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.  Globally, we support projects in countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, transforming lives through direct care, community training, collaborative partnerships and advocacy work to improve the way donkeys are treated.

These are exciting times for the Charity, and we have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and flexible professional with outstanding interpersonal, collaborative and problem-solving skills to join our dedicated International Programmes and Projects team in Ethiopia. As Senior Programmes and Partnership Manager, working closely with Country Director, teams across the organisation and external partners, you will lead the planning, implementation, evaluation and documentation of the programmes and projects that will take place in Ethiopia at the implementation of agreed strategy.

About you:

• Educated to master’s degree level or above (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in Ethiopia of the Animal Welfare or International Development sector.
• Have at least 10 years of proven experience of programme/project management in the international development field, together with a thorough understanding of project/programme management techniques and methods.
• Experience in advocacy work at national and international levels.
• Proven experience in effective line management and mentoring.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English and Amharic (written and verbal).

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Providing overall supervision and strategic direction of projects and programmes in Ethiopia including supporting the Country Director to develop and agree Country strategy.
• Working closely with TDS UK and Ethiopian staff to ensure programmes meet stated objectives, are in line with organisational strategy and plans, meet the needs of partner organisations, and are implemented to the highest standards, on time and within budget.
• In coordination with TDS UK, providing inputs to tools and use of tools for data collection to track key indicators of success, analysis, reporting of programme data, and determining the need for improvements.
• Aiding in the development of strategic partnerships, including new opportunities for programmes in Ethiopia.
• Providing effective line management and proactively mentoring Technical, and Programmes and Partnership staff within the Ethiopia team.
• Working with the Country Director to ensure compliance with organisational and national policies and procedures, including policies relating to Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Security.
• Assisting the Country Director in the day-to-day management of the programme including annual planning and budgeting, and in the selection, hiring and development of project staff and project management team members.

The contract:

Based at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Bole Sub City Woreda 03, this is a full-time, permanent contract starting on 1 July 2025, working 37.5 hours per week, 08.30-17.00, Monday-Friday.

The working pattern for this role will combine onsite and home working under our guiding principles for such roles, with onsite attendance currently anticipated to be 3 days per week. Due to the nature of the role, flexibility to work evenings and weekends and provide on call cover is a necessity.

The post-holder will have the legal right to live and work in Ethiopia and will be able to travel regionally and internationally on a regular basis.

Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 1 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.