Associate Business Continuity Planner (ABCP)

Draft Guideline for the Recruitment

Of Business Continuity Positions

Version (1) June 21, 2012

This guideline is directed to Employers and Human Resource Recruiters and other Human Resources professionals in employee relations, compensation and position classification.

Business Continuity professionals are among the fastest growing segments of today’s job market. Business operations and supply lines are increasingly more fragile and consequently more susceptible to disruption when either an external or internal disruptive event occurs. As a result organizations need to plan for such events and are establishing business continuity programs across their entire organizations. These programs are established and maintained by Business Continuity professionals.

The Disaster Recovery Institute of Canada is the oldest and original non profit provider of business continuity training in Canada. DRIC courses required for a certification in business continuity management all require candidates to complete a monitored exam the results of which are reviewed by ???. before results are provided to the applicant for the certification.

DRI CANADA was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1996 to:

· Promote commonly accepted understanding across the business continuity planning/disaster recovery industry through education, assistance and the development of a "Best Practices" resource base

· Certify qualified business continuity planning/disaster recovery professionals

· Promote the credibility and professionalism of certified business continuity planning/disaster recovery professionals

With DRI International, our parent organization based in New York, NY, DRI CANADA sets baseline levels for the knowledge and capabilities of business continuity planning/disaster recovery professionals.

DRI CANADA programs lead to certification or recertification in the following designations:

· Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP)

· Certified Functional Continuity Professional (CFCP)

· Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)

· Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP)

Employers and Human Resources professionals are encouraged when conducting recruitment to consider and follow where reasonable the recommendations for certification for various levels of business continuity positions provide in this Guideline. Additionally, when new position descriptions are being created or existing positions descriptions are being updated, consider including the appropriate certification level in the job description and the job ad. DRIC provides a free posting service on its website for business continuity and related positions. Each posting benefits from an email notification to DRIC’s membership across Canada.

Outlined below are brief descriptions of each of DRIC’s certifications. DRIC recommends that each of these levels be reviewed before staffing actions are finalized in order that organizations seek and recruit a professional business continuity employee appropriate for the duties and responsibilities the employee will be asked to assume.

DRIC Certifications:

Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP)

Normally awarded following the competition of DRI Canada courses such as # xyz or course #abc. The candidate must pass the course exam and pay the application fee. There is no requirement for experience in any of the Professional Practises (www.dric.ca) prior to receiving the ABCP Certification. It is expected that persons with the ABCP, working fulltime in business continuity management will seek a higher certification once they have accumulated sufficient experience in the Professional Practises.

Summary Requirements:

1) Passing mark on certification examination

2) Payment of $75 application fee.

Associated Positions: Description of duties or responsibilities

To assist in the development of, under the direction of a senior consultant, aspects of branch or departmental business continuity programs in compliance with any industry legal obligations, any legal obligations the organization may have as an as an employer. This would also include any corporate policy/operational direction in relation to the protection of organization’s employees, property, systems, the public, building stewardship and emergency response procedures to ensure the continued delivery of key services to the clients/customers of the organization in the event of an emergency or business disruption.

To assist in maintaining business continuity program documentation, contact lists, manuals, emergencies supplies for crisis response centers. To participate on internal and external committees, councils and working groups related to business continuity management.

Sample position titles:

BCP Coordinator

BCP Advisor

BCP Officer

Salary Ranges $60,000 – $80,000 annually

Certified Functional Continuity Professional (CFCP)

Normally awarded following the competition of DRI Canada courses such as # xyz or course #abc. The candidate must pass the course exam and pay the application fee. There is a requirement for at least two years of significant experience in at least three (3) of the Professional Practises prior to receiving the CFCP Certification. At least one (1) area of experience must include subject matter one of the following: #3 "Business Impact Analysis"; #4 "Developing Business Continuity Strategies"; #6 "Developing and Implementing Business Continuity Plans"; #8 "Maintaining and Exercising Business Continuity Plans". Candidates must provide references to verify their experience. It is expected that persons with the CFCP, working fulltime in business continuity management will seek a higher certification once they have accumulated sufficient further experience in the Professional Practises.

Summary Requirements:

1) Passing mark on certification examination

2) Two (2) or more years of significant experience in Business Continuity as specialist responsible for a specific functional area or department, in at least three (3) subject matter areas of the Professional Practices for Business Continuity Professional. (At least one ( 1) subject matter area must be: #3 "Business Impact Analysis"; #4 "Developing Business Continuity Strategies"; #6 "Developing and Implementing Business Continuity Plans"; #8 "Maintaining and Exercising Business Continuity Plans").

3) Provision of references to verify your experience.

4) Payment of $250 application fee.

Associated Positions: Description of Duties and Responsibilities

To assist in the development of, under the direction of BCP manager or senior consultant, divisional or regional site business continuity plans in compliance with any industry legal obligations, any legal obligations the organization may have as an as an employer. This would also include any corporate policy/operational direction in relation to the protection of organization’s employees, property, systems, the public, building stewardship and emergency response procedures to ensure the continued delivery of key services to the clients/customers of the organization in the event of an emergency or business disruption.

To assist in the development of, under the direction of BCP manager or senior consultant, plans or agreements with external organizations associated with the organization, both within the industry/sector and community-based, in compliance with corporate policy/operational direction related to the organization’s business.

