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 have an excellent opportunity for a flexible and friendly individual to join our Estates and Facilities department as Cleaner. Ideally possessing previous cleaning experience, you will ensure that all public and staff areas of the main sanctuary sites are kept in a safe and clean condition and presented to the highest standard.

About you:

• Able to implement and adhere to standards and procedures.
• Excellent communication skills and fluent in English.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Able to work on own initiative.
• A real team player.
• Proactive and self-motivated.
• Full valid driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include – 

• Ensuring all cleaning duties are carried out effectively and promptly.
• Assisting with a safe, responsive and efficient cleaning service for all events and activities.
• Ensuring safe and proper use of correct cleaning materials for each specific job following COSHH instructions.
• Cleaning all public areas, offices and toilets around the main sanctuary sites.
• Dealing with incidents and accidents promptly and effectively.
• Keeping cleaning equipment in a tidy and clean condition and ensuring the equipment is of a good standard.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an area of outstanding natural beauty – this is a part-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, Working a 40 hour fortnight, please note this role works on a two week rolling rota, see below for the breakdown:

Week 1, 22 hours:  
Mon   11.00 -19.00
Thurs 15.00 -19.00
Sat   07.00- 12.00
Sun   07.00 -12.00
Tues, Wed and Fri, days off

Week 2, 18 hours:  
Mon  06.00 - 11.00
Wed  12.00 - 19.00
Thurs 13.00 -19.00
Tues, Fri, Sat and Sun,  days off.

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 17 March 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.