The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

We are looking for a proactive and friendly team player to join our busy Visitor Services team for the summer months. As Adoption and Lottery Host, you really will be the face of The Donkey Sanctuary, actively engaging with visitors and helping to win over hearts and minds for the charity’s worldwide work, whilst promoting our Adopt a Donkey scheme and The Donkey Sanctuary Weekly Lottery.

About you:

• Excellent customer service skills.
• Experience of working to, and achieving, measurable targets.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• Well organised and a proven self-motivator.
• Able to cope with varying pressures, resilient with a positive outlook.
• Genuine interest in the work of The Donkey Sanctuary.
• Good administration and numeracy skills.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Actively promoting the adoption scheme, The Donkey Sanctuary Weekly Lottery and the charity’s mission to our visitors, explaining how their adoption and/or playing the lottery will support the work of The Donkey Sanctuary worldwide.
• Recruiting new supporters to the adoption scheme to an agreed target, and encouraging them to pay by direct debit and to sign a gift aid declaration.
• Directing new supporters to ways they can sign up to play the lottery – speaking knowledgeably and confidently about the programme with a clear understanding of our lottery rules and responsible gambling.
• Ensuring all paperwork is completed accurately and new adopter information is safeguarded in accordance with GDPR.
• Attending Donkey Sanctuary events as required to promote the adoption scheme and to promote The Donkey Sanctuary Weekly Lottery.
• Engaging visitors in the charity at every opportunity, and advising on visitor facilities at Slade House Farm.
• Assisting in the Visitors’ Centre and with other fundraising activities as required.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an area of outstanding natural beauty – Fixed term variable hours contract running until 14th September 2025, with a guaranteed 16 hours per week, with the opportunity to work up to 28 hours per week on some occasions over five out of seven days - this is  will include some weekend work. 

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life Assurance.

31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing Team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long Service Awards.

Healthshield Plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 29 April 2025,

The Donkey Sanctuary is 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.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.