Canine Partners’ mission is to change the lives of disabled people using expertly trained dogs to improve physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Our amazing dogs bring greater independence and an improved quality of life to their partners, offering security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks.
We are looking for a passionate and innovative individual to join our dedicated Puppy Training Team as a Puppy Trainer. This is an exciting opportunity at a prominent assistance dog charity for a dog training instructor to develop their skills and take on new responsibilities within this rewarding field.
Position: Puppy Training Coordinator
Hours: 22.5 hours per week (3 days per week).
Contract: Temporary Maternity Leave Cover (9 month minimum contract)
Location: Homebased in South Hampshire. This role covers a specified geographical location in the Southeast of England - South Hampshire (purple area on the map attached). There will be regular travel involved in this role to undertake visits, training sessions and to transport dogs and puppies, therefore it is essential that you have a driving licence and appropriate vehicle for work purposes or the ability to travel significant mileage in line with the requirements for the role. See the job description for the area map.
Direct Reports: Puppy Training Volunteers
You will be part of the ambitious puppy team, developing, coordinating, and supporting the puppy training programme. You will have the opportunity to work with and train volunteers in the appropriate care and training of Canine Partners’ puppies. You will work with puppies from eight-weeks to approximately 15-months old, ensuring they receive appropriate socialisation and training before entering our assistance dog training, giving them the foundations to learn how to be life-changing assistance dogs, bringing greater independence and quality of life to people with physical disabilities. A proactive approach is key to maintaining the welfare and behavioural standards for the puppies. All training at Canine Partners follows best practice, positive reinforcement methods and this role is an ambassador for this approach.
About you:
- Experience of working with puppies.
- Good working knowledge of best practice dog training and behaviour.
- Good practical dog handling and training skills.
- Effective interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills.
- Strong administration skills with accurate record keeping.
- Coaching/ Teaching skills.
- Computer literacy/ IT skills (MS Office – minimum requirement basic level)
- Full UK driving licence and use of appropriate vehicle for work purposes.
- Ideally, you may have experience of working with volunteers.
It may be advantageous, but not essential, for you to have a relevant Animal Behaviour and Training Council – Animal Training Instructor (ABTC-ATI) accreditation. Most importantly, you will be passionate about the transformative impact that our assistance dogs provide to our beneficiaries.
Interested?
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please apply online with a comprehensive CV and supporting statement explaining how you believe you match the requirements of the role.
Please note we may interview candidates prior to the closing date. If we find a suitable candidate or receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advertisement prior to the closing date so apply now to ensure you don't miss out! Please be assured that we contact all candidates regarding the outcome of their application, this may take longer if we receive high volumes of applications.
Closing date: 22nd September 2025
First interviews are scheduled to take place online (via MS Teams) in the week commencing 29th September 2025.
Second interviews are scheduled to place in person the week commencing 6th October 2025.
*Subject to changes.
We recognise the benefit of diverse experience and welcome and encourage applications from all sections of the community. We are a disability confident committed employer.
REF-223 525
Registered Charity
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We will change the lives of disabled people using expertly trained dogs to improve physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
Thank you!
Circa £42,000 per annum
Temporary (Funded until August 2029 – This post is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
Part time: 24.5 hours per week
Working from home in Northern Ireland with regular local travel and, at least quarterly, meetings in London. Access to a car and a clean driving licence are essential requirements.
UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.
This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as a member of the Rights Respecting Schools Team.
With knowledge and experience of child rights education in school settings, you will play a key role in the implementation of the RRSA in Northern Ireland. You will have a key role in delivering the COLOUR project (Communities of Learning, Openness, and Understanding through Rights) - a cross-border collaboration with partners from UNICEF Ireland, Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership, and Ulster University.
The successful applicant will have:
- Excellent knowledge of the CRC, the education landscape in Northern Ireland and the challenges facing school leaders at this time.
- Well developed ICT and communication skills and a clear capacity to lead, support and develop colleagues.
- High levels of personal drive and motivation with a proven commitment to effective teamwork and delivering positive change for children.
Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.
Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 1 October 2025.
In return, we offer:
· excellent pay and benefits (including generous annual leave and pension contributions, and wellbeing tools)
· outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role
· an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.
· the opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children throughout the UK
Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.
We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.
UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
The successful candidate will be required to apply for an enhanced criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.
We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.
If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the Supporter Care line during office hours.
If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.
Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)
Registered Charity
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The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), a charity funded by supporters, raising funds for UNICEF’s work for children.
