Communications officer jobs
The vacancy
We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.
About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct. For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.
About the Council
The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services. The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians). At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary.
The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders.
Remuneration and time commitment
Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses). The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.
The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
How to apply:
Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org
· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;
· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.
If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.
We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.
We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contracted Weekly Hours: 37.5. Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Contract type: 12 months
Salary: £25, 890.72 per year
Annual Leave:25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays per annum
Location:Based in Bournemouth, with extensive travel across BCP and the Dorset area. Hybrid working option for some of the time when not on visits.
International Care Network is a Christian charity whose aim is to help to rebuild the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. We are looking for two experienced support workers to support individuals and families under all relevant Government resettlement schemes (predominantly Afghan, but not limited to), who have been resettled in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset. The case load for one of these roles will be primarily, but not exclusively based in Dorset (primarily Weymouth, Dorchester and Sherborne) and so travel to these locations will be a significant element of the role. The caseload for the other role will be primarily based in BCP, but travel to Dorset will still be expected. You will need a valid UK driving licence, your own reliable vehicle and to be a confident driver for this role.
ICN provides benefits to staff including:
- Company pension scheme.
- Travel costs paid for at 45p per mile, not including travel to and from work.
- Staff welfare opportunities including socials and access to external clinical supervision.
- Training opportunities relevant to role.
ICN will seek to ensure that all existing and potential employees are given equal opportunities. We are committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in our employment policies and practices. Our aim is to promote diversity so that no employee or potential employee will be subject to unlawful or unfair discrimination because of gender, age, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality or other ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity or membership or non-membership of a trade union or political beliefs. We will seek to ensure that no applicant for employment is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be justified.
ICN take the safeguarding of service users, staff and volunteers very seriously, with a robust safeguarding policy and process in place. As part of this ICN are committed to developing a safe culture ensuring that all steps are taken to recruit staff and volunteers who are safe to work with our service users and staff, including requiring relevant DBS checks to be taken for roles working with children and/or vulnerable adults.
ICN's mission is to help to rebuild the lives of asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for a motivated, innovative, creative person, with a passion to share the gospel, to become part of a mission team using rap and/or singing as part of a Hip Hop/Pop group.
You’ll be adding to the work of the existing ministries of The Message by being a key member of a mission team who will visit high schools/Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and prisons across the region, delivering a creative package of assemblies, lessons and concert programs.
Could applicants please forward a 3-5min YouTube video introducing yourself, telling us your journey of faith, and showing a short performance highlighting your creative ability.
- Check out the benefits of working at The Message here: Benefits - The Message
- Hear the heart of what we are about at The Message: Message Values Talk - The Message
Job description and Working for the Message document attached.
This post has been identified as having a GOR to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title: Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)
Location: The GAIA Centre (Lambeth)
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
This is an opportunity to join Refuge as an IGVA supporting women and children who are impacted by different strands of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The independent gender violence advocate will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence at the highest risk and their children.
The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender-based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence). The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support. The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options
The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal, and practical options that might increase their safety.
Closing Date: 09:00am 5 August 2025
Interview Date: 14 and 15 August 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The post-holder will be responsible for providing support and advocacy to LGBTQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum, ensuring they have access to essential services, resources, and community networks to enhance their wellbeing and integration.
This post is proudly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
We seek someone with experience working with diverse communities. Knowledge/understanding of some of the common experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ people, and people living with HIV.
The ideal candidate will possess a relevant qualification (such as an NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education) or equivalent experience, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills (working with staff, volunteers, and service users), excellent organisational skills, and enthusiasm.
Sahir stands as the oldest LGBTQ+ charity in the Liverpool City Region. We’re also a proud support organisation for people living with HIV.
The post-holder will be responsible for deliver a range of support interventions for people newly diagnosed with HIV, and those re-engaging in their HIV care, who may be identified via Emergency Department Opt-Out testing in Liverpool.
Collaboratively work with Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUFHT) to ensure people living with HIV receive practical, social and emotional support. The delivery of peer support in a clinic setting and, in the community, and onward referrals to relevant services.
Ensure that people living with HIV in vulnerable circumstances are supported to minimise the risk of them returning to ‘need to find’ status and remain engaged in services.
We seek someone with experience working with diverse communities. Knowledge and understanding of the common experiences and need of people living with HIV is essential.
The ideal candidate will possess a relevant qualification (such as an NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education) or equivalent experience, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills (working with staff, volunteers, and service users), excellent organisational skills, and enthusiasm.
Sahir stands as the oldest LGBTQ+ charity in the Liverpool City Region. We’re also a proud support organisation for people living with HIV.