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.  Globally, we support projects in countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, transforming lives through direct care, community training, collaborative partnerships and advocacy work to improve the way donkeys are treated.

We have an excellent opportunity for an Animal Health Assistant (AHA) to join our team at our Lamu office. As an Animal Health Assistant (AHA) you will provide clinical support to the veterinary surgeon in the provision of routine and emergency animal health services, ensuring improved health and welfare of donkeys in line with The Donkey Sanctuary (TDS) Kenya’s standards and code of practice

About you:

• Diploma in Animal Health or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Registered and retained by the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB).
• At least 2 years of practical experience in animal health or veterinary support work.
• Excellent clinical and animal handling skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with community members and colleagues.
• Willingness to work in rural and field-based environments.
• Excellent written and spoken Kiswahili.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft packages.
• Willingness to undertake work related training as required.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Assist the veterinary surgeons in provision of routine and emergency clinical care of donkeys at the TDS Lamu Clinic and field outreach within the guidelines to Professional Conduct as issued by the Kenya Veterinary Board.
• Support veterinary surgeons during treatments, procedures, and animal handling.
• Assist with basic animal health interventions, wound management, and post-treatment care as directed.
• Support record keeping, including treatment records, inventory, and daily activity logs.
• Assist in community outreach, education, and training of donkey owners and handlers where required.
• Prepare instruments, treatment kits, and supplies for daily clinics and field visits.
• Supervise the burial of donkeys that die under the clinic’s care to ensure the process is carried out in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene of equipment and work areas.
• Support stock management of veterinary supplies and equipment under supervision.

What we offer in return:

Based on Lamu Island – approximately 150 miles north of Mombasa, Kenya –this is a full-time, fixed term contract starting as soon as possible until 31 January 2027, working 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility may be required for occasional evening and weekend work.

Applicants for this role must have the legal right to live and work in Kenya.

Please note that interviews will take place on Friday 27 February 2026, in person in Lamu.

Closing date for completed applications: Wednesday 25 February 2026.

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.

The Donkey Sanctuary also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and, for relevant posts, may request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

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.