Senior communications officer jobs in camden, milton keynes

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.

At Northampton Students’ Union, we’re building a more connected, inclusive student experience, and we need a creative, energetic organiser to help make it happen.

As our Events & Community Coordinator, you’ll design and deliver a packed schedule of daytime events that help students build friendships, feel at home on campus, and make the most of their university life. From social sports and quiz afternoons to crafts and board games, you’ll be at the heart of what makes Northampton fun.

You’ll also be in charge of bringing life to the Engine Shed, our on-campus café/bar, turning it into a social hub where students come to relax, recharge, and belong.

But this role goes beyond the campus gates. You’ll work closely with local businesses and community groups to bring exciting new opportunities and partnerships to our students, creating events and activities that connect them to the wider town, and foster a real sense of place in Northampton.

If you’ve got a talent for events, a passion for student life, and the confidence to build relationships that make a difference, this is your chance to shape something special.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develop and deliver a rolling programme of inclusive daytime events, including casual sports, entertainment, craft/hobby sessions, and intramural activities with student clubs.
2. Plan and run engaging events in the Engine Shed café/bar to increase footfall and create a social campus environment.
3. Build partnerships with local businesses and community groups to increase student engagement with the wider town and develop town-centre activations.
4. Coach and Support our Elected Officers with their independent campaign and event work, ensuring synergy between one’s own work, and that of the elected team.
5. Promote all events through digital channels and on-campus marketing.
6. Complete thorough risk assessments for all events, ensuring health, safety, and accessibility are prioritised.
7. Maintain accurate records of activities, feedback, and attendance to evaluate and improve impact.
8. Support wider Students’ Union events and cross-team campaigns as needed.
9. Support the Marketing Manager with the delivery of Open Day events and activities.

Cord is an international charity working to make peace a reality where people don’t have the freedom to exercise their rights. We work to build the relationship between those in power and local communities. 

We believe that people flourish when all parts of society work together. Peaceful relationships make that possible. The simple act of talking begins a journey of growth which transforms mistrust, includes the excluded and turns adversaries into allies.

Cord operates in eight countries and implements programmes in the following areas:

• Empowering Women & Girls
• Accessing Fundamental Freedoms
• Climate & the Environment
• Economic Empowerment
• Supporting Stronger Societies

We are a small, committed team who love working together to make a huge impact. If you like the sound of us, then take a look at the recruitment pack and come and join our team!

About the Role

Are you someone who is passionate about seeing positive change in our world? Can you bring knowledge and creativity in designing innovative and effective peacebuilding programmes?

We are looking for someone to support our programmes and institutional fundraising with excellent writing skills, who is passionate about addressing the root causes of and inequalities caused by conflict. You will be someone passionate about the work Cord does and who can bring technical institutional funding expertise alongside peacebuilding knowledge to our small and committed team.

In this role you will lead the development of new programmes and institutional funding bids in line with Cord’s peacebuilding approach and 5 main programme areas. You will manage proposal submissions to Cord's key donors such as the EU, US State Department, GIZ, SDC, UN Peacebuilding Fund etc. You will be working closely with country teams to design and write proposals based on strong project designs developed in partnership with our local partners.

The role will also operate at a strategic level by managing Cord’s relationships with key donors and shaping how Cord communicates about its programmes and the added-value that Cord brings.

If you like what you read and are passionate about real and lasting change, come and join us and be part of the Cord story.

Application Instructions

To apply please send you CV and a covering letter that explains your interest in Cord and the role, and details how you fulfil the requirements of the role.  

Please note:  Funding for this position is contingent upon the successful award of external funding that is currently in process and expected to be finalised in Autumn 2025. Whilst the recruitment selection process will run concurrently, the official appointment of this role will take place after funding is officially secured.

This is a UK based remote role and applicants must have the right to work in the UK and the ability to travel to Coventry for team meetings. 

JOB TITLE: HR Coordinator

LOCATION: Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire (minimum 3 days in office per week)

SALARY: £35 - £40k FTE (pro rata) based on experience

JOB TYPE: Permanent, 4 days per week (30 hours)

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease with our Bio Detection Dogs.  We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small, but ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist innovative field.

MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

The HR Coordinator will provide specialist and proactive support to other departments within the charity to ensure organisational compliance in all relevant areas relating to HR.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Reporting to the People Engagement Manager, you will be supporting the Charity to set and deliver on its People Strategy. You will be responsible for providing operational HR services, advice, and guidance with a primary focus on HR transactions, employee relations management, engagement, recruitment and performance management.  You will identify, analyse and utilise HR data to inform decision making and identify more efficient ways of working.

Reports to: People Engagement Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will lead the development and implementation of a best practice approach to recruitment.

You will advise managers on best practice techniques for monthly one-to-one meetings and annual appraisals to ensure staff feel confident to openly discuss challenges as well as successes.

You will review and update our existing HR policies and procedures, ensuring they not only comply with current HR law but importantly promote best practice.

You will also work with the senior leadership team to develop a set of organisational values that prioritise equality, diversity and inclusion and reflect best practice, ensuring these are then communicated to all staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.

This is a rare opportunity to join a charity that wants to strengthen the support it provides to its staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities of the Role

· Maintain all HR policies and procedures ensuring they are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect relevant legislation and best practice.

· Ensure managers and staff are aware of and understand policies and procedures, communicate changes, and provide support to managers when interpreting policies as required.

· To work in collaboration with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team in leading Medical Detection Dogs towards our vision of becoming a staff-centric charity.

· Provide an efficient service to deliver HR transaction activities throughout the employment lifecycle, from offer to off-boarding.

· Provide support, guidance, and advice for managers in conducting and concluding employee relations cases, including absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases, ensuring adherence to policy.

· Manage, maintain, and deliver the charity’s onboarding induction to new members of staff.

· Always maintain the highest levels of discretion and confidentiality.

· Be a role model within the charity demonstrating MDD’s values and behaviours at all times.

· Monitor completion of performance appraisals and one to one meetings, issuing reminders and offering support to managers as required.

· Coordinate and support the delivery of employee engagement surveys, including planning, analysis, reporting and follow up actions.

· Produce regular HR reports and people data metrics for the Senior Leadership Team (e.g. turnover, tenure, sickness absence trends, performance outcomes).

· Maintain and update the HR system (Breathe HR), ensuring employee records are accurate and up to date.

· Prepare and submit monthly payroll changes to the finance team in line with payroll deadlines.

· Manage staff benefits including the health cash plan, life assurance, pension scheme and long service awards.

· Produce and circulate internal HR communications such as staff newsletters, HR updates and policy changes.

· Coordinate and support learning and development activities, including booking and maintaining training records and delivering HR related training for managers and staff (e.g. one to ones, appraisals, HR systems).

· Assist in developing employee engagement initiatives.

· Contribute to wellbeing and inclusion initiatives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

· CIPD Qualified and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role or currently undertaking the qualification.

· Employee relations (e.g. performance, absence, disciplinary, grievance, redundancy, etc) case management in line with current UK employment legislation

· Management of end-to-end recruitment activity, supporting hiring managers and focussed on candidate experience

· Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills

· Experience of managing relationships with staff at all levels

Desirable

· Experience of reward and recognition practices

· Experience of managing and inspiring staff, including encouraging innovation and improving ways of working to build a resilient and high performing team culture that delivers results

· Effective organisation and administrative skills gained within HR

· Experience on use of HR database (BREATHE)

Knowledge & Skills

DESIRABLE

• Ability to work independently and under minimal supervision in a fast paced and demanding environment, exercising good judgement, and using own initiative.
• Ability to work supportively and effectively within and across teams and build good working relationships
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when appropriate
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office

· Highly effective written and verbal communication skills

· Good influencing and negotiation skills

· Strong people management skills with the ability to train and develop individuals and create a ‘one team’ ethos

Other Requirements

· A full current driving license

· Comfortable with dogs in the workplace/office

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Benefits

· Sick Pay

· Health Cash Plan

· 26 days holiday, increasing with service

· 5% Employer Pension Contribution

· Free On-site parking

· Life Insurance