VSF-Belgium is a
recognized developmental International NGO founded in 1995 working with
disadvantaged communities to increase their standards of living, improve
food security and livelihood sustainability through improved animal
health and animal production.
In East Africa, our
programmes focus on community based animal health services, capacity
building of local institutions and governments, conflict mitigation and
sustainable natural resource management.
Position Title: Field Veterinarian
Duty Station: Garissa County
Duration: 11 months
Role: The Field
Vet will provide technical support in the implementation of the VSF
Belgium animal welfare project funded by The Brooke.
This will be done in a in
a culturally appropriate manner and in accordance with standards and
guidelines provided by VSF Belgium and the Brooke.
The holder of this position will be required to travel extensively to project sites within Garissa County.
The position will report to the Project Manager, Garissa.
Responsibilities
Project implementation, monitoring and reporting
- Carry out needs assessment in a participatory way to identify knowledge gaps and appropriate training aids for the local service providers
- Develop work plans, facilitate implementation and formulate monitoring plans for the project in consultation with the programme manager and field team
- Implement the principles of applied equine behavior and welfare, humane handling and compassion building, ensuring that the welfare needs of working donkeys are understood and prioritized within communities and livestock service providers
- Provide veterinary knowledge and skills for on donkey/equine welfare and work with livestock service providers to ensure alignment with existing policies and minimum standards of welfare
- Cultivate and encourage learning amongst the communities and livestock service providers in animal welfare, ethical decision-making, equine behavior and humane handling of working donkeys and their application in practice
- Plan, facilitate, and monitor any capacity building/ training on animal welfare and related topics
- Be at all times a role model for sympathetic and humane handling, treatment and management of working equine animals
- Liaise with other players in the county with similar interventions to ensure synergy and collaboration
- Support the Kenya team in development of project concepts and proposals with reference to specific donor regulations
- Compile comprehensive mission specific, monthly and other relevant project reports or documentation
- Responsible in promoting cross-learning between communities through gathering, documenting and sharing best practices
- Support in other project activities as advised by supervisor
Project finance management
- Ensure adequate use of funds allocated to project activities and all field missions as per VSF B and specific donor policies
Communication and information
- Inform and collaborate with the project manager on continuous basis
- Representing and communicating the interests of VSF Belgium work internally and externally
- Promotion of team spirit at all levels
- Assist the Programme Manager to identify and effectively manage all animal welfare related risks
Minimum Requirements
- University degree in Veterinary Medicine or Science, Animal health or related fields from a recognized university.
- Should be duly registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board.
Knowledge & Experience
- Knowledge of basic animal welfare concepts and an understanding of the importance of working equines to the economies of developing countries
- An understanding of the evidence-based approach to veterinary medicine and animal welfare
- Experience and field practice in animal welfare or working with equines especially working donkeys
- At least four years experience in the animal husbandry and medicine sector in pastoral regions is ideal
- Experience in developing and implementing projects through partners at grass roots
- Knowledge and experience in building professional external networks
- Experience in assessing training needs and capacity building of community groups
Skills & Attitudes
- Clear strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem solving skills
- A culturally sensitive communicator and excellent negotiation skills
- Motivation to engage and learn and be at all times a role model
- Good writing and reporting skills
- Good organizational and analytical skills
- Ability to work under pressure in remote areas with pastoral communities
- Ability to deal with conflict and crises and mobilize communities for appropriate responses
- Computer literacy especially with MS Word, Excel and power point
- Fluent in written and spoken Swahili and English; knowledge of the local language would be an added advantage
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Willingness to work flexibly and on occasions, outside of office hours
- Committed to the mission of VSF Belgium, adherence to animal welfare minimum standards and legislations governing vet service provision, and community development principles
- Proven ability to work with a range of local stakeholders including local government and project partners
- Attentive to detail
- Team player
Please send your
application (reference to Field Veterinarian), CV and 3 references (one
must be your current employer, by e-mail to recruitment@vsfb.or.ke on or
before 14th May 2013.
This Vacancy is open to male and female candidates.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
For more information: www.vsf-belgium.org