About this role
Job summary
The Head of EPRR is responsible for leading the development and implementation of all arrangements relating to the organisation's preparedness for significant incidents and emergencies as defined in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA). This includes business continuity and other resilience planning arrangements.
This post is fixed-term, covering a period of Maternity Leave from November 2026 until October 2027.
To provide leadership in business continuity/emergency planning, Trust policy and procedure development. The post holder will be expected to make a significant contribution to the overall success of the services in implementing strategic vision and strategy within their area of responsibility and ensuring these are delivered through clear objectives and targets.
The post holders will also be responsible for the representation of the organisation in the Local Health Resilience Partnership and for supporting the work streams arising.
Main duties of the job
On behalf of the chief operating officer/deputy chief executive / accountable emergency officer for emergency preparedness, response and resilience, the Head of EPRR will:
Ensure that the Trust meets its statutory obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act, 2004 (CCA) and complies with all relevant EPRR guidance for the NHS, including the NHS EPRR Framework 2022 and non-statutory guidance that accompanies the CCA and for business continuity and resilience preparedness.
Supports the Trust Accountable Emergency Officer (AEO) by providing specialist advice, coordinating EPRR assurance, maintaining an evidence base against the NHS Core Standards, and reporting compliance, risks and actions to Trust governance and the Board.
Develop and deliver the Trust's emergency preparedness and resilience function, improve standards of such preparedness across the organisation and provide leadership on specialist emergency preparedness and resilience issues.
Ensure the Trust policies and plans are aligned to the NHS Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Framework 2022, relevant statutory duties (including the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, NHS Act 2006 and Health and Care Act 2022), and the NHS Standard Contract.
Further details are found in the Job Description attached.
About us
Our mission, vision and values are at the heart of North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (NCM). They underpin everything we do and everything we aspire to be as an organisation
Our mission is to be exceptional for our patients, our communities and each other
Our vision is to be a great organisation providing excellent healthcare and opportunities to work and learn
Our approach to healthcare is founded on our four core values:
Kind - we are caring, supporting and respectful to everyone
Open - we are honest, transparent and open to new ways of working
Fair - we listen, value our differences and are inclusive to all
One team - we work well together and with our communities
We employ almost 6,500 people from more than 80 nationalities and are fully committed to being an equal, diverse and inclusive employer. Our culture and values ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and that no job applicant or employee is disadvantaged at any stage of their journey.
We are also proud to be an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and welcome applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists and families.
Working at NCM means becoming part of a dedicated team of clinical and support staff who are passionate about keeping people well and supporting wellbeing. If you share our values and are motivated by making a difference for our patients, we'd be delighted to receive your application
Job description Job responsibilities
This job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However the duties of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may, therefore be amended in consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
oDemonstrable experience in Emergency Planning and Business Continuity and is seeking to further their career in Emergency Planning and Business Continuity within the NHS oTeaching / training experience oExperience of partnership working across organisations oExperience of planning, initiating and conducting exercises
Desirable
oSufficient knowledge and understanding of current Emergency Planning legislation to be able to interpret and advise the Trust confidently and accurately oExperience of delivering training to a wide range of people oProject management knowledge and skills to enable the post holder to deliver objectives oLoggist experience / train the trainer
Qualifications Essential
oEducated to degree level oCompletion of / willingness to complete the Diploma in Health Emergency Planning oPost graduate emergency planning related certificate or further specialist knowledge / experience equivalent
Desirable
oWorking towards or in possession Masters in emergency planning related subject oTeaching qualification
Skills, knowledge and competencies Essential
oKnowledge of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, NHS statutory duties, and the NHS EPRR Framework 2022 oEvidence of ability to engage with a wide range of clinical and non-clinical staff oEvidence of ability to manage complex and diverse issues oEvidence of excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal oAbility to critically analyse and interpret statute and regulations oEvidence of ability to work independently oNegotiating and influencing skills and an ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships with professional /managerial disciplines oAbility to assimilate, analyse and present complex problems and data, identify necessary action, make recommendations and ensure follow through oDevelop and facilitate training and learning workshops oExperience of delivering debriefs oAbility to prioritise and organise a large volume of work with frequently changing priorities and work systematically towards deadlines oUnderstanding of, and ability to maintain, confidentiality at all times oAble to work on own initiative with awareness of boundaries familiarity with the basic concept of emergency planning, business continuity, crisis management, risk management
Desirable
oExperience of the Core Standards process
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).
Employer details Employer name North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (WHH)
Address Warrington General Hospital
Lovely Lane
Warrington
WA5 1QG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://northcheshireandmersey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)