INTERNAL ROLE: Please note that this role is being advertised internally within ADUK’s Membership.
The successful candidate will also serve as an Ambassador themselves, so we are seeking applications from people who are partnered with an assistance dog, preferably with a dog that has been trained by an ADUK member organisations.   

About ADUK

ADUK’s members’ 7000+ assistance dogs are truly life changing and life saving for their owners.  This includes alerting to potentially fatal medical conditions, assisting with physical tasks, facilitating independence for those with sight and hearing loss, supporting people with complex mental health difficulties including PTSD, and helping autistic people to  participate in everyday life.  The inspiring partnerships between the dogs and their owners are enabled by our 13 member charities, who have been accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and/or The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). This means that they adhere to the highest international standards in assistance dog training and welfare, and are unwavering in their commitment to this.

ADUK is a small but growing charity hoping to make a big impact for our already highly engaged members. They work with us collaboratively to share their experiences and knowledge, and this enables us to meet our charitable objectives of raising awareness of highly trained assistance dogs, and the legal rights of people who rely on them.

ADUK is seeking a Coordinator to lead our Volunteer Ambassador Programme and to be part of our growing team at an exciting time for the charity. The successful candidate will also serve as an Ambassador themselves, so we are seeking applications from people who are partnered with an assistance dog, preferably with a dog that has been trained by one of member organisations.    

This is a new programme so we are seeking someone who will enjoy the challenge of making it a success and being a key member of the ADUK team as we grow.

What ADUK can Offer You

ADUK is committed to fostering a welcoming and collaborative culture among its staff, volunteers, and networks. The Charity encourages a healthy work-life balance, recognising that trust and respect form a solid foundation for maintaining a self-managing team dedicated to achieving the charity’s objectives.

We can also offer:  

• Flexible working
• Home working
• A generous holiday allowance and sick leave policy
• Pension contributions
• Professional growth and learning

Key Purpose of Role

ADUK Ambassadors are people with first hand experience of being partnered with an assistance dog from one of our member organisations and that can speak to the benefits that these highly trained dogs bring to their life. They can also bring to life, the real impacts that access issues can have with a view to increasing awareness and understanding among service providers.

We are seeking an excellent communicator with great people skills to lead on recruiting a team of volunteer ambassadors and coordinating their activities. The successful candidate will have first hand experience of being partnered with a highly trained assistance dog themself, and so will also act as an ambassador for the Charity e.g. by attending events and inputting into media requests.  

While much of the work is homebased, this role will require some national travel, but the post holder will be responsible for managing their own diary so there is flexibility. All travel costs and reasonable out of pocket expenses are covered.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit a team of volunteers who will act as ADUK Ambassadors.
• With support from the ADUK Team, support the volunteer ambassadors so that they have the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to fulfil their volunteer role.
• Horizon scan for events and press opportunities for Ambassadors to promote the charity and its messages.
• Coordinate a range of these opportunities amongst volunteer Ambassador in various parts of the UK.
• In addition to coordinating the volunteer Ambassadors, the Coordinator will act as an ADUK Ambassador and represent the charity at more formal events and training. 

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

Essential – applicants will have: 

• First hand experience of being partnered with a highly trained assistance dog, preferably with a dog that has been trained by an ADUK member organisations.   
• Experience or a willingness to learn in delivering training or speaking at events. 
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to speak at events.  
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to maintain records of volunteer progress and activity.
• Good IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office programmes.
• Ability to travel across the UK. 

Applicants should be aligned with ADUK’s values of championing standards-based approaches to the training and welfare of assistance dogs.

Desirable – applicants may have:

• Volunteer management experience.
• Experience of working with the press and/or media.
• Experience working for a small charity, or being part of a work culture where everyone is happy to roll up their sleeves and pitch in.

Please note that this is not a fundraising role.

Application and Interviews

Download the job description and person specification.

To Apply for this role please complete an application form and be sure to use the above job description as reference for your answers.

If you cannot easily access or use the application form provided for any reason, don’t let it put you off, get in touch with us.  

Interviews will take place in person at a location that will be accessible by mainline train services e.g. central Birmingham or central Reading.

Application Deadline:  Midnight on Monday 3rd June.

Interview Dates: 13th June

Please submit your application to info@assistancedogs.org.uk

Accessibility Statement

ADUK is committed to recruiting employees who reflect our diverse society and the communities that our members serve.  

ADUK values diversity in all respects and strives to provide a workplace where everyone can be themselves. We welcome applications from candidates with different life experiences and needs and we are open to candidates who may need or want to work flexibly.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds, including applications from disabled people,  people who are from a global ethnic majority (people who are Black, Asian, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south) and people who identify as LGBTQ+.  

Don’t meet every single requirement?

Studies have shown that women and black people and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification.  So, if you’re really excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every aspect of the job description, we encourage you to apply to tell us why you would be a good fit for our organisation.   

If you need any adjustments to enable you to access this job information or the application process, please let us know.

Assistance Dogs UK is a registered charity – number 1119538

ADUK does not claim to represent all assistance dog charities or owners.
Not all assistance dogs In the UK will have been trained by an ADUK member.