Work for us
Join us in improving the lives of horses in the UK and worldwide.
Join us in improving the lives of horses in the UK and worldwide.
World Horse Welfare is an international charity that strives to support and strengthen the horse-human partnership through a combination of care, research, education and influence. We work to promote and protect welfare across the full spectrum of the equine world, including horses in need, sport and leisure horses, and horses used in work and production.
Our vision is to have a world where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding. Why not come and join us and help us to improve welfare standards and stamp out suffering in the UK and worldwide?
World Horse Welfare is committed to championing equality and diversity in all aspects of employment and in the services that it provides. We encourage applications for all of our vacancies from under-represented groups, particularly ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.
World Horse Welfare takes great pride in being realistic, compassionate and forward-thinking and the successful applicant for any of our vacancies will be expected to share these values.
Our Head Office is based in Snetterton, Norfolk and is overlooked by our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming centre. We also have Rescue and Rehoming Centres in Aberdeenshire, Lancashire and Somerset.
If you have any queries about a current vacancy, please email jobs@worldhorsewelfare.org for more information.
Head of Communications
Permanent, full time
World Horse Welfare is an international charity that strives to support and strengthen the horse-human partnership through a combination of care, research, education and influence. The charity promotes and protects welfare across the full spectrum of the equine world including horses in need, sport and leisure horses and horses used in work and production.
The Communications and Public Affairs Department works to grow the charity in delivering on, creating impact in, and gaining increased recognition for, World Horse Welfare’s work. They are the guardian of World Horse Welfare’s brand and reputation internally and externally in the UK, EU and internationally.
The primary purpose of this Head of Communications role is to lead and coordinate the communications team to deliver the charity’s Communications and Fundraising Strategy, including planning and overseeing delivery of PR, campaigns, internal communications, social and digital media, video, production and design. This role will work closely with all department members and staff across the charity to ensure a balanced profile of the charity. They will also work closely with the Fundraising team to support income generation activities.
We are looking for someone who has experience in a communications and management role including media relations and writing for the web. You will have a knowledge of representing brands in public-facing media, possess excellent written and oral communication skills, have the ability to write quality copy in a variety of styles and be capable of working to tight deadlines. You will be directly responsible for the line management of five roles within the department and liaison with a wide range of stakeholders so you must be able to develop relationships with people at all levels.
The role is based in Norfolk and is currently a hybrid split of 2 days in our head office in Snetterton and 3 days at home. You may be required to attend events around the UK so the ability to travel occasionally is necessary.
Benefits include a generous pension scheme and cash health plan, paid employee sickness absence scheme and a minimum of 31 days’ holiday (including bank/public holidays and mandatory shutdown between Christmas and New Year). Death in service, free parking and bike to work scheme.
Salary: £45,000.00 per annum.
You can read the full Head of Communications job description here.
Closing date for applications: 31st March 2023
Legacy Officer
Permanent, full time
Ideally, we are looking for an experienced self-motivated individual to assist the Senior Legacy Officer with all aspects of Legacy Administration for World Horse Welfare. You will be responsible for the delivery of income donated to World Horse Welfare in our supporters Wills, ensuring this income is protected and maximised through effective stewardship and administration. However, we will consider providing training to the right candidate.
Our ideal candidate will be an experienced Legacy Case Officer with proven experience of complex administrative work. You will have a basic understanding of, or the ability to learn and understand law pertaining to Wills, Taxation, Probate, Trust, Property, Charities, the rules governing contentious and non-contentious Probate Law and the IOF Code of Practice. You will be required to have strong analytical, problem-solving and investigation skills, be highly organised with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
This is a hybrid role working 2 days per week in our head office in Snetterton, Norfolk and 3 days per week from home.
Salary: £28,500.00 per annum.
Download the Legacy Officer job description.
Closing date for applications: 12th April 2023
Groom
Full time, permanent contract – multiple locations (Aboyne, Blackpool, and Somerton)
An exciting opportunity has arisen at three of our rehabilitation and rehoming centres (in Aberdeenshire, Lancashire, and Somerset) for a full time groom. As part of your role you will have the opportunity to work alongside our specialist grooms, vets, physio and farrier with support towards continued learning and personal development.
We are looking for an individual who is willing and able to undertake normal daily yard duties as well as be responsible for a dedicated list of horses undergoing rehabilitation. Ideally you will have previous experience of working on a professional yard and be competent and confident in handling a range of horses including youngsters. The ability to work methodically with a sense of humour and people skills are essential.
