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Job overview
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Applicants are advised to read all the information enclosed in the advert job description role specification before completing an application.
Person specification
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
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
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Capabilities Manager with London Ambulance Service NHS Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 No HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 13 Aug 2026.
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