Capabilities Officer

The Capabilities Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining safety-critical documentation, including standard operating procedures, risk assessments, and rescue plans. They draft emergency plans, service continuity documents, and national service specifications. The role involves managing sensitive correspondence and operating national data systems. Officers produce detailed reports, populate risk registers, and prepare technical briefings. They also lead the creation and circulation of documentation for national meetings and programme boards.

In this role, the officer provides expert advice to NHS and multi-agency stakeholders. They are expected to communicate complex, sensitive, and classified information effectively. The officer chairs national meetings and incident debriefs, often involving distressing content. During national incidents, they act as a Tactical Commander. They also create and deliver presentations to a wide range of stakeholders.

The officer leads the planning and delivery of projects valued up to £200,000. They manage programme risks, conduct audits and inspections, and coordinate national events and conferences. The role includes analysing NHS performance data and clinical outcomes to inform decision-making.

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 UKs National Risk Register.

The NHS ECU is the national centre of excellence for emergency preparedness, resilience, and response across Englands 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 incidentswhenever and wherever they occur.

Formerly known as the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU), 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.

Our work is structured around three core capabilities:

Qualifications, Accreditations, Education

Experience

Knowledge and Skills