Overview
In this role you safeguard residents and critical services by leading emergency planning, business continuity and crisis response efforts. You will work with the Resilience team and external partners to develop, test and maintain plans that support rapid decision-making during incidents. You’ll coordinate the council’s immediate response when emergencies arise and help senior leaders navigate time-sensitive choices. The position combines proactive planning with reactive incident support, offering meaningful impact on Harrow’s safety and resilience. You will operate in a fast-paced environment with cross‑functional collaboration and public service purpose.
Responsibilities
- Lead on key workstreams and specialist projects within resilience and emergency planning
- Provide professional advice on emergency planning and contribute to plan development and testing
- Ensure council has up‑to‑date crisis management arrangements
- Coordinate the council’s immediate response during emergencies, including managing the Emergency Response Team
- Activate borough procedures and support senior leaders in time‑sensitive decisions
- Engage in proactive planning and reactive incident support under pressure
- Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners (emergency services, voluntary agencies, regional forums)
- Deliver training, briefings or presentations to diverse audiences
- Analyze incidents and identify learning to improve practices
Key requirements
- Strong knowledge of emergency planning, business continuity and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004
- Experience leading or contributing to development of emergency or resilience plans
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure
- Ability to make timely decisions during incidents with limited information
- Proven ability to build effective relationships with colleagues, senior leaders and external partners
- Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication
- Proactive, self-motivated with initiative
- Experience delivering training, presentations or briefings
- Strong analytical skills to evaluate incidents and identify learning
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and participate in an on‑call rota
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Relationship-building
- Proactivity
- Emergency planning
- Business continuity
- Crisis management
Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Officer in London employer: Harrow Council
Harrow Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering an inclusive work culture that prioritises the growth and development of its employees. As a Deafblind & Multi-Sensory Inclusion Advisor, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people while benefiting from comprehensive training and support in a collaborative environment. Located in London, the council offers unique advantages such as access to diverse resources and a commitment to community engagement, making it a rewarding place to work.
