Engagement Officer
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 have an excellent opportunity for an Engagement Officer to join our Public Affairs, Advocacy and Campaigns team. The Engagement Officer is responsible for identifying and maintaining meaningful relationships with global stakeholders, including governmental, non-governmental and educational institutions. The role supports the organisation’s influencing work by coordinating engagement around sustainable development, wildlife crime, One Health and One Welfare agendas, and by developing and strengthening coalitions such as the International Coalition of Working Equids (ICWE).
About You
* Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills with the ability to adapt communication style to the audience and message.
* A proven track record of organizing online events for international audiences.
* High level analytical skills with the ability to draft strategic responses.
* Strong organisational and coordination skills; able to multi-task and manage conflicting demands to meet deadlines.
* Experience delivering positive stakeholder engagement activities.
* Understanding of how internal departments and external partners can be integrated.
* An understanding of animal welfare and/or international development with relevant experience.
About The Role
Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:
* Build strong internal and external partnerships with global stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, to grow existing relationships and build new ones.
* Coordinate and assist with accreditations and processes that support our access in policy forums.
* Assist in coordinating coalition and alliance engagement opportunities globally.
* Lead on agreed coalition/ alliance priorities such as creating material, meeting with partners and planning international events.
* Create supporting materials and reports for stakeholders that advance our influencing agenda.
* Engage with and support team processes around strategic planning for external events and activities.
* Support wider activities of the influencing work, including identifying key external stakeholders and new forums.
* Manage horizon scanning for the team.
What We Offer In Return
This is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 35 hours per week, 08:30-16:30, Monday-Friday. The working pattern is hybrid (onsite and home working).
Due to the nature of the role, flexibility will be required for working outside core hours and for occasional UK and international travel. Please refer to the FAQs regarding travel on our Candidate Journey page.
Benefits
* Competitive pension
* Life assurance
* 31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service
* Wellbeing team
* Online Pilates and Yoga classes
* Long service awards
* Healthshield plan – reimbursement of medical expenses, member discounts, and 24/7 GP/counselling service
* Free parking
* Subsidised restaurant and shop
Closing date for completed applications: Thursday 16 October 2025.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people; safer recruitment processes including DBS checks where required may apply. The Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme may be used for relevant posts. The Guaranteed interview scheme applies to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability and are applying for roles based in the United Kingdom.
Please note: We ask applicants to submit their own words and not rely on AI writing tools. Applications that are not the applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.
Document: JD_POL_PACT_Engagement Officer.pdf (183.89 KB)
Location: The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
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