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It is an exciting and challenging time for the international development sector. Vision Action is seeking to appoint two new Trustees, one of whom will serve as Chair Designate, to bring experience, insight, and energy in support of our ambition to increase equitable access to basic eye care services in Ghana, Zambia, and Ethiopia (with plans to expand further).

Vision Action was born in 2022 out of the merger to two charities, Vision for a Nation, an award-winning charity founded by the philanthropist James Chen and operating in Rwanda which developed a unique model for providing basic eye care in under-resourced settings, and Vision Aid Overseas, founded in the 1980s to establish accessible vision centres across Africa.  To learn more about our work please visit our website at Vision Action. The role of the Board of Trustees is to oversee the direction and activities of the charity, including its policies and procedures, to ensure that they are consistently in accordance with the charitable purposes defined in the objects clause in its Constitution. The Board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the charity, although the implementation of strategy is achieved through the executive team.

Terms of service

For Vision Action the Trustees are Members who have been elected to serve on the Board. Vision Action’s constitution allows for up to 12 Trustees, who can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms of three years.  Vision Action is a company limited by guarantee and the Trustees are its legal directors. The Trustee role is voluntary but out of pocket expenses are paid.  Trustees are appointed by the Vision Action Board of Trustees annually at the Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The time commitment in being a trustee involves attendance at four Board meetings per year, one of which will be an all-day strategy session. Otherwise, Board meetings are usually half a day in the afternoon of a weekday with at least half the meetings online.  Papers are circulated for reading in advance. There may be other ad-hoc meetings or online events to discuss specific topics.

Main tasks

Charity Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. Each Trustee will be expected to join one of the two sub-committees (Finance and Fundraising; and Programmes and Research). The Committees meet remotely at least four times per year, usually timed with or in advance of the board meetings. 

General Responsibilities

• Ensure that Vision Action complies with its governing document (i.e. its Constitution and Bylaws), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that Vision Action pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• Ensure Vision Action applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in the formulation and review of strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure that all policies are implemented, monitored and reports are acted upon, (including the policies on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Recruitment, Child Protection and Anti- Bribery).
• Appoint and support the Co-Chief Executive Officers and monitor their performance.

Additional Specific Responsibilities

In addition to the above, we are looking for a Trustee who can be the Chair Designate and assume the role of Chair in December 2025.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Each Trustee must demonstrate:

• A commitment to the mission and values of Vision Action.
• A commitment to Vision Action’s key organisational policies, including those on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Whistleblowing, Recruitment, Child Protection, and Anti-Bribery.
• Good, independent judgement.
• Willingness to represent, advocate for, and support the work of the charity.

Desirable Experience

While not essential, experience in the following areas would be an advantage:

• Leadership or senior management experience in business, the third sector, or civil service.
• Understanding of the International Development or Global Health sectors.
• Fundraising, philanthropy, or partnership development.

1.  Terms of Service.

The Chair is appointed by the Board annually for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. He/she will normally assume his/her appointment at the Board meeting following the AGM in November.

2.  Main Tasks:

• To lead the Board in ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action.
• To ensure the Trustees set and regularly review policy, overall strategy and objectives.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s funding target.
• To guide the Co-Chief Executives, to help achieve Vision Action’s objectives.
• To monitor approved strategies and business plans.

3.  Specific Duties relating to:

3.1 Ensuring the Board fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action:

• To chair meetings of the Board, seeing that it functions effectively and carries out its duties.
• To ensure the Board works within the framework of law, Charity Commission guidelines and management best practice.
• To ensure that the policies of the Board are compliant with its charity objectives.
• To ensure the Trustees set overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them.
• In conjunction with the Treasurer, to ensure Vision Action’s financial dealings are prudently and systematically accounted for in compliance with legal requirements.
• Make recommendations on the composition of the Board, with a view to succession, and future Chair.
• To serve as an additional spokesman for, and promoter of Vision Action (Note: The Co-Chief Executives act as the primary spokespeople)

3.2 To ensure Trustees develop overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them:

• To incorporate the skills and experience of the trustees and the Co-Chief Executives’ team in the development of strategic objectives and planning processes.
• Identify with the Co-Chief Executives, clear objectives and key performance indicators

3.3 Helping the Co-Chief Executives achieve Vision Action’s mission:

• The Chair should always adopt an attitude of strategic overview and avoid becoming immersed in the day-to- day details of running Vision Action. Such matters are the responsibility of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To support and monitor the work of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To assist in the promotion of Vision Action to a wider audience of potential donors and beneficiaries.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s fundraising target.

