About this role
Job summary
The Capabilities Manager provides national specialist leadership for emergency preparedness, resilience and response across all English Ambulance Trusts. The role ensures a continual state of readiness for Significant and Major Incidents--planned or unplanned--while safeguarding continuity of core services. It involves interpreting and implementing National NHS policy, shaping strategic, tactical and operational practice, and developing emergency preparedness strategies aligned to the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) and national EPRR guidance. The post holder builds strong multi-agency partnerships across healthcare, local authorities, emergency services, the military, government bodies and private-sector partners, while also leading workstreams, contributing to national debates, and designing specialist training for internal and external audiences.
The role also includes acting as a National Interagency Liaison Officer (NILO) to strengthen interoperability in complex or high-threat environments, and serving as a National Tactical or Strategic Advisor to senior leaders across all Ambulance Trusts. This requires providing autonomous specialist advice during major or complex incidents, participating in the national on-call rota, and monitoring commander performance against national standards.
Main duties of the job
Ensure the Trust and all English Ambulance Trusts remain compliant with the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), responsive to emerging hazards and threats, and able to meet local, regional and national resilience requirements. Provide evidence of continual improvement in national emergency preparedness and incident response, aligned with current legislation and national guidance. Prepare, maintain and regularly update event and contingency plans, ensuring amendments are completed, circulated and aligned with best practice. Lead feedback, audit and debrief processes to strengthen organisational learning and enhance preparedness. Plan, develop and deliver training that meets current best practice, guidance and legislative requirements. Oversee planned and unplanned incident response, ensuring commanders operate safely and effectively in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and national EPRR guidance. Act autonomously on behalf of ECU Senior Management, the Chief Executive and the Accountable Emergency Officer on all EPRR matters. Ensure the Trust meets its obligations as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), and support other Ambulance Trusts to do the same.
About us
The principal aim of the NHS Resilience Emergency Capabilities Unit (ECU) is to support the delivery of patient care and improved clinical outcomes in a range of challenging environments across England. The unit supports NHS Trusts and partner agencies to provide an effective response to the major and complex incidents defined within the UK's National Risk Register.
The NHS ECU is the national centre of excellence for emergency preparedness, resilience, and response across England's ambulance services. Hosted by the London Ambulance Service and commissioned by NHS England, we are dedicated to ensuring that the NHS is ready to respond to the most complex, high-risk, and challenging incidents--whenever and wherever they occur.
The NHS ECU builds on over a decade of operational expertise, clinical leadership, and innovation. Our mission is to strengthen national resilience by supporting ambulance trusts and wider NHS partners with the capabilities, training, and coordination needed to deliver outstanding care in the most demanding environments.
Job description Job responsibilities
Applicants are advised to read all the information enclosed in the advert job description role specification before completing an application.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Accreditations, Education Essential
Bachelors Degree, equivalent professional qualifications and/or substantial demonstrable experience in a similar role or setting Evidence of continuous personal and career development Recognised emergency driving qualification or willingness to complete an appropriate course The ability to achieve the appropriate security clearance (SC) Health Emergency Planning Diploma or a Diploma in Major Incident Management (or be in the process of completing or willing to study towards) To have completed, or be committed to successfully undertake, additional courses in order to assume the roles of a Strategic and Tactical Advisor To have completed, or be committed to successfully undertake, additional external courses in order to assume the role of a National Interagency Liaison Officer, including NILO, CBRN Tactical Commander and Radiation Protection Supervisor Masters Degree (Level 7), equivalent professional qualifications and/or substantial demonstrable experience in a similar role or setting
Experience Essential
Significant experience of working within an operational or control services role in an NHS Trust or comparable setting Experience, knowledge and personal development appertaining to Emergency Preparedness, including relevant legislation Experience in managing operations and developing and implementing systems, processes and policies
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Trained to a minimum of IHCD First Person On Scene (FPOS) Intermediate responder or higher, or commitment to undertake this training. Receiving, interpreting and analysing complex data and identifying the potential impact, in order to develop innovative and pragmatic solutions Presenting complex, sensitive or contentious information to internal and external groups Excellent written and oral communication skills, including preparing and writing reports and delivering presentations to large, multidisciplinary audiences. Good all round computer literacy paying special attention to working with Microsoft Office programs Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the ECU Incident Response Guidelines and LESLP Major Incident Plan An understanding of an emergency control room function
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Address Fire Service College,
London Road,
Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire,
GL56 0HR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)