Programme Design and Impact Advisor

The Donkey Sanctuary; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance

31 days holiday

Wellbeing team

Pilates and Yoga classes

Long service awards

Healthshield plan

Free parking

Subsidised restaurant and shop

Job summary

The Donkey Sanctuary is seeking a Programme Design and Impact Advisor to lead MEAL across international programmes, developing a shared monitoring framework and driving evidence-based improvements for donkeys and communities.

This permanent full-time role in Devon is hybrid, with 2-3 days on site per year, 35 hours weekly, 08:30–16:30, Monday–Friday. Closing date 27 September 2026.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or above or equivalent experience.
• Proven MEAL design and evaluation experience in international development.
• Strong understanding of MEAL systems and methodologies.
• Experience with theory of change and programme development tools.
• Ability to design and implement mixed-methods evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Lead on monitoring and evaluation of globally funded programmes.
• Develop a shared MEAL database and data management systems.
• Implement and review a Results Framework and MEAL tools.
• Support staff and partners to apply MEAL tools and develop MEAL plans.
• Collaborate with senior managers to improve reporting and practice.
• Work with teams to design surveys and participatory workshops.
• Support funding proposals with MEAL integrated into plans and budgets.
• Occasional international travel may be required.

Skills

MEAL experience

Leadership & team development

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree-level education or above

Job description

These are exciting times for the charity, and we have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and highly professional individual with outstanding leadership, interpersonal and motivational skills to join the International Programmes and Partnerships Department as Programme Design and Impact Advisor.

Position: Programme Design and Impact Advisor

Location: Devon/Hybrid (This is a hybrid working position, combining home and onsite working under the guiding principles for such roles. The working pattern and requirement for site attendance will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder, currently anticipated to be 2-3 days per year)

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 08.30-16.30, Monday-Friday

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £44609 per annum

Closing Date: Sunday 27 September 2026. Please note this role may close earlier than advertised so apply as soon as possible.

About the Role

As Programme Design and Impact Advisor, you will lead and strengthen the monitoring, evaluation, learning and impact measurement of The Donkey Sanctuary's international programmes, ensuring programmes are evidence-based, results-driven and accountable.

Working collaboratively with colleagues and partners across multiple countries, you will support the design, monitoring and evaluation of high-quality international development programmes and drive organisational learning to maximise impact for donkeys and the communities that depend on them.

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include:

• Leading on ensuring that Donkey Sanctuary funded global programmes and projects are effectively and efficiently monitored and evaluated.
• Leading the development of a shared monitoring and evaluation database, enabling effective data management and contributing to an evidence-based portfolio.
• Implementing, promoting and regularly reviewing a Results Framework and associated Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) tools.
• Enabling staff and partners to effectively apply MEAL tools, develop and review project MEAL plans and identify appropriate monitoring indicators.
• Working with senior managers to improve reporting systems and processes, ensuring consistent best practice across the International Programmes and Partnerships team.
• Collaborating with colleagues to develop surveys and participatory workshops that inform community-led needs assessment and project design.
• Supporting International Teams in preparing funding proposals for institutional donors and partners, ensuring MEAL activities and requirements are fully integrated into project and programme plans and budgets.
• Please note that flexibility may be required for occasional international travel.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Degree-level education or above, or equivalent relevant experience.
• A demonstrable track record of programme design and MEAL experience within international development or a related discipline.
• A thorough understanding of the technical elements of robust and effective MEAL systems and methodologies.
• Working knowledge and experience of theory of change and/or comparable programme development tools.
• Experience designing robust MEAL frameworks for performance measurement and impact assessment.
• Experience designing and/or carrying out mixed methods evaluation projects to high quality and ethical standards.
• Significant experience developing MEAL training and mentoring approaches and facilitating participatory capacity development initiatives.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing individuals and teams to achieve shared objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence a range of stakeholders.

Benefits include:

• 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.
• Free parking.
• Subsidised restaurant and shop.

About the Organisation

Join one of the UK’s largest international animal welfare charities, currently supporting projects in over 35 countries worldwide, working for a world where donkeys and mules live free from suffering and their contribution to humanity is fully valued.

The Charity is a Disability Confident Employer, 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.

You may also have experience in areas such as Programme Design, Programme Design Advisor, Impact Advisor, Programme Impact, MEAL, MEAL Advisor, Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation, MEL, MEL Advisor, Impact and Learning, International Development, Programme Quality, Programme Monitoring and Evaluation.