3.4 Optimising the relationship between the Board, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders:

• In consultation with the Co-Chief Executives, to agree the annual calendar of Board meetings and major events involving Vision Action.
• To thank and encourage Vision Action volunteers, staff and other stakeholders as opportunities present themselves.
• To conduct the annual appraisal of the Co-Chief Executives and agree their annual objectives and performance measures.

Purpose

To plan, create, and develop high-quality, neuro-affirming social media that grows our audience, drives enquiries for services and groups, and protects the wellbeing and dignity of our community.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning

  • Develop a simple, channel-specific content plan (quarterly themes; monthly calendar; weekly posts).

  • Align content with the organisational strategy, campaigns, and fundraising/activity cycles.

• Content Creation & Publishing

  • Write clear, accessible copy; produce short-form video, graphics, and carousels consistent with brand guidelines.

  • Schedule and publish across core platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X) using approved tools.

  • Ensure accessibility (alt text, captions, readable layouts) and apply a neuro-affirming style.

• Community Management

  • Monitor comments and messages; respond or triage sensitively using agreed tone and response scripts.

  • Enforce house rules; escalate safeguarding concerns via the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

• Campaigns & Partnerships

  • Support campaign roll-outs (service launches, recruitment, fundraising); coordinate with colleagues and partners.

  • Source and manage consented user stories; maintain a compliant photo/video asset bank.

• Insights & Reporting

  • Track core metrics (reach, engagement, click-throughs, conversions to sign-ups or enquiries).

  • Produce a concise monthly dashboard with highlights, risks, and next steps; test and learn.

• Governance & Compliance

  • Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, and data-protection standards (GDPR/ICO).

  • Follow brand, style, and approvals processes; maintain a crisis-communications/escalation log.

  • Avoid clinical advice or individual case discussion on public channels.

Person Specification

Essential

• Clear, audience-centred writing and editing skills; confident with short-form video and basic design.

• Working knowledge of at least two platforms listed above and a scheduler (e.g., Meta Business Suite/Buffer).

• Sound judgement online; able to moderate calmly and escalate concerns appropriately.

• Commitment to accessibility, equality, diversity, and inclusion; comfortable with a neuro-affirming approach.

• Organised, reliable, and able to meet light weekly deadlines with minimal supervision.

Desirable

• Familiarity with analytics, UTM links, and simple reporting in spreadsheets or dashboards.

• Experience in a charity/VCSE, education, health, or workplace inclusion context.

• Basic Canva/Adobe skills and simple video editing on mobile/desktop.

• Understanding of safeguarding in digital spaces; MHFA or similar is a bonus.

• Lived experience of ADHD or neurodivergence (welcomed but not required).

Safeguarding & Data Protection

• This rôle interacts with the public online. You will complete safeguarding and data-protection briefings and follow our escalation procedures. A DBS check may be requested depending on activity (e.g., direct engagement with young people or vulnerable adults at events).

Induction, Support & Benefits

• Induction covering brand, tone, safeguarding, data protection, and tools.

• Named supervisor (Managing Director or Marketing & Communications Lead) with regular check-ins.

• Training resources (accessibility, inclusive language, social media best practice).

• References and portfolio credit for significant campaigns.

Success Measures (first 3–6 months)

• Consistent content cadence delivered against the calendar.

• Month-on-month growth in reach/engagement and click-throughs to priority actions (event sign-ups, enquiries).

• Evident improvement in accessibility and brand consistency.

• Clear moderation record with timely escalations and zero unmanaged risks.

How to Apply

Please send a short CV or LinkedIn profile and 2–3 examples of posts/reels/graphics you have produced (links or files). In a brief covering note (max 300 words), outline:

1. a channel you enjoy and why,

2. a quick idea for a one-month content theme for ThriveSpark, and

3. your typical availability.

ThriveSpark CIC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those with lived experience of ADHD or neurodivergence to apply. Adjustments are available throughout recruitment and volunteering.

