Strategic Lead for Risk

Background:

We are seeking a Principal Officer who is passionate about ensuring our local and national organisations have an evidence-base to learn, develop and drive change within communities and at a national level as the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)  Strategic Lead for Risk.

At a time when the UK is facing considerable new challenges to the traditional role of fire and rescue such as through national responses to deal with climate change and civil contingencies, while maintaining national resilience, the NFCC Strategic Risk and Improvement Committee has recognised the requirement for greater strategic oversight in this area.

In this role you will also consider how the principles of community risk planning could be applied at a national level  and this may complement local community risk plans.  This may require direct engagement with colleagues at MHCLG, in addition to NFCC, other FRS and wider partners from outside the sector.

As the Strategic Lead, you will also be responsible for recruiting national leads and relevant working groups to support you.  Currently there are four national leads reporting into the Strategic Lead (CRMP, Productivity and Efficiency, Climate and Data), however, as the Strategic Lead, you may see the need to introduce other lead roles within the confines of the NFCC Strategic Plan 2026-2029.  The role sits specifically under the NFCC Strategic Objective 6:  Continuous Improvement through Standards, Research, Learning and Guidance.

The NFCC Strategic Lead for Risk will:

  • Appoint a new Chair to the NFCC Community Risk Working Group.
  • Be a member of the NFCC Strategic Risk and Improvement Committee and liaise with the NFCC Strategic Risk and Improvement Committee Chair as appropriate.
  • Work with others to provide a strategic platform for sharing good practice, research findings, and lessons learned from all fire and rescue service related to national risk and risk management strategies.
  • Support the NFCC strategic objectives and the development of initiatives to strengthen fire and rescue services and improve public safety through evidence-based decision making.
  • Build a relationship with government to ensure that the National Risk Register reflects the needs of NFCC membership and the wider sector.
  • Work with NFCC National Resilience to ensure that the interests of National Resilience and the wider sector is represented at Strategic Risk and Improvement Committee, and at Chiefs Council.
  • Identify any external factors that may impact or influence on national risk planning from government, partners or through international practice.
  • Engage with other national leads as appropriate to develop a national response to risk.
  • Identify any potential new national risk management initiatives and ensure that appropriate action is taken to progress these.

This is a voluntary role, in addition to your role in your service.

To apply

If you feel that you would be suitable for this role, apply now by completing this form.

If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact:

Simon Davis (NFCC Assistant Director of Improvement) – simon.davis@nfcc.org.uk 0777 1977655

Or Nick Brennan (NFCC Head of Fire Standards and Implementation) nick.brennan@nfcc.org.uk 07816 369413

Closing Date:  Thursday 3 September 2026, midday