Facilities and administration officer jobs in bristol, city of bristol

About Vision Action

Vision Action, formally Vision Aid Overseas, is a UK-based charity, with a focus on fighting poverty by transforming access to eye care services in lower- and middle-income countries in Africa. The charity was established in 1985. Our work focuses on the development of services for uncorrected refractive error and primary eye health. Uncorrected refractive error is the world’s leading cause of avoidable visual impairment, with an estimated 670 million people affected worldwide. We develop programmes that integrate training, primary eye care, school eye health and facility developments into national and regional eye care plans, seeking always to be responsive to local need. In this way, we help children to learn and adults to earn so that they can provide for their families. Currently, the organisation has programmes operating in Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia, and Sierra Leone.

We need great people to help us on this journey. You do not need to have a public health, eye care or charity sector background to work with us. We need our people to be self-starters, innovators and able to get on and work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Job Purpose

Vision Action seeks a highly dynamic individual for a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of an extension. The position is part of the management team, and the post holder will be expected to lead on the financial accounting, management accounting, and budgeting for the organisation as well as taking forward some strategic finance and operations projects as we expand our programmes in existing countries. The individual will also be expected to support the Co-CEOs with administrative, compliance and IT related tasks.

The position holder is required to comply with all of Vision Action’s policies and procedures, including Vision Action’s Safeguarding policy.

The successful applicant must have the right to work in the UK.

Functions / Key Responsibilities:

1. Finance

• Maintain a strong control environment, ensuring accounting records are complete and accurate.

Financial accounting

• Prepare annual statutory accounts in accordance with SORP 2015.
• Prepare for the annual external audit and host auditors ensuring the audit process runs smoothly. This includes supporting Vision Action’s country offices in hosting their respective audits.
• Ensure annual statutory accounts are finalised and submitted to Companies House and the Charity Commission by the appropriate deadlines.

Management accounting

• Coordinate the month-end process with the Finance Officer (UK) and Programme Finance Lead, and review transaction postings.
• Prepare monthly management accounts with cash flow forecasts, modifying the format as needed to suit the preferences of senior management and the Board of Trustees.
• Prepare the annual organisational budget and mid-year reforecast.
• Improve existing budget templates to enable straightforward and transparent budgeting for donors.

Support to country offices

• Collaborate with the Programme Finance Lead on a monthly basis to reconcile intercompany accounts, ensuring that reconciling items are cleared promptly.
• Support country office teams in fulfilling any reporting and financial compliance requirements.
• Conduct internal process reviews (internal audits) of country offices where required.
• Review the bi-weekly payment runs for the UK office and the monthly country office fund requests, ensuring cash flow planning is in place for these payments.
• Ensure asset registers are maintained appropriately.

2. Administration

• Support staff in conducting procurement in line with Vision Action’s procurement policy.
• Assist with preparation for quarterly Board meetings.
• Support office management tasks.

3. Other

• Review and develop existing policies and procedures (e.g. the Finance Manual).
• Conduct staff training on relevant policies and procedures.
• Any other task reasonably requested by your line manager.

Person Specification

Competencies
Essential

• Delivering Results: Dynamic self-starter able to work independently within a small entrepreneurial team.
• Process improvements: Continual review financial processes and identifying areas for improvement.
• Time Management: Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborative: Able to work closely within a small team in the UK and overseas.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Adaptable and sensitive to working patterns and styles in diverse cultural contexts.
• Accuracy: Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Leadership and Management: Lead by example and support colleagues.

Qualifications and experience
Essential

• CCAB fully qualified accountant or finalist, proficient at using MS Office (Advanced Excel)
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in a finance role.
• Preparation of financial accounts.
• Preparation of financial information for senior leadership.
• Preparation of information for and hosting of external auditors.
• Organisational budgeting.
• Budgeting for and reporting to donors.
• Setting up reporting systems to ensure accurate and transparent financial reporting to donors.
• Establishing financial controls and systems.
• Using accounting packages.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable

• Experience of working in an international charity.
• Preparing charity accounts in accordance with SORP 2015.
• Preparing financial information for Board members.
• Involvement in a financial systems upgrade.
• Conducting internal audits.
• Using QuickBooks.
• Experience of working in international development.

