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. 

These are exciting times for the charity, and we now have an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated and professional individual with outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills to join our dedicated International Programmes and Partnerships Department. As Public Affairs Manager, you will promote policy change, raise awareness, foster partnerships to tackle the greatest welfare issues that donkeys and mules face across Mexico and Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Working closely with The Donkey Sanctuary´s LAC Regional Director and Public Affairs, Advocacy and Campaigns (PAC) Team, this role will lead the development and implementation of an influencing strategy, positioning the work within broader agendas such as One Health in the LAC region.

About you:

• Substantial experience working in strategic influencing role, advocacy, public relations, with proven ability to engage stakeholders in Mexico and other LAC countries.
• Proven ability to engage stakeholders from national countries in LAC to regional and good knowledge of the major stakeholders the charity must work and engage with nationally, regionally and globally, such as WOAH, UN FAO/other relevant UN bodies, OIRSA.
• Demonstrable experience in the development and delivery of policy positions, data collection and stakeholder mapping.
• A strong understanding of political processes and the ability to navigate complex policy environments.
• A thorough understanding of Public Affairs and Campaigning approaches techniques and methods.
• Demonstrable experience of working cross departmentally including communications departments and research teams to create holistic work plans for delivery of campaign aims.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal).

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Working closely with LAC Regional Director, LAC team and other departmental leadership to develop, design and implement strategy and plans to support LAC Regional strategic aims to influence decision makers and build powerful partnerships for change.
• Liaising with TDS LAC technical team, and with TDS UK Policy and Engagement Manager on abstracts, position statements, presentations, reports and briefings, including commissioning data collection.
• Leading and coordinating evidence-based advocacy campaigns aimed at specific policy changes or public awareness initiatives working across TDS.
• Coordinating legislative and public policy developments and analyse their potential impact on national aims and opportunities relevant to TDS LAC influencing objectives.
• Collaborating with TDS Communications and PAC Team to create advocacy materials such as newsletters, reports, fact sheet and social media content (i.e. explainer videos) feeding into event planning collaboratively.
• Building and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, community groups, industry, and other key national and regional stakeholders.
• Representing TDS LAC office and the PAC Team at conferences and events and with partners, ensuring coordination among partners and with communications is advancing public affairs diplomatically.

The contract:

Based in Mexico City, this is a full-time, 2-year contract, working 40 hours per week. The working pattern will combine onsite and home (hybrid) working under our guiding principles for such roles. The working pattern will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder.

Please note: Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in Mexico and the ability to travel to countries regionally and internationally.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 22 March 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

Please forward any enquires regarding this role to  applications@thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk 

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.