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.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Aga Khan Foundation (UK), is hiring a Finance Manager, to lead the financial management and oversight of Schools2030 programme, ensuring timely, accurate and compliant financial accounting, reporting, and oversight. The role will support the delivery of all financial aspects of the Schools2030 programme, including donor reporting, reconciliations, cost recovery, budgeting, and compliance, in close collaboration with programme colleagues and the wider AKF(UK) finance team.
Financial oversight, planning, and reporting
• Produce monthly financial reports on Schools2030 for the AKF(UK) Finance Committee.
• Produce quarterly financial reports on Schools2030 for the Schools2030 management team and AKF Geneva.
• Produce monthly financial reports on Schools2030 spend in the UK for the Schools2030 UK team.
• Prepare all Schools2030 donor financial reports and ensure consistency with internal data.
• Review all financial transactions related to Schools2030 on a monthly basis and ensure that they are correct including cost recovery, co-financing, bank balances, and coding.
• Monitor financial balances for Schools2030 programme by grant, country and donor and immediately highlight any issues to the Programme Finance Manager.
• Ensure all Schools2030 grants are up to date in the Grant Management Tracker.
• Ensure all Schools2030 grants are up to date in the Co-financing Tracker.
• Ensure all Schools2030 grants are up to date in the cost recovery forecast.
Financial controls, compliance, and audit
• Ensure all Schools2030 grants are reconciled at least once every three months.
• Monitor and review foreign exchange gains and losses on all Schools2030 grants and highlight any areas of concern to the Programme Finance Manager.
• Develop and implement controls to ensure compliance with donor requirements and maintain appropriate donor stewardship, including through manuals, checklists, templates, and other tools.
• Ensure adherence to all financial policies, especially authorisation, procurement and due diligence
• Lead the Schools2030 annual budgeting and forecasting exercise including allocation of grants across programmatic workstreams, country units, UK team and the global team and updating for changes in donors or activities.
• Support the annual organisational budgeting and forecasting exercise.
Grants, contracts, and suppliers
• Review and approve all Schools2030 partner budgets for proposals and reforecasts.
• Review and approve all Schools2030 donor budgets for proposals and reforecasts.
• Review and approve all Schools2030 donor cash requests as required by donor contracts.
• Review and approve all Schools2030 sub-grant agreements.
• Ensure all Schools2030 SGA balance tracking is up to date for all Schools2030 grants.
• Ensure all Schools2030 partners understand reporting and compliance requirements.
• Ensure Schools2030 partner quarterly BvA reports are reviewed, any necessary documentation checks carried out and any inconsistencies identified.
• Review and monitor the internal tool (AIMS) for tracking pipeline and secured funding and ensure it is up to date at all times.
• Oversee supplier tracking, including contracts, payment schedules, and documentation.
• Ensure all Schools2030 financial documents are stored on SharePoint in a structured and accessible way.
Supporting others
• Line manage the Finance Officer, Schools2030, ensuring clear objectives, regular check-ins, and ongoing support.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the Programme Finance Manager or the Head of Finance and Operations
Qualifications
• CCAB qualified accountant.
Experience
• 5 years relevant experience in financial accounting and financial reporting
• Experience of designing and managing effective administrative systems and procedures
• Experience of budgeting, forecasting and financial planning
• Experience working in international organisations or donor agencies including field-level implementation highly desirable.
• Experience working with Institutional donors or Trusts and Foundations and familiarity with the various compliance rules and regulations highly desirable.
Skills
• Good interpersonal, customer care and liaison skills with a wide range of stakeholders
• First rate oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Ability to problem solve, working with both internal and external stakeholders to deliver results.
• Ability to work in a multi-institution network within a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluent in oral and written English
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel
• Excellent numeracy, financial analysis, and financial presentation skills
• Ability to synthesise complex operational and financial details for reporting and presentation.
Knowledge
• Broad understanding and experience of development issues and organisations
• Understanding of and appreciation for ADKN’s goals, values and ethics
• Knowledge of charity accounting
Application Details:
• Must have right to work in the UK.
• Must include CV and a supporting statement that outlines why they want the role, why they want to work for AKF(UK) and how their experiences and skills to date will make them the most suitable applicant for the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.