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 two excellent opportunities for flexible and proactive team players with strong interpersonal skills to join our busy Despatch team. As Despatch Assistant, you will contribute to the effective running of the department, accurately processing Donkey World Limited stock orders for supporters and depots of The Donkey Sanctuary and working collaboratively to ensure the daily collection and sending of internal and external post is completed timely and efficiently.

About you:

• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Excellent organisation skills.
• Able to multi-task whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient I.T. skills (Word, Outlook and Excel).
• Able to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
• Previous experience in retail and/or a despatch working environment.
• Full valid driving licence.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Assisting with unloading and stocking of trading items, and accurately receiving in deliveries.
• Assisting with picking and despatching of goods to supporters, the Gift Shop, and to Donkey Assisted Activities (DAA) sites and international centres.
• Moving stock electronically in Open Logistics from main warehouse to relevant recipients across the charity.
• Packing receipt letters, merchandise, literature packs, etc., for posting.
• Delivering and collecting mail to and from TDS sites and offices, and assisting with the franking of the outgoing post, ensuring post is despatched daily.
• Assisting with information/order enquiries from our supporters on the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and updating the system where appropriate.
• Assisting the Despatch Manager and wider Commercial team to ensure accurate stock checks are performed.

What we offer in return:

Based at Brookfield Farm, between Honiton and Sidmouth, East Devon – an area of outstanding natural beauty –  we have 2 fixed-term contracts starting as soon as possible, until 16^th January 2026,. The contracts are:

1. 21 hours per week over 5 days. Between 10:00 -15:00 Monday to Friday.

Flexibility to work beyond these hours is desirable during peak times.

2. 35 hours per week core hours are 08.30 – 16.30 Monday to Friday. 

Flexibility will be required to meet the demands of the role.

Please inform us which one of these contracts you are applying for.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

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

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates classes.

Long service swards.

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 on main site.

Closing date for completed applications: Monday 23 June 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.