GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Continuity Specialist is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Palawan Group of Companies Business Continuity Management (BCM) program. This role ensures the organization's resilience against disruptions by aligning with the BCM Lifecycle, including Business Impact Analysis (BIA), Risk Assessment, Strategy Formulation, Plan Development, Testing, Maintenance, and Training. The Specialist will also manage incident and crisis response, oversee third-party business continuity assessments, and support internal and BSP audits to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including those set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree in Earth Science, Meteorology, Environmental Science, Disaster Risk Management, or related field

Related Work Experience: At least 3 - 5 years experience supporting business continuity and incident management functions, risk management, operational resilience, or disaster risk reduction

Knowledge (knowledgeable in the following):

- Comprehensive knowledge of ISO 22301, BSP Circular No. 951, and BSP Circular No. 1203

- Broad knowledge of Incident/Crisis Management, Risk Management, or Disaster Risk Reduction process

Skills:

- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas, macros, etc.)

- Basic skills in Microsoft Power Platform tools for workflow development (Power BI, Power Automate)

- Detail-oriented with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to assess risks and develop effective strategies.

- Strong communication skills to deliver training, facilitate exercises, and manage crisis communications.

- Flexibility to adjust work hours and shifts during incidents or emergencies to ensure continuous business continuity support.

- Extensive navigation skills in PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, and NDRRMC websites, weather forecasting tools, and alert messaging applications.

Preferred but not required (any of the following certifications):

- ISO 22301 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor (ICOR)

- Business Continuity Institute's Certification

- Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) Certified Business Continuity Professional

A B C P/ C B C P

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Business Continuity Specialist will perform the following duties, aligned with the BCM Lifecycle and additional responsibilities:

1. Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessment

• Conduct Business Impact Analyses to identify critical business functions, processes, and dependencies across the Palawan Group of Companies.

• Assess potential impacts of disruptions (financial, operational, reputational, and regulatory) on business operations.

• Perform Risk Assessments and regular BCM Risk Review to identify threats (e.g., natural hazards, cyberattacks, operational failures) and vulnerabilities specific to the organization's operations in the financial services sector.

• Collaborate with Department Heads to prioritize critical processes and determine Recovery Objectives.

• Document findings and provide recommendations to mitigate identified risks.

2. Business Continuity Strategy Formulation

• Develop and recommend business continuity strategies to ensure the continuity of critical operations during disruptions.

• Coordinate with IT, Facilities, Branch Operations, and other departments to align strategies with organizational objectives and BSP regulatory requirements.

• Evaluate and recommend technology, resources, and processes to enhance resilience.

3. Business Continuity Plan Development

• Design, develop, and document Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) for all critical functions and processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and BSP guidelines.

• Create detailed response and recovery procedures for various disruptions, including severe but plausible scenarios.

• Ensure BCPs are clear, actionable, and accessible to relevant stakeholders.

• Incorporate crisis communication plans to manage internal and external stakeholder communications during disruptions.

4. Testing and Exercises

• Plan and execute BCP testing and exercises (e.g., tabletop exercises, simulations, and full-scale drills) to validate the effectiveness of continuity plans.

• Analyze test results, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to enhance plan effectiveness.

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure participation and readiness during testing.

• Document test outcomes and maintain records for audit purposes.

5. Plan Maintenance

• Regularly review and update business continuity-related plans and procedures to reflect changes in business processes, technology, regulatory requirements, or risk profiles.

• Ensure plans remain compliant with BSP Circulars (e.g., Circular No. 951, Circular No. 1203).

• Maintain version control and documentation of all BCM-related plans and procedures.

• Conduct periodic gap analyses to ensure plans remain relevant and effective.

6. Training and Awareness

• Develop and deliver BCM training programs to employees at all levels to foster a culture of resilience and preparedness.

• Create awareness campaigns to educate employees on their roles and responsibilities during disruptions.

• Train BCM and Crisis Management Teams on incident response protocols and communication strategies.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and adjust content as needed.

7. Incident/Crisis Management

• Support the Incident and Crisis Management Team by coordinating response efforts during disruptions.

• Serve as a point of contact for crisis communications and liaising with internal teams and stakeholders as needed.

• Document incident details, response actions, and lessons learned to improve future responses.

• Participate in post-incident reviews to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

8. Third-Party Business Continuity Management and Assessment

• Assess the business continuity capabilities of third-party vendors, suppliers, and partners critical to Palawan Group of Companies operations.

• Conduct third-party BCM assessment to evaluate vendor resilience and compliance with BSP requirements.

• Provide recommendations to mitigate risks associated with third-party dependencies.

9. Internal Audit and BSP Audit Support

• Support internal audits of the BCM program to ensure compliance with organizational policies and industry standards.

• Prepare documentation and evidence for BSP audits, ensuring adherence to BSP Circulars and guidelines on operational resilience and business continuity.

• Collaborate with Risk Management, Compliance, and Internal Audit teams to address findings and implement corrective actions.

• Maintain accurate records of BCM activities, including BIAs, risk assessments, plans, and test results, for audit purposes.

• Assist in responding to BSP inquiries and regulatory reporting requirements related to BCM.

Business Continuity Management Specialist