Head of Aviation Business Continuity Section

Role Purpose:

To lead and govern the Aviation Business Continuity Section as the central coordination function for civil aviation continuity and resilience within the Emirate of Dubai, ensuring that sector-wide business continuity arrangements are established, maintained, and continuously enhanced in line with applicable legislation, ISO 22301, NCEMA requirements, and approved frameworks. The role is responsible for overseeing risk-informed continuity planning, business impact analysis, readiness testing, and sector oversight programs, while ensuring effective coordination with Dubai Resilience Center, relevant regulators, and aviation stakeholders, and providing structured assurance and reporting to senior leadership on sector preparedness, response, and recovery capability.

Key Responsibilities/Duties:

A.Functional:

1.Sector Business Continuity Governance

Lead and govern the civil aviation sector business continuity framework within the Emirate of Dubai, ensuring the establishment, maintenance, and periodic enhancement of sector-wide continuity arrangements covering critical aviation services and infrastructure.

2.Standards and Regulatory Alignment

Ensure alignment of aviation sector continuity planning with applicable legislation, ISO 22301, NCEMA requirements, and approved national and emirate-level resilience frameworks, and oversee compliance follow-up with relevant sector entities.

3.Risk-Informed Continuity Planning

Direct the integration of emerging risks, threat assessments, and operational vulnerabilities into continuity and recovery planning, including risks related to cyber disruption, pandemics, natural hazards, and geopolitical developments.

4.Business Impact Analysis (BIA) Oversight

Oversee sector-level business impact analysis programs to identify critical aviation services, disruption thresholds, and interdependencies, and ensure outcomes inform prioritization of recovery strategies and resource planning.

5.Exercises, Testing, and Readiness Assurance

Oversee the design, execution, and evaluation of continuity exercises and tests to assess sector readiness, validate response and recovery arrangements, and ensure lessons learned are documented and integrated into plan improvements.

6.Oversight Programs and Sector Readiness Evaluation

Direct periodic oversight programs, including inspections, audits, and evaluations, to verify the adequacy and effectiveness of continuity arrangements across sector entities, and ensure findings, recommendations, and follow-up actions are formally reported.

7.External Coordination and Emirate Resilience Integration

Lead structured coordination with Dubai Resilience Center, relevant regulators, and government entities to ensure aviation sector continuity planning is aligned with emirate-level resilience objectives, escalation mechanisms, and reporting requirements.

8.Awareness, Capability, and Preparedness Development

Direct sector-wide awareness initiatives, guidance, and capacity-building activities to strengthen preparedness culture, leadership readiness, and coordinated response capability among aviation stakeholders.

9.Continuity Documentation and Executive Reporting

Ensure continuity policies, plans, exercise results, and readiness reports are properly governed, maintained, and stored within approved systems, and provide structured, periodic assurance reporting to senior leadership on sector continuity posture.

10.Other Duties:Performs other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the operational and regulatory oversight responsibilities of the Aviation Business Continuity Section.

B.Managerial:

1.Section Strategy and Planning

Lead development and execution of the Section’s operational plan, ensuring alignment with sector priorities, governance frameworks, and performance expectations.

2.People Leadership and Capability Development

Lead, coach, and develop office staff, setting clear performance expectations, promoting accountability, and supporting capability development in coordination with HR and sector leadership.

3.Performance and Quality Discipline

Ensure structured performance monitoring, reporting accuracy, and adherence to quality assurance and governance standards across all office activities.

4.Resource and Budget Coordination

Coordinate preparation and follow-up of office-related resource and budget requirements in alignment with sector priorities and institutional financial governance processes.

5.Stakeholder and Cross-Unit Coordination

Maintain structured working relationships with sector directors, department heads, and internal governance functions to ensure integration, alignment, and reliable execution of sector governance requirements.

6.Governance Culture and Continuous Improvement

Promote a culture of governance discipline, documentation integrity, process consistency, and continuous improvement across office operations and sector coordination activities.

A.Academic Qualifications:

·Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business Continuity, Risk Management, Emergency Management, Aviation, Engineering, Safety, or a related discipline relevant to civil aviation resilience and continuity planning.

·Master’s degree in Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, Emergency Management, Resilience, or a related field is considered an advantage.

B.Certifications:

·ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management Training (Lead Implementer / Lead Auditor preferred)

·NCEMA continuity / emergency preparedness alignment training (or equivalent awareness)

·Business Impact Analysis (BIA) Training

·Exercise Design and Evaluation / Crisis Management Training

·Cyber Resilience / ICT Continuity Awareness Training (relevant to scenario and emerging risk planning)

C.Professional Experience:

·Minimum 14 years of relevant experience in business continuity management, emergency preparedness, resilience planning, or operational risk management within regulated, critical infrastructure, or aviation-related environments, with a Bachelor’s degree; or 12 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree.

·Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing sector-level continuity planning, including development and maintenance of continuity plans, BIAs, and recovery strategies.

·Experience managing or coordinating continuity exercises, testing programs, and readiness assessments, including documentation of outcomes and implementation of improvements.

·Proven experience coordinating with government entities, regulators, and critical infrastructure stakeholders on continuity, resilience, or emergency preparedness matters.

·Prior people management or section-level leadership experience within continuity, resilience, or risk functions is required.