Job Title: Digital Transformation Lead

Hours: Full Time 35 hours per week. We are open to flexible working and hybrid options for this role. Fixed term post for 2 years.

Reporting to Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Salary £50,000 FTE 

Job Purpose

The Digital Transformation Lead will spearhead the implementation of the Cathedral’s Digital Strategy. Working closely with the Cathedral Leadership Team, Heads of Department, and wider stakeholders, this role will lead the integration of digital systems, improve data management, drive operational efficiency, and support audience engagement through technology. The postholder will ensure the Cathedral’s digital infrastructure aligns with strategic priorities, supports compliance (including the UK GDPR), and unlocks new opportunities for outreach, engagement, fundraising, and income generation.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead change management and actively support a culture of inclusion, ensuring that all members of the Cathedral community, regardless of age, background, digital literacy, or ability, can engage with and benefit from new systems and technologies.

· Create and implement change management plans including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, training, and accessible support materials.

· Build trust and reduce resistance to change through transparent communication, sensitivity, and practical support.

· Lead the delivery of the Cathedral’s Digital Strategy in collaboration with senior leadership and departmental teams.

· Oversee the delivery and integration of proposed digital solutions and critical systems, including vendor management, stakeholder coordination and budgeting, ensuring alignment with organisational needs and long-term strategic goals.

· Develop a single view of all worshippers, visitors, and users to improve segmentation, targeting, and communications.

· Ensure that all new systems and data processes are fully compliant with UK GDPR and other relevant data protection legislation.

· Identify and drive efficiencies through new ways of working, leveraging technology to enable long-term cost savings and improved workflows.

· Ensure integrated systems provide accessible and actionable data to support new commercial and fundraising opportunities.

· Improve data management practices to enhance personalised and targeted communications, deepening engagement and relationships.

· Deliver comprehensive training to staff on new systems and processes to ensure a digitally confident and capable workforce.

· Create clear, practical guides and workbooks to support the rollout and continued use of new digital tools and workflows.

Person Specification

Essential

· Have the right to live and work in the UK

· Degree or equivalent experience in digital transformation, IT, business systems, or a related field

· Strong understanding of digital systems, data management, CRM platforms, and UK GDPR compliance

· Proven track record of leading digital transformation projects, including system integration, stakeholder engagement, and change management

· Experience managing complex projects, including budgeting, supplier coordination, and cross-functional collaboration

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and build positive working relationships with individuals at all levels of the organisation and externally

· Experience designing and delivering training and support materials for digital tools and workflows

· Ability to interpret data to inform decision-making, improve engagement, and identify efficiencies

· Commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and supporting users of all digital literacy levels

· Good time management skills – able to balance conflicting priorities and meet deadlines

· Commitment to personal development and continued learning

· Demonstrating commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults

Desirable

· Able to work in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Church of England

· Experience working in heritage, faith-based, or charitable organisations

· Familiarity with digital tools for audience engagement, fundraising, and income generation

Main Terms and Conditions

Employment status: Fixed Term for 2 years

Location: Wells Cathedral, 16 Market Place, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2RB

Hours of work: 35 working hours per week. Core hours are 9.00 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday to Friday) with an unpaid lunch break of 1 hour each day. Flexible working will be considered.

Remuneration: £50,000 per annum, payable on the 24th of the month or the nearest working day thereto.

Discount: A discount of 10% is available from the Cathedral Shop and The Loft Café.

Parking: Limited parking is available in the Cathedral car park. Cars are parked at the risk of the owner.

Pension: Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary:

Age Employee Employer

<50 3% 5%

50–55 4% 8%

>55 5% 10% 

Expenses: All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with Cathedral policy.

Holiday: 5 working weeks plus Bank Holidays per year. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Probation: This post will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

How to Apply

Closing date: 28 September 2025

A completed Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form should be returned to the Human Resources Department by email. Please follow instructions on our website.

Shortlisting date: 1 October 2025

To ensure the fairness of the selection process, shortlisting will be based upon the information which you provide in your application and assumptions will not be made about your experience or skills.

We will look for demonstrable evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Information provided on the application form will be viewed by HR, the recruiting manager, and interview panel. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the shortlisting process.

Interview date: 8 October 2025

Further details about the interview process will be provided to shortlisted candidates. The appointment will be subject to the completion of pre-employment checks, including references and a satisfactory basic DBS check.