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 exciting opportunity for a well‑organised, customer‑focused professional to join our busy People Team. You will provide high‑quality administrative support across all HR/People functions and act as a trusted first point of contact for employee enquiries. You will be confident using HR systems, have a keen eye for detail and demonstrate excellent communication skills.

About you:

• Able to demonstrate an understanding of HR/People Team principles, processes, and HRIS systems.
• Posses strong communication and interpersonal skills..
• Able to demonstrate advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Outlook and calendar management.
• High accuracy and attention to detail when handling data and documentation.
• Demonstrate excellent organisation skills and ability to manage a varied workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to work confidentially, collaboratively, and on own initiative.

About the role:

As a People Team Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting the smooth running of our People Team operations. Your responsibilities will include:

• Acting as the first point of contact for People Team enquiries, resolving routine queries and escalating complex matters appropriately.
• Communicating professionally and confidentially with employees and stakeholders.
• Managing the Applications and HR Helpdesk inboxes and all associated administrative tasks.
• Preparing employment contracts and conducting Right to Work checks; completing Credit Safe checks for roles requiring financial vetting.
• Compiling and importing sensitive data for system transfers and monthly payroll processing.
• Instructing payroll on new starters, leavers and contractual changes.
• Coordinating induction days and liaising with relevant teams to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
• Maintaining and updating absence and holiday records for variable‑hours employees.
• Managing DBS renewals for employees, volunteers and trustees, as well as other safeguarding checks.
• Raising purchase orders, processing invoices, and coordinating with Procurement to set up new suppliers in eBIS (UK and international).
• Generating and distributing weekly and monthly reports to internal and external stakeholders.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a part-time permanent contract, to start as soon as possible, working 28 hours per week.

Please note, the hours could be worked 09.00 – 15.30 over 5 days, Monday – Friday or over 4 days working 08.30 – 16.30 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday.

The working pattern for this role will be hybrid working, which combine onsite and home working under our guiding principles for such roles, with onsite attendance currently anticipated to be 2-4 days per month. The working pattern will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder.

Please refer to the FAQs section regarding travelling to work on our Candidate Journey page:

https://jobs.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/jobs/candidate-journey/

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with 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 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.