The Job

We are looking for a passionate and driven person who ideally has previous experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. It is also will include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing in Northern region (Leeds, Huddersfield, Barnsley).

Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:

• Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area, covering all Yorkshire regions and West, eg Liverpool and Manchester to East, eg Hull and down to Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and north parts of Staffordshire. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.
• Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets.
• To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.
• Regularly monitor progress of the puppies and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Instructor Manager and Head of Assistance Dog Programme.
• To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.
• Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pre training, placement training and aftercare visits.
• Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this standard throughout the life of the partnership.
• To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.

Responsibilities

• To escalate issues and problems to the Instructor Manager as appropriate.
• To assist the Dog Supply Team with carrying out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the Instructor Manager and rest of the Instructing Team.
• To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
• Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
• Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
• To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for eg public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
• To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
• To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
• To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
• To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Instructor Manager and Assistance Dog Programme Manager if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
• To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards.  This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
• To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pre training to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
• To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
• To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
• To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
• To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public.  This will include on-going research and development of the project.
• To liaise with and provide support for Volunteers who may operate as part of the aftercare programme provided by the charity.
• To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
• Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.

Other

• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.
• Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
• Experience of running puppy classes and carrying out public access training and recall sessions
• High level of self – motivation and planning
• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
• Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary
• Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required.
• Happy to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from the Centre to travel back.
• Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home.
• Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
• Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
• Flexible

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Previous Assistance Dog Instructing or Dog Training with puppy socialisers experience
• Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
• Law in relation to dogs.
• Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age.
• Dog and human psychology.
• Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
• Previous experience of teaching and instructing
• Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
•  IT literacy and report writing skills
• Experience of using Microsoft based programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet Explorer and Power Point, teams, zoom and Microsoft share point for data etc
• Full UK driving licencePass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children

Preferable

• Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating.
• Previous knowledge of odour/scent training

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
• High level of self – motivation and planning
• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions
• Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary.
• Happy to be on call at all times for partnerships as and when required – to include outside standard working hours.
• Able and willing to stay away from home and stay in local hotel when the client’s location is too far from the Centre to travel back.
• If able, possibility of having Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training to reside in their home through the 6 – 8 week training phase.
• Good team worker, but equally able to work alone.
• Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself.
• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence
• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK.
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Work some evenings and weekends
• Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes

The Job  

Fundraising is vital to our ability to train life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs and further our Bio Detection research and we rely on the generosity of our donors and supporters.

This role will provide support to the Fundraising Team, helping to maximise income in order to fund the charity’s work throughout the UK.

 MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB

To provide support to the Fundraising Team across a wide range of projects and activities. You will be instrumental in helping the team to meet and exceed income targets and the first point of contact for all fundraising enquiries, you will play an essential role in making supporters feel welcomed and valued, ensuring their interaction with the charity results in a positive experience every time.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive individual with excellent organisational skills looking to gain experience in a growing, motivational and ambitious Fundraising Team.

Responsibilities

Supporter Engagement & Enquiries

• Co-ordinate incoming fundraising enquiries and fulfil or allocate them to the appropriate team members, ensuring prompt and professional responses and exceptional customer service.
• Provide direct responses to supporter enquiries where appropriate, maintaining a high standard of communication and service.
• Represent and promote the charity at internal and external events, acting as an ambassador to engage new and existing supporters.
• Supporting the IG Manager with fulfilling the Sponsor a Puppy programme.

Data & Administration

• Assist with all administrative tasks that support fundraising activity.
• Accurately record all supporter interactions and correspondence on the Harlequin CRM database, in line with data protection regulations.
• Update Harlequin to ensure supporter records are maintained accurately.

Event Support

• Support the Community & Events Fundraising Manager in the planning and delivery of national MDD events.
• Assist the Corporate Fundraising Manager with the organisation and administration of key events such as business breakfasts and supporter clubs.
• Support fulfilment and progress updates related to the Sponsor a Puppy programme. 

Donor Stewardship & Communications

• Ensure timely and personalised acknowledgements (thank you letters and certificates) are sent to donors.
• Review and improve the thank and stewardship programme to enhance donor satisfaction and retention, sharing best practice across the team.

Research & Prospecting

• Conduct research on potential corporate donors, trusts, and high-value individuals, including key contacts and Charity of the Year opportunities.
• Support the Trusts and Foundations Manager, and Corporate Fundraising Manager to build and maintain a high-value donor pipeline.

Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager required to ensure the successful running of the charity.

Essential

• Well-organised, good attention to detail and proactive
• Experience of planning, organising and delivering events
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks to meet deadlines.
• Enthusiastic and able to inspire people who want to raise funds for the charity
• A good level of competency is required in MS Office packages such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Desirable

• Experience of fundraising or working for a charity
• Prior experience of using CRM systems
• An understanding of the legal obligations of Charity Law and regulation

Other Requirements

• A full current driving license
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends
• You will be required to have a criminal record check carried out by the Disclosure & Barring (DBS) when you first join the charity and at regular intervals thereafter.
• Comfortable with dogs in the workplace/office

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Benefits

• Sick Pay
• Health Cover
• 26 days holiday, increasing with service
• 5% Employer Pension Contribution
• Free On-site parking
• Life Insurance

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence
• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Work some evenings

The Job

To lead and manage regional fundraising initiatives around the UK, developing relationships with volunteers, donors, and community groups to maximise income generation and awareness. This role requires a combination of strategic oversight, operational support and hands-on engagement with volunteers and supporters across multiple regions. Ideally the National Fundraising Manager will be present at the charity’s office 1-2 days per week, with the rest of the time dedicated to travel across the UK in support of our extensive volunteer family.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising development

• Identify and cultivate new opportunities for national fundraising.
• Support volunteers with fundraising ideas, materials, and advice.
• Lead and manage the delivery of national fundraising events, from planning through to execution, ensuring they meet financial and engagement goals.
• Drive income from corporate fundraising in close collaboration with the Corporate Partnerships Manager

Volunteer and supporter engagement

• Visit volunteers and fundraising groups in designated regions across the UK to provide guidance, encouragement, and support.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key supporters and community groups to maximise fundraising opportunities.
• Deliver presentations and attend events to raise awareness about the charity’s mission.
• Ensure all regional volunteer groups are equipped with the tools, resources, and motivation to fundraise effectively.

Administration and reporting

• Maintain accurate records of fundraising activities and volunteer interactions.
• Provide regular updates and reports on regional fundraising performance.
• Monitor budgets for regional activities to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Collaboration and communication

• Work closely with the central fundraising team, particularly the Community and Events Manager to align regional efforts with national campaigns.
• Attend team meetings at the Centre when required.
• Share success stories and best practices with the broader team to inspire and motivate others.
• Help with the charity’s communications content by spotting unique fundraising stories and provide photos and videos from events.

Event support

• Assist with planning and delivery of events, including volunteer recognition events, fundraising activities, and charity-led campaigns.
• Act as a representative of the charity at external events, building relationships and increasing visibility.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• 2 years minimum community fundraising experience or fast paced, target driven field sales environment with demonstrable transferrable skills.
• Experience working with, supporting, and managing volunteers, including providing guidance and fostering a positive and motivated team environment.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, coordinating, and delivering fundraising events, both small and large-scale, with a focus on community engagement.
• Experience in developing and nurturing relationships with donors, supporters, and community groups, ensuring ongoing engagement and support.
• Strong background in administrative tasks such as record-keeping, reporting, and using CRM systems to track donations and supporter engagement.
• Experience in a role that requires travel across a wide geographic area, with the ability to manage time effectively and work independently.
• Proven success in working towards and achieving fundraising targets, with a focus on both short-term and long-term objectives.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of regional and community-based fundraising principles and practices.
• Familiarity with event planning and execution in a fundraising or community engagement context.
• Knowledge of the charity sector and compliance with fundraising regulations (e.g., GDPR, Fundraising Code of Practice).
• Awareness of the diverse needs and motivations of volunteers and supporters.
• Understanding of marketing and promotion strategies for fundraising initiatives.

Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage and motivate volunteers, supporters, and community groups.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Creative and proactive approach to overcoming challenges in fundraising and volunteer management.
• Competence in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with CRM or fundraising software.
• Confidence in delivering presentations and representing the charity at events and meetings.

Other Requirements

• A full current driving license
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends
• Night away from home
• You will be required to have a criminal record check carried out by the Disclosure & Barring (DBS) when you first join the charity and at regular intervals thereafter.
• Comfortable with dogs in the workplace/office