability and capacity.
- Ability to interpret and collate complex data from a variety of sources and to report this in a way that is understood.
- Experience of working with NHS risk management processes.
- Robust understanding of the politically sensitive and potentially contentious nature of this role.
Equality Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
