Application Guide

How to Apply for Project and Change Officer

at The Donkey Sanctuary

🏢 About The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary is a unique animal welfare charity that has been protecting donkeys and mules worldwide since 1969, operating across 35 countries. What makes them special is their holistic approach combining direct animal care, international advocacy, and community education programs. Someone might want to work here because they offer the rare opportunity to contribute to meaningful animal welfare while working in a values-driven organization with a global impact.

About This Role

As a Project and Change Officer at The Donkey Sanctuary, you'll support complex organizational transformation projects while independently managing smaller-scale change initiatives. This role is impactful because you'll directly influence how the charity operates more effectively to help donkeys worldwide, working with stakeholders across departments to implement improvements that enhance animal welfare outcomes.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with virtual stand-ups for larger transformation projects you're supporting, followed by focused work on your own smaller change initiatives - perhaps developing communication plans or analyzing project risks. Afternoons often involve stakeholder meetings across different departments (care, education, international teams) to gather input and ensure alignment, with documentation and planning work scheduled around these collaborative sessions.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who The Donkey Sanctuary Is Looking For

  • Has 2-3 years experience managing small change projects OR supporting complex cross-organizational projects with demonstrated success in meeting time, cost, and quality targets
  • Possesses strong stakeholder engagement skills with experience influencing diverse groups in a nonprofit or similar values-driven environment
  • Demonstrates practical experience in project planning, risk analysis, and benefits realization specifically for organizational change initiatives
  • Can work independently while supporting larger transformation efforts, showing flexibility between leading smaller projects and contributing to complex programs

📝 Tips for Applying to The Donkey Sanctuary

1

Highlight any experience with animal welfare, conservation, or nonprofit organizations - even volunteer work - as The Donkey Sanctuary values sector alignment

2

Quantify your project management achievements with specific metrics (e.g., 'managed 3 process improvement projects saving 15% in operational costs') rather than generic descriptions

3

Address the hybrid remote/onsite requirement by showing you're comfortable with both independent remote work and periodic in-person collaboration in Sidmouth

4

Research and reference specific Donkey Sanctuary programs or initiatives in your application to demonstrate genuine interest

5

Emphasize change management experience over pure project delivery - this role specifically focuses on organizational transformation

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience with stakeholder engagement in values-driven organizations and how you've influenced change in similar environments", 'Specific examples of managing small projects end-to-end while also supporting larger transformation initiatives', "Why animal welfare and The Donkey Sanctuary's mission resonates with you personally and professionally", "How you've successfully managed the balance between remote work and periodic onsite collaboration in previous roles"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → The Donkey Sanctuary's current strategic priorities and recent transformation initiatives mentioned in their annual reports
  • → Their international programs across 35 countries to understand the global scope you'd be supporting
  • → The specific challenges facing animal welfare charities in the UK and how organizational change might address these
  • → Their organizational structure and how different departments (care, advocacy, education) might interact with change projects

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you managed stakeholder resistance during an organizational change project in a nonprofit or similar setting
2 How would you approach benefits realization for a process improvement project at an animal welfare charity?
3 What experience do you have with remote project management while maintaining team cohesion and stakeholder engagement?
4 How would you prioritize competing projects when supporting large transformations while managing your own smaller projects?
5 Tell us about a time you had to adapt a project plan due to unexpected challenges while maintaining quality and timeline
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical project management without addressing the change management and stakeholder influence aspects
  • Applying with generic corporate experience without showing how it translates to a nonprofit/charity environment
  • Not addressing the specific requirement for periodic onsite work in Sidmouth, Devon (2 days monthly)
  • Overemphasizing large-scale project experience without demonstrating ability to independently manage smaller projects

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Donkey Sanctuary!

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