Assistant Manager, Business Continuity Management at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Purpose:

The Assistant Manager, Business Continuity Management (BCM) is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of the bank’s Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) framework. The role ensures operational resilience by identifying risks, conducting impact analyses, and coordinating response and recovery strategies to mitigate disruptions.

Key Responsibilities 

Business Continuity Planning (BCP) & Governance

• Assist in the design, development, and maintenance of the Bank’s Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework, policies, and procedures.
• Support the periodic review and update of Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessments across departments.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and internal requirements for business continuity and resilience.

Disaster Recovery & Crisis Management

• Work closely with IT and risk teams to assess the effectiveness of Disaster Recovery (DR) plans.
• Participate in the testing and evaluation of DR and contingency strategies for critical systems and processes.
• Assist in incident response planning, including crisis management and emergency communication protocols.

Training & Awareness

• Conduct training and awareness sessions on business continuity, crisis management, and emergency preparedness for employees.
• Develop and maintain BCM-related documentation, including handbooks and response guides.

Testing & Audits

• Coordinate periodic business continuity drills, tabletop exercises, and real-time testing scenarios.
• Identify gaps and recommend corrective measures to enhance resilience.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Act as a liaison between business units, IT, risk, compliance, and senior management on BCM-related issues.
• Support reporting and communication with regulators, auditors, and external partners regarding BCM requirements.

Qualifications

Qualifications And Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Risk Management, IT, Finance, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Certifications: Professional certifications such as CBCP (Certified Business Continuity Professional), ISO 22301 Lead Implementer, or DRII (Disaster Recovery Institute International) are highly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in business continuity, operational risk management, or crisis management in the banking or financial services industry.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of CBK Business Continuity Guidelines, ISO 22301, Basel Accords, and IT Disaster Recovery best practices.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Business Impact Analysis (BIA) – Ability to assess the impact of disruptions on business processes.
• Disaster Recovery Planning – Understanding of IT resilience, backup strategies, and failover mechanisms.
• Crisis Management & Incident Response – Ability to coordinate response plans during operational disruptions.
• Regulatory Compliance – Familiarity with CBK, Basel, and industry-specific business continuity guidelines.
• Audit & Testing – Experience in conducting resilience tests and identifying weaknesses in BCM frameworks.