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. 

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 Donkey 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.

We now have an excellent opportunity for a dynamic and resourceful professional with a proven track record of community based animal welfare work and a strong customer service ethic to join our team as Donkey Welfare Adviser for South Wales. Applicants will ideally be located within this region, although we will be happy to consider applicants from adjoining counties with good access to road networks.

About you:

• A positive influencer able to promote and model our values in all areas of your work.
• A high level of equine knowledge with significant experience of working with equines.
• A practical knowledge of legal practicalities and experience of the application of relevant animal welfare legislation.
• An understanding of equine behaviour and able to demonstrate practical delivery of this in the field.
• Competent IT skills and conversant with IT hardware and software equipment – able to upload photographic and video images to support welfare cases.
• A natural and effective communicator able to connect with a variety of audiences in a variety of mediums, including presenting to small and large groups.
• Strong interpersonal skills, comfortable with making new contacts and able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

About the role:

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 enquires, coordinating input from other professionals (Vets) and gathering relevant information to inform good decision making and supporting sustainable solutions for donkeys in need.
• Supporting a good quality rehoming scheme by ensuring donkeys are placed in the most suitable environments for their needs.
• Taking appropriate action to prevent poor welfare and suffering – anticipating and taking preventative steps to avoid cruelty, distress, or poor treatment.

• Ensuring evidence is gathered in an objective, professional and effective manner to support formal action, and attending court to give evidence when required.

What we offer in return:

This is a full-time, maternity cover contract starting as soon as possible until 30 November 2025, working an average of 37.5 hours per week on an annualised hours basis. The working pattern for this role will combine onsite and home working under our guiding principles for such roles, and will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder.

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 at the Main Donkey Sanctuary site.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 19 May 2024. 

Interviews will be held at The Donkey Assisted Activities Centre, Birmingham on Thursday 30 May 2024.

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.