About the position
Locum Veterinarian (2-Month Contract)
About the Role:
An exciting opportunity exists for a qualified and experienced Veterinarian to provide professional leadership and oversight across animal production, research, and diagnostic programmes within a highly regulated scientific and public health environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide veterinary leadership and oversight across animal production, research, and diagnostic operations.
- Ensure compliance with animal welfare, ethical standards, and applicable veterinary regulations.
- Manage the Small Animal Unit, Quality Control, and Stables operations.
- Oversee the Laboratory Animal Section and associated animal care programmes.
- Chair and lead the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee in accordance with SANS 10386 requirements.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks, including veterinary, biosafety, transport, GMO, and conservation legislation.
- Manage and maintain GLP and GMP quality systems to ensure operational effectiveness and compliance.
- Monitor analytical procedures conducted by animal technologists and interpret quality control testing results.
- Oversee change controls, deviations, CAPAs, and validation protocols within quality management systems.
- Conduct routine animal health and welfare assessments, including laboratory animals and poultry flocks.
- Perform inspections of animal housing facilities and implement corrective actions where required.
- Prescribe veterinary medicines and ensure appropriate stock availability.
- Respond to after-hours veterinary emergencies when necessary.
- Supervise specialised procedures including blood collection and necropsies.
- Develop, review, and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Manage relationships with suppliers, service providers, and research partners.
- Provide technical veterinary input on research projects, antivenom efficacy studies, and related scientific initiatives.
- Deliver training, mentorship, and competency assessments for staff involved in animal handling and care.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc/MVMCh) or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification.
- Registration with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
- Valid South African driver's licence.
- Minimum 5 years' post-qualification veterinary experience.
- Supervisory or management experience will be advantageous.
- Experience working with laboratory animals, poultry, sheep, and equine species.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Sound understanding of laboratory animal science and animal welfare principles.
- Knowledge of immunological processes and quality control testing.
- Experience with GLP, GMP, validation processes, and aseptic procedures.
- Understanding of biosafety, occupational health and safety requirements, and research methodologies.
- Familiarity with SAVC regulations, animal ethics requirements, and relevant legislation.
The successful candidate will ensure the highest standards of animal health, welfare, ethics, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance while supporting research, vaccine production, and laboratory animal management activities.
Desired Skills:
- SAVC regulations
- laboratory animal science
- GLP
- GLM
- biosafety
- Vet
- Veterinarian Science
Desired Work Experience:
- 5 to 10 years Veterinarian
Desired Qualification Level:
About The Employer:
A leading public health and biomedical organisation dedicated to advancing healthcare through diagnostic services, disease surveillance, research, vaccine production, and scientific innovation. The organisation plays a critical role in supporting national health priorities by maintaining high standards of quality, regulatory compliance, biosafety, and research excellence. Through its specialised laboratories, production facilities, and scientific programmes, it contributes to the prevention, detection, and management