The Donkey Sanctuary
Donkey Welfare Adviser
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Donkey Welfare Adviser
We now have an excellent secondment opportunity for a dynamic and resourceful individual with a proven track record of community-based animal welfare work, excellent decision-making and time-management skills and a strong customer service ethic to join the team as Donkey Welfare Adviser for Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire.
Position: Donkey Welfare Adviser
Location: Home based/Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Hampshire (it is preferable that candidates live centrally within region to gain easy access to travel and communication networks. However, locations close to the defined area may be considered if operationally viable)
Hours: Part-time, working an average of 32 hours per week on an annualised hours basis.
Salary: £40,389 per annum
Contract: Fixed term maternity cover contract starting on 11 January 2027 until 3 April 2028
Closing Date: Sunday 4 October 2026. Please note this role may close earlier than advertised so apply as soon as possible.
Interview Date: Sidmouth, Wednesday 28 October and Tuesday 27th October 2026.
About the Role
Donkey Welfare Advisers are professionals in the field of donkey and mule welfare. They play a key front-line role in the work of the Sanctuary: responding to donkeys in need, supporting donkeys in the community, growing and managing a high-quality rehoming scheme, and acting as an ambassador for the charity at all times.
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
- Promoting good welfare for donkeys and mules by working proactively to support, guide and educate key audiences and by sharing best practice.
- Communicating effectively with groups from all social, racial, and cultural backgrounds, often in highly emotive and sometimes confrontational circumstances.
- Delivering high quality, impactful training to a range of stakeholders in a style suitable to the audience and the resources available.
- Responding to future care enquiries, working creatively to identify suitable alternatives to sanctuary care where appropriate, and gathering and co-ordinating relevant information to inform donkey placement decisions and help owners make informed choices for their donkeys, including end of life decisions.
- Supporting a good quality rehoming scheme by ensuring donkeys are placed in the most suitable environments for their needs.
- Working proactively to prevent/alleviate suffering, referring to and/or collaborating with enforcement agencies when necessary.
- Providing reliable evidence for welfare investigation cases, including witness statements and other relevant evidence in court compliant formats, and attending court to give evidence as required.
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About You
You will be a positive influencer able to promote and model our values in all areas of your work, with a high level of equine knowledge with significant experience of working with equines.
You will also have:
- A working knowledge of legal practicalities and experience of the application of relevant animal welfare legislation.
- An understanding of equine behaviour and demonstrable practical experience in the field.
- Able to influence change and respond appropriately in emotional challenging or confrontational situations.
- Excellent communicator able to deliver advice and training to stakeholder groups with varying experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills, comfortable with making new contacts and able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
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Before applying, please ensure that if successful in being called to interview, you would be able to attend in person on the specified date, as we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate requests for alternative arrangements.
Benefits
- Competitive pension.
- Life assurance – 2 x annual salary
- 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service pro rata
- Wellbeing team.
- Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.
- Long service awards.
- Healthshield plan
- Free parking.
- Life assurance.
- Subsidised restaurant and shop.
About the Organisation
Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.
The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults) and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.
You may also have experience in areas such as Welfare, Animal Welfare, Equine, Donkey, Animal Welfare Advisor, Donkey Welfare Advisor, Animal Welfare Officer, Donkey Welfare Officer.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
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