This is a full time permanent position working 40 hours per week. Weekend working will be necessary.
Free shared staff accommodation may be available for the right candidate.
If you would like to join us and help us achieve our vision which is a world where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding whilst developing your own equine skills, then please apply via the links below.
Salary: £21,778.00 per annum for 40 hours per week
Download the Groom job description.
Apply for the Groom vacancy at Belwade Farm, Aberdeenshire, here.
Apply for the Groom vacancy at Penny Farm, Lancashire, here.
Apply for the Groom vacancy at Glenda Spooner Farm, Somerset, here.
Closing date for applications: 12th April 2022
Visitor Centre Officer – Penny Farm
Part time, permanent
Our Visitor Centre at Penny Farm just outside of Blackpool is looking for a warm, friendly, organised person to welcome our visitors and supporters ensuring they have a wonderful time whilst meeting the horses and ponies in our care. Voted one of the best places to go to and eat in the area, at Penny Farm we are proud to be able to offer a fantastic range of freshly home baked cakes alongside a range of light lunches, afternoon teas and much much more.
If you enjoy meeting people, running events and of course love horses and ponies this could be the perfect job for you.
This role deals with enquiries relating to the hiring and use of centre’s facilities (indoor school and conference room) and the subsequent co-ordination of bookings, ensuring the arrangements meet all requirements. You will provide guided tours of the working farm, promote the charity’s membership schemes and ensure all promotional and display material, including merchandise, is up to date and presented professionally. A knowledge and experience of horses would be advantageous.
We are offering 32 hours per week over 4 days. It is operated on a flexible basis and would suit a job-share as weekend working is required. A flexible approach towards working hours is essential as some events can take place outside of normal working hours.
Benefits include a generous pension scheme and cash health plan, paid employee sickness absence scheme and a minimum of 31 days’ holiday (including bank and public holidays/mandatory shutdown between Christmas and New Year). Death in service, free uniform, free parking.
Salary: £19,200 PT (£24,000 FTE)
Download the Visitor Centre Officer job description.
Closing date for applications: 14th April 2023
Maintenance Assistant
Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to assist the Maintenance Supervisor with the effective and efficient maintenance of the farmland and buildings, grassland and field margins at our equine rescue and rehoming centre Belwade Farm in Aboyne.
Ideally you will have experience in all areas of general maintenance including fencing, fertilising and tractor driving; training is available where required. You will be organised with the ability to work on your own initiative, possess a flexible approach to work and the willingness to work outside in all weather conditions.
This can be a part time (20 hours per week) role or full time (40 hours per week) worked flexibly over 7 days.
Benefits include a generous pension scheme and cash health plan, paid employee sickness absence scheme and a minimum of 29 days’ holiday (including bank and public holidays). Death in service, free uniform, free parking.
Salary: £22,731.00 per annum
Closing date for applications: 14th April 2023
Expression of Interest to become a World Horse Welfare Trustee
Please note this is a voluntary, unpaid role.
Volunteering for World Horse Welfare comes in many different forms. This can include everything from lending a hand with administrative duties at our Head Office in Norfolk, helping at our Visitor Centres, mucking in on the yard with the farm teams or helping out at our events. One other way is through joining our Council of Trustees.
The World Horse Welfare Council is responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the charity and acts in our best interests. Trustees are not expected to take part in the day-to-day running of the charity but are responsible, as a group, for the overall governance and strategic direction. To do this effectively our Council includes representatives from various areas of expertise and backgrounds – including veterinary, equestrian, international development, legal, marketing, IT and accountancy.
In return, those who volunteer with us will enjoy the opportunity to use and build their skills, influence the direction of the organisation, attend a range of special events and become part of a diverse and friendly network.
We are currently looking for someone, based either in the UK or overseas, with international development experience in the human development sector and, ideally, the animal health and welfare sector as well. Experience of equines, whilst a bonus, is not required, you only need an empathy with our aims and an interest in helping to guide our work.
World Horse Welfare embraces the diversity of perspectives on equines to inform our day-to-day work and would like the Council membership to reflect this. We encourage expressions of interest from currently under-represented groups, including people from a broad age range, LGBTQ, ethnically diverse communities and people with disabilities.
If you would like to express an interest in becoming a World Horse Welfare Trustee, and have international development experience, then please email a covering letter and your CV to Fiona Abel by Friday 28th April 2023 (fionaabel@worldhorsewelfare.org).