Director of Finance & Resources/Treasurer

(Initially voluntary; with a clear pathway to a salaried position, subject to funding and Board approval)

Purpose of the role

To provide strategic and operational leadership of the Company’s finance and corporate resources, with primary focus on (i) securing and stewarding capital to fund growth (grants, contracts, social investment, loans and—if applicable—dividend-capped equity), and (ii) ensuring that statutory accounts and regulatory returns are produced accurately and on time. The post-holder will advise the Board on financial strategy, risk, and organisational resilience.

Status
This appointment is initially voluntary (reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed). It is intended to convert to a salaried position once sustainable funding is secured and subject to Board approval, organisational need, and satisfactory performance. A formal review point will be held within 12 months of appointment.

Key outcomes (first 12 months)

• A funded capital plan approved by the Board and funds secured across diversified sources.

• Unqualified, on-time year-end accounts filed; all Companies House/CIC Regulator/HMRC deadlines met.

• Robust monthly management accounts, cash-flow forecasting and KPI reporting delivered to schedule.

• Fit-for-purpose finance policies, internal controls and delegated authorities embedded.

• Corporate resources (people, IT, premises, procurement) aligned to budget and service needs.

Main responsibilities

1) Capital strategy and income generation

• Design and execute a capital-raising strategy spanning grants, service contracts, philanthropy, social investment, and (where appropriate) repayable finance or dividend-capped equity compliant with CIC rules.

• Cultivate funder, bank, investor and commissioner relationships; produce investment cases, decks and due-diligence packs.

• Lead pricing and full-cost-recovery modelling for traded services and bids.

2) Financial leadership, control and reporting

• Lead budgeting and medium-term financial planning; provide scenario and sensitivity analyses.

• Produce monthly management accounts, cash-flow forecasts and variance reports with actionable insights.

• Maintain accurate ledgers, reconciliations and internal controls (authorisations, procurement, segregation of duties, reserves and treasury).

• Manage the year-end process (audit/independent examination), statutory accounts preparation, and filing of the CIC34 alongside Companies House deadlines.

• Oversee payroll, pensions, expenses, VAT/Corporation Tax compliance (as applicable).

3) Governance, risk and compliance

• Act as principal adviser to the Board on financial risk; maintain the risk register and insurances.

• Ensure compliance with Companies Act, CIC Regulator requirements (including dividend caps if limited by shares), funder conditions, and data protection in finance systems.

• Be the lead interface with auditors/examiners, the bank, investment partners and HMRC.

4) Resources (people, IT, premises, procurement)

• Oversee efficient, compliant corporate services: HR administration, recruitment controls, onboarding and resource planning.

• Drive value-for-money procurement and contract management for key suppliers (finance system, IT, telephony, premises).

• Champion simple, accessible systems and reporting that support frontline delivery.

5) Leadership and culture

• Model ethical stewardship and the asset-lock; promote transparency and accountability.

• Develop finance/resources staff and volunteers; build financial literacy across teams.

• Contribute actively to Board decision-making as a statutory director.

Person specification

Essential

• Demonstrable success in raising capital (grants, contracts, social investment, loans or dividend-capped equity) within VCSE/social-enterprise contexts.

• Proven delivery of timely, accurate statutory and management accounts.

• Strong financial modelling, budgeting and cash-flow skills; ability to brief non-specialists.

• Hands-on experience with modern accounting systems (e.g., Xero/QuickBooks) and Excel.

• Sound understanding of governance, risk and internal controls for UK companies/CICs.

• Excellent stakeholder management and written communication; meticulous with deadlines.

Desirable

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA (or equivalent experience).

• Knowledge of FRS 102, Companies Act reporting, CIC dividend rules and the CIC34.

• Experience of commissioning/public-sector contracts or social-investment due diligence.

• Oversight of HR/IT/procurement in a growth environment.

Time commitment and terms

• Time: [e.g., 2–4 days per month], including Board/Finance & Resources Committee meetings.

• Status/Remuneration: Initially voluntary (expenses reimbursed). Conversion to salaried post at Board discretion, subject to secured funding, organisational need and satisfactory performance at a later review. 

• Location: Southampton or Remote

• Reports to: Managing Director; works closely with senior colleagues.