Course Details

Business Continuity Management for Government and Public Sector Training Course

Introduction

In an era of increasing global complexities, government agencies and public sector organizations face unique and critical challenges in maintaining essential services to citizens, protecting vital data, and upholding public trust, even amidst significant disruptions. Unlike commercial entities, their primary drivers for Business Continuity Management (BCM) extend beyond profit to encompass statutory obligations, public safety, national security, and the continuous provision of critical public services, regardless of the crisis. Our intensive 10-day "Business Continuity Management for Government and Public Sector" training course is meticulously designed to equip public servants, emergency managers, and administrative leaders with the specialized knowledge and practical frameworks required to develop, implement, and maintain robust BCM programs that ensure the continuity of government operations and essential public services in the face of diverse threats, from natural disasters and technological failures to pandemics and security incidents.

This comprehensive program delves into the specific regulatory mandates, inter-agency coordination complexities, and unique resource management challenges inherent in the public sector. Participants will gain in-depth understanding of how to conduct a public-sector specific Business Impact Analysis, prioritize critical government functions, design resilient service delivery models, and establish effective inter-agency communication protocols. By the end of this specialized training, you will be proficient in establishing a resilient BCM framework that not only safeguards public sector operations and data but also ensures the continuous welfare and security of the citizenry, upholding the critical functions of governance through any unforeseen challenge.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Business Continuity Management for Government and Public Sector" training course is essential for a wide range of professionals across various levels of government and public service who are responsible for ensuring the continuity of essential services, protecting public assets, and maintaining citizen trust. This includes:

• Government Officials and Public Servants: At national, county, and local levels, involved in policy, operations, or administration.
• Emergency Managers and Coordinators: Directly responsible for disaster preparedness and response within public agencies.
• Heads of Departments/Agencies: Accountable for the continuity of critical government functions and services.
• IT Managers and Administrators: Responsible for the resilience of government IT systems and data.
• Risk Management Professionals: Within public sector entities, focusing on operational and strategic risks.
• Auditors and Compliance Officers: Evaluating the effectiveness of BCM programs against public sector mandates.
• Public Health Officials: Involved in pandemic preparedness and response within government.
• Infrastructure Managers: Responsible for critical public utilities and infrastructure.
• Defense and Security Personnel: Focused on national security and essential service continuity during crises.
• Procurement and Supply Chain Managers: Ensuring continuity of critical resources for public services.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Business Continuity Management for Government and Public Sector" training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the unique drivers, mandates, and challenges of Business Continuity Management (BCM) in the government and public sector.
• Interpret and apply relevant national policies, laws, and regulations pertaining to public sector continuity (e.g., Kenyan public service guidelines).
• Conduct a public-sector specific Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to identify and prioritize critical government functions and services.
• Define appropriate Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for public sector operations and data.
• Develop robust continuity strategies for essential government services, IT infrastructure, and citizen-facing operations.
• Design effective inter-agency coordination mechanisms and communication protocols for crisis response.
• Understand resource management, logistics, and supply chain considerations unique to public sector continuity.
• Plan and execute realistic exercises and drills to validate the effectiveness of public sector continuity plans.
• Implement a framework for continuous improvement, monitoring, and auditing of BCM programs in government.
• Contribute significantly to enhancing public safety, maintaining public trust, and ensuring the enduring functionality of government.

Course Modules

Module 1: Unique Context of BCM in Government & Public Sector

• Defining BCM in the public sector: statutory obligations vs. profit drivers.
• Understanding the public's expectation of continuous service delivery.
• Overview of the legal and regulatory framework for BCM in Kenyan public service (e.g., relevant acts, policies, directives).
• The impact of disruptions on public safety, national security, and citizen welfare.
• Challenges unique to public sector BCM: funding constraints, bureaucratic structures, political influence.

Module 2: Governance and Policy Framework for Public Sector BCM

• Establishing a robust BCM governance structure within government agencies and ministries.
• Developing high-level BCM policies and directives aligned with national continuity strategies.
• Defining clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for BCM at all levels of government.
• Ensuring leadership commitment and allocation of resources for continuity initiatives.
• Integrating BCM with broader public sector risk management and emergency management frameworks.

Module 3: Critical Function Analysis & BIA in the Public Sector

• Methodologies for identifying and prioritizing critical government functions and essential services (e.g., law enforcement, public health, utilities, social services).
• Conducting a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) tailored to public sector operational, social, and political impacts.
• Determining Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for public service delivery and vital data.
• Assessing the interdependencies between various government agencies and departments.
• Quantifying the cost of service disruption to citizens and the public good.

Module 4: Continuity Strategies for Essential Public Services

• Developing alternative service delivery models for citizen-facing functions.
• Strategies for maintaining critical infrastructure (e.g., power, water, communication networks).
• Ensuring the continuity of public safety operations (police, fire, emergency medical services).
• Plans for data integrity and availability for government records and citizen information.
• Designing resilient IT systems to support critical public functions.

Module 5: Inter-Agency Coordination & Collaboration

• Establishing formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and inter-agency agreements for shared resources and support.
• Developing joint command and control structures for multi-agency emergency response.
• Protocols for information sharing and coordination during a widespread disruption.
• Strategies for engaging with local communities, NGOs, and the private sector for continuity support.
• Cross-training and joint exercises between different government entities.

Module 6: Public Sector HR & Personnel Continuity

• Strategies for ensuring the availability and deployment of essential government personnel.
• Policies for alternative work arrangements (e.g., remote work, temporary assignments) during crises.
• Plans for employee welfare and support during prolonged disruptions.
• Addressing health and safety for public servants responding to emergencies.
• Succession planning for critical leadership roles within government.

Module 7: Resource Management & Logistics in Public Sector Response

• Identifying and securing critical resources for public sector continuity (e.g., emergency supplies, fuel, specialized equipment).
• Developing robust logistics and supply chain management for public services.
• Establishing emergency procurement procedures and contracting mechanisms.
• Planning for the use of government facilities as alternative operational sites or emergency shelters.
• Managing financial resources and emergency funding mechanisms during a crisis.

Module 8: Public Communication & Citizen Engagement

• Developing a comprehensive public communication strategy during government disruptions.
• Crafting clear, consistent, and empathetic messages to citizens and stakeholders.
• Utilizing diverse communication channels (traditional media, social media, community networks).
• Establishing a Joint Information Center (JIC) for coordinated public messaging.
• Strategies for managing misinformation and maintaining public trust during a crisis.

Module 9: Testing, Exercising & Evaluating Public Sector BCM

• Designing and conducting various types of exercises for government continuity plans (tabletop, functional, full-scale).
• Involving multiple agencies and levels of government in exercises.
• Evaluating exercise performance against defined objectives and service delivery metrics.
• Documenting lessons learned, identifying gaps, and implementing corrective actions.
• Developing post-incident review processes for real-world disruptions.

Module 10: Public Sector BCM Maintenance, Audit & Improvement

• Establishing a structured program for ongoing review and update of public sector BCM plans.
• Integrating BCM updates with government policy cycles and legislative changes.
• Conducting internal audits of BCM programs against national and international standards.
• Responding to audit findings and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Benchmarking public sector BCM maturity against national guidelines and global best practices.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

• Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.co