To ensure emergency or crisis response centres/capabilities are maintained in a state of continual readiness. To assist, under the direction of BCP manager or senior consultant, in the development and management of response to emergencies and potential emergencies and manage provision of business continuity advice, and recommendations to senior management and community officials and stakeholders. To co-chair/participate on internal and external committees, councils and working groups related to business continuity management.

Sample position titles:

BCP Consultant

BCP Planner

BCP Analyst

Salary Ranges $70,000 – $90,000 annually

Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)

Normally awarded following the competition of DRI Canada courses such as # xyz or course #abc. The candidate must pass the course and pay the application fee. There is a requirement for at least two years of significant experience in at least five (5) of the Professional Practises prior to receiving the CBCP Certification. At least two (2) areas of experience must include subject matter one of the following: #3 "Business Impact Analysis"; #4 "Developing Business Continuity Strategies"; #6 "Developing and Implementing Business Continuity Plans"; #8 "Maintaining and Exercising Business Continuity Plans". Candidates must provide references to verify their experience. It is expected that persons with the CBCP, working fulltime in business continuity management will seek a higher certification once they have accumulated sufficient further experience in the Professional Practises.

Summary Requirements:

1) Passing mark on certification examination

2) Two (2) or more years of significant experience in Business Continuity planning in at least five (5) subject matter areas of the Professional Practices for Business Continuity Professional. (At least two (2) subject matter area must be: #3 "Business Impact Analysis"; #4 "Developing Business Continuity Strategies"; #6 "Developing and Implementing Business Continuity Plans"; #8 "Maintaining and Exercising Business Continuity Plans").

3) Provision of references to verify your experience.

4) Payment of $250 application fee.

Associated Positions: Description of Duties and Responsibilities

To provide leadership, as BCP manager or senior consultant, in the development of divisional or regional site business continuity program in compliance with any industry legal obligations, any legal obligations the organization may have as an as an employer. This would also include any corporate policy/operational direction in relation to the protection of organization’s employees, property, systems, the public, building stewardship and emergency response procedures to ensure the continued delivery of key services to the clients/customers of the organization in the event of an emergency or business disruption. Capability to handle sensitive and complex issues with discretion and good judgment.

To oversee the development of plans or agreements with external organizations associated with the organization, both within the industry/sector and community-based, in compliance with corporate policy/operational direction related to the organization’s business. Maintain and deliver training to employees in crisis response center operations and the Incident Command System.

To lead the development of table top exercises that test elements of the organization’s BCP or that test divisional or regional plans. Based on the evaluation of the exercise outcomes, be responsible for and manage provision of business continuity advice, and recommendations to senior management and community officials and stakeholders for the updating of the exercised plan.

To ensure emergency or crisis response centres/capabilities are maintained in a state of continual readiness. To develop and manage response to emergencies and potential emergencies and manage provision of business continuity advice, and recommendations to senior management and community officials and stakeholders. To develop, recommend and maintain business continuity program policy to senior management. To chair, co-chair/participate on internal and external committees, councils and working groups related to business continuity management.

Sample position titles

BCP Senior Consultant

BCP Senior Planner

BCP Manager

Salary Ranges $85,000 – $105,000 annually

Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP)

Requirements: 1) Passing mark on certification examination

2) Five (5) or more years of significant experience in Business Continuity planning in at least seven (7) subject matter areas of the Professional Practices for Business Continuity Professional.

3) Provision of references to verify your experience.

4) Passing the MBCP Case Study.

5) Payment of $300 application fee.

Associated Positions: Description of Duties and Responsibilities

Provides corporate leadership in developing and implementing business continuity program strategies nationally or internationally. As senior executive, oversees the development of national or international business continuity program in compliance with any industry legal obligations, any legal obligations the organization may have as an as an employer in applicable jurisdictions. This would also include any corporate policy/operational direction in relation to the protection of organization’s employees, property, systems, the public, building stewardship and emergency response procedures to ensure the continued delivery of key services to the clients/customers of the organization in the event of an emergency or business disruption. Provides information and expert opinion, on legislation, policies and procedures and new initiatives to senior management and may serve as corporate or industry spokesperson to government or regulatory agencies on business continuity issues. Acts as external spokesperson as required, on BCM matters, on behalf of the organization.

To ensures the development of plans or agreements with external organizations associated with the organization in applicable jurisdictions, both within the industry/sector and community-based, in compliance with corporate policy/operational direction related to the organization’s business. Capability to handle sensitive and complex issues with discretion and good judgment.

To lead the development of corporate exercise program that ensures the organization’s ongoing resiliency. Based on the evaluation of the exercise outcomes to be responsible for and manage provision of business continuity advice, and recommendations to senior management committee and community officials and stakeholders for the updating of the exercised plan.

To ensure emergency or crisis response centres/capabilities are maintained in a state of continual readiness across the entire organization. To develop and manage response to emergencies and potential emergencies and manage provision of business continuity advice, and recommendations to the senior management committee and community officials and stakeholders. To develop, recommend and maintain business continuity program policy to senior management committee.

Sample position titles:

Director/Senior Director BCM

Executive Director BCM

Vice-President BCM

Salary Ranges $115,000 – $140,000 annually

(Please provide comments to )