Advisory Panel Member - Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Required

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint nine Advisory panel members for the following committees:

• Education Committee (Three vacancies: one dispensing optician and two optometrists)
• Registration Committee (Three vacancies: two dispensing opticians and one optometrist)
• Standards Committee (Three vacancies: one dispensing optician and two optometrists).

Please note that applicants cannot be appointed to more than one committee.

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 optical.org.

About the Advisory Panel

The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

• matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee;
• matters relating to optical training, education and assessment;
• matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and
• matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register.The committees and the Advisory Panel meet about twice a year. You can read the current terms of reference for the Advisory Panel, Education Committee, Registration Committee and Standards Committee.

Remuneration and time commitment

A daily fee of £319 will be paid. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule. This is taxable and subject to Class 1 National Insurance (NI) contributions. It is not pensionable.

Members can claim expenses for travel and subsistence costs incurred on Council business as set out in our expenses policy.

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at 10 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7NG or other suitable venues.

How to apply

Please apply with the following:

• 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 essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and an EDI monitoring form.

Please email your completed application to [email protected].

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

For more information about these roles please download the candidate information.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 8 September 2024

Online interviews will be held on the week commencing 11 and/or 18 November 2024.

If you have any questions, please email them to [email protected] and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.

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.

If applying for this role, please mention that you saw the advert on the OT website.