Veterinarian at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Role Purpose

• Provides specialized veterinary expertise to assess, standardize, and strengthen canine health systems across humanitarian demining programmes, ensuring consistent operational quality and partner capacity.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Reporting to the Global Technical Advisor or to the designated Programme’s representative, the PSC Veterinarian will ensure the quality of animal health and veterinary support provided by the implementing partner and make recommendations to the Global Technical Advisor. The Veterinarian will contribute to enhancing partner canine care capacity by contributing to the establishment of proper processes for animal care, facilities, handling and training. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following during critical needs assessments and project implementations:

Assessment of existing animal care processes, facilities, and capacity:

• Conduct thorough assessments of existing partner capacity as it relates to all relevant components of animal care.
• Assess the soundness of technical requirements and viability of Canine (Explosive Detection Dog - EDD, Narcotic Detection Dog - NDD, and Human Scent Detection Dog - HSDD) health support provided by implementing partners.
• Provide findings and analysis to capture in internal reports as well as final reports to be shared with donors.
• Provide recommendations related to procurement and animal health:
• Work closely with the Senior Procurement team in order to support all procurement planning related to animal health-related matters such as procurement planning and specification drafting.
• Identify technical requirements for the procurement of dog food, dog medicine, dog collars, and toys, and when applicable, scope suppliers.
• Ensure procedures include mandatory laboratory checks of dog food upon arrival in-country if the shipping time exceeds one month.
• Provide recommendations related to facilities and animal health:
• After careful assessment of facilities, work closely with the Infrastructure and design planning team on technical requirements and lay out all key components of facilities (both new construction and upgrading existing structures) required to support animal health.
• Ensure the infrastructure team has a strong understanding of the infrastructure upgrades that will be needed in order to accommodate animals.

Provide recommendations related to training, care, processes, and procedures related to animal health:

• Work closely with dog handlers and trainers to understand their processes and procedures of animal care, and compile all recommendations for changes that will improve the services provided by the partner.
• Draft and initiate plans to implement quality assurance measures regarding animal support and Veterinarian health services.
• Develop technical requirements and procedures for Canine health services and provide inputs.
• Provide recommendations and plans for rehoming dogs deemed unable to perform Canine functions.

Reporting:

• Produce comprehensive reports that compile the recommendations on the above operational requirements.
• Monitoring and Progress Controls
• Reporting: The findings of the Veterinarian will be compiled into comprehensive Critical Needs Assessment Reports, which will include specific recommendations for implementing multi-year initiatives to build partner EDD capacities.
• Impact: The work of the Veterinarian will be essential in ensuring animals are cared for and successful in their EDD capacity globally.
• Health Checks: Routine review of animal health metrics, including daily health check summaries, and formal monthly health check summaries signed by handlers, team leaders, and a veterinarian.
• Facility Audits: Review of weekly veterinary reports and monthly assessments of dog food storage facility conditions.

Skills

• Capacity Building, Procurement, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, Quality System, Reporting & Analysis

Education Requirements

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Veterinary Medicine or related fields, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, is required; 
• First-level University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Veterinary Medicine or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in veterinary medicine or related fields.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in veterinary medicine. 
• Experience working in conflict, post-conflict, or humanitarian operations.
• Proven experience working with dog trainers and handlers.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting the development of animal care plans and programs
• Experience in providing recommendations on animal care procurement and infrastructure design.