Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust
Long Term Volunteer Job Description
Introduction:
The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust is a small UK Registered Charity working in The Gambia
to reduce rural poverty through improving the health, welfare and productivity of working
equines. We have a team of approximately 20 Gambian staff and usually two overseas
volunteers to oversee the running of operations in The Gambia. Our long term volunteers
are our main links back to our head office in the UK and are a very valuable part of our
team.
Reports to:
Charity Director and/or Assistant to the Director
Location:
This position is for a volunteer to be based in The Gambia at our main centre. Please note,
our centre is in a very rural location. Whilst we do have a comfortable house with running
water and normal toilets we do not have any electricity.
Purpose:
To ensure that all aspects of Gambia Horse and Donkeys work are delivered in an
appropriate and effective manner.
Responsibilities:
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Building and maintaining relationships with key people in both the UK and The
Gambia.
Ensuring all programmes are implemented in an appropriate manner.
Keeping the charity Director informed of the current situation in The Gambia and
ensuring the Director is kept fully up to date with all progress and activities, and
agreeing any actions that may be required to progress the actions of the charity.
Overseeing running of the yard at our main centre, maintaining standards and staff
morale.
Administrations of all programmes run by the charity in Gambia and accounting for
all monies in Gambia.
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Liaising with key people in sister charities (Stella’s School Scheme and Sambel Kunda
Village clinic) and assistance with these charities when requested.
Specific Tasks:
(This list is not exhaustive and other tasks may be asked of the volunteer which do not
appear in this list)
 Administration of the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust in Gambia.
 Book keeping and accounting for all monies handled in Gambia.
 Assist in the design and implementation of programmes, particularly in relation to
the School Education Programme and Donkey Club.
 Contribute knowledge to the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust programmes bringing
expertise and experience, which are in-line with attitudes and culture of the Gambia
Horse and Donkey Trust.
 Effectively manage relationships with staff, local partners, interested parties, other
charities and Governmental Departments.
 Liaise with the charity Director to ensure appropriate implementation of
programmes, in-line with the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust’s overall objectives.
 Liaise with staff and monitor staff performance to ensure standards are maintained.
 Assist with the development of training materials.
 Implement and assist with staff training and development.
 Contribute to the production of materials that can be used for communications and
fundraising.
 Assist with implementation of all programmes, including mobile veterinary clinics,
training workshops, educational programmes and main veterinary hospital.
 Supervising all short term volunteers and visitors, ensuring that their stay is made as
enjoyable and comfortable as possible, and also ensuring that they adhere to all
volunteer/visitor rules.
 Provide reports when requested on the work of the Gambia horse and Donkey Trust.
 Assist with care and treatment of animals in the care of the Gambia Horse and
Donkey Trust.
 Planning, preparation, implementation and smooth running of the Annual Horse and
Donkey Show.
Person Specification:
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Experience of working overseas
Team leadership experience
Experience of working with people from
different cultures
Experience of managing relationships with
key people
Ability to use own initiative in a variety of
situations and ability to be able to think
outside the box
Desirable
Overseas experience working with equines
Knowledge of equine management and
handling skills
Experience working in Africa
Knowledge of equine related trades such
as farriers and harness makers
Veterinary or veterinary nursing
experience
Experience of managing budgets/accounts
Skills and Abilities
Educated to degree level or equivalent
experience in a relevant field
Excellent verbal communication skills
Knowledge of computer applications
including Word and spreadsheets
Ability to communicate patiently with
people for whom English is not their
mother tongue
Ability to live and work away from home for Ability to co-ordinate multiple groups of
long periods
people at any one time
Excellent organisational skills
Creative thinker – must be capable of
solving problems with materials available
to them
Ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationships and partnerships
Ability to prioritise appropriately in difficult
or stressful situations
Attitudes
Willingness to work as an effective
member of a team and also to work alone
effectively as and when required
Willingness to work outside of ‘normal’
working hours
Comfortable with living and working in
close proximity and in a very remote rural
area
Respect for other cultures and people at
all levels
Absolute dedication to the role and
willingness to go the extra mile whenever it
is required
Excellent sense of humour
Excellent patience and empathy for both
humans and animals
Prepared for a challenge
Able to cope with extremes of environment
including extreme heat, extreme rain and
extreme numbers of insects at certain
times of year!