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- Tasks: Lead global policy engagement and manage a team to influence animal welfare initiatives.
- Company: Join The Donkey Sanctuary, a global leader in animal welfare dedicated to improving donkey lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, 31 days holiday, wellbeing support, and more perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on animal welfare while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in global influencing roles, strong communication skills, and a passion for animal welfare required.
- Other info: Remote work options available; commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About The Donkey Sanctuary
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 are tackling the greatest threats working donkeys face locally and around the world, from the donkey skin trade to challenges working animals face in disasters.
We have an excellent opportunity for a creative and detail-oriented individual with excellent communication and collaborative skills to join our collaborative global department focused on influencing change, using campaigning and public affairs tactics.
About the Role:
- Developing UK, EU and global political engagement for the organisation including developing an internal working network.
- Strategically supporting designated cross-organisation influencing campaigns and projects.
- Supporting our international programme partnership influencing goals, developing toolkits and supporting capacity to increase our reach.
- Managing a small team – developing its vision and objectives, maintaining and empowering an inclusive work environment, setting clear objectives to meet organisational goals.
- Developing and maintaining a multi-organisation alliance that engages stakeholders from multiple disciplines, including academic and governmental, for the benefit of the charity causes and managing the coordination of this work.
- Undertaking research and writing policy position papers, reports, briefs, factsheets, external blogs/publications and policy responses.
- Ensuring that The Donkey Sanctuary has a strong voice in the policy making process at national level through the formulation of high quality, well informed policy positions and outputs on issues of relevance to stakeholders.
About You:
- Substantial experience of working in a technical (animal welfare or health) global influencing role, with a focus on driving evidence-based global positions.
- Demonstrable experience in the development and delivery of policy positions, research and stakeholder mapping.
- Proven experience of developing policy or collaborative/coalition-based initiatives from evidence-based research, coupled with the ability to communicate the findings to a range of audiences.
- Good knowledge of the major stakeholders the charity must work and engage with, including UK Government, UN, AU-IBAR, WOAH, the World Bank and The EU.
- Strong written communication skills and research capabilities, and an ability to translate complex information into easy to understand messages.
- Extensive report writing experience, having written or led high level global reports and briefings and evaluating evidence of their impact.
- Excellent organisation skills, able to multi-task and demonstrate working with a number of conflicting demands to meet multiple deadlines.
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.
- This role is nominally based on our site in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and we offer hybrid working.
- 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.
Application Process:
- Closing date for completed applications: Sunday 13 April 2025.
- Initial interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 6 May 2025.
- Applicants successful at this stage will progress to final interviews, via Microsoft Teams, on Wednesday 14th May 2025.
The Donkey Sanctuary is a Disability Confident Employer. 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.
Policy and Engagement Manager (1905) employer: The Donkey Sanctuary
Contact Detail:
The Donkey Sanctuary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy and Engagement Manager (1905)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders mentioned in the job description, such as the UK Government and UN. Understanding their roles and current policies will help you engage effectively during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience in developing policy positions by preparing examples of past projects where you influenced change. Be ready to discuss how you used evidence-based research to support your initiatives.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your communication skills by preparing to discuss how you've translated complex information into accessible messages for diverse audiences. This is crucial for the role's focus on public engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your organisational skills by sharing examples of how you've managed multiple projects or deadlines simultaneously. This will show your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment like The Donkey Sanctuary.
We think you need these skills to ace Policy and Engagement Manager (1905)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Organisation: Familiarise yourself with The Donkey Sanctuary's mission and values. Highlight how your personal values align with their vision for animal welfare in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects relevant experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and animal welfare. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence change and manage teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for animal welfare and your understanding of the challenges faced by working donkeys. Clearly outline how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate for the Policy and Engagement Manager role.
Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of your written communication skills. Mention any reports or policy papers you've authored, and explain how you effectively communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Donkey Sanctuary
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand The Donkey Sanctuary's mission and vision. Familiarise yourself with their work in animal welfare and the specific challenges they face. This will help you articulate how your skills and experiences align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Policy Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in developing policy positions and engaging with stakeholders. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully influenced change or collaborated on initiatives, especially in the context of animal welfare or health.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms. You might be asked to summarise a policy issue or present your thoughts on a relevant topic, so clarity is key.
✨Prepare for Team Management Questions
As you'll be managing a small team, expect questions about your leadership style and how you foster an inclusive work environment. Think of examples that showcase your ability to set clear objectives and empower your team to achieve organisational goals.
