Business Continuity Lead

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research institution established to probe the fundamental structure of the universe. It employs physicists and engineers who utilize the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study fundamental particles. CERN's mission is to advance knowledge in the field of particle physics and to foster collaboration among scientists from various disciplines. The organization operates in multiple countries and has a diverse workforce that contributes to groundbreaking research and innovation.

Job Overview:
As the Business Continuity Lead at CERN, you will be instrumental in enhancing the organization's resilience by leading and coordinating business continuity activities. This role is situated within the Improvement, Continuity and Sustainability (OSI-ICS) Group of the Organisational Support and Improvement (OSI) Department. Your primary responsibilities will include developing, implementing, and maintaining CERN's Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework, ensuring alignment with organizational policies and international standards. You will facilitate the identification and analysis of critical activities and recovery requirements, support the development of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), and integrate business continuity management with enterprise risk and crisis management activities. Additionally, you will design and lead continuity exercises, provide expert advice to management, and contribute to organizational resilience initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain CERN’s Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework in accordance with organizational policies and international standards.
• Facilitate the identification and analysis of critical activities, dependencies, vulnerabilities, and recovery requirements in collaboration with process and service owners.
• Coordinate the development of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and disaster recovery arrangements across various departments.
• Integrate business continuity management with CERN's enterprise risk management and crisis management activities.
• Design, organize, and lead continuity exercises, simulations, and stress tests, analyzing outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Provide expert advice on continuity strategies, disruption preparedness, recovery capabilities, and resilience measures.
• Develop guidance, methodologies, tools, and training to enhance business continuity awareness and capabilities across CERN.
• Monitor, review, and report on the effectiveness of business continuity arrangements and maturity.
• Contribute to organizational resilience initiatives and continuous improvement activities within OSI-ICS. 1
• Perform other tasks as required for the fulfillment of the Business Continuity Lead function.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, Engineering, Legal, Organizational Resilience, Information Systems, or a related field. While not mandatory, a recognized professional certification in business continuity or resilience management, such as ISO 22301 training or BCI/DRII certification, would be advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate experience in business continuity management, organizational resilience, or risk management within complex organizations, and have a proven ability to work across organizational boundaries and engage with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, Engineering, Legal, Organizational Resilience, or Information Systems is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of business continuity and risk management in a scientific research environment.

Experience:
Candidates should have demonstrated experience in business continuity management, organizational resilience, or risk management, particularly in complex organizations. Experience in conducting business impact analyses and developing continuity and recovery strategies is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in designing and facilitating exercises, workshops, or training activities, preferably in an international, technical, or research environment.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, with a commitment to learn French being a valuable asset. Proficiency in French will enhance communication within the organization and with stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position offers a limited duration contract of 5 years, with the possibility of extension up to 8 years and eligibility for an indefinite contract tenure. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the job offers hybrid flexibility. The position is graded at levels 6-7, and the reference for this job is OSI-ICS-2026-154-LD. CERN provides a competitive salary that is tax-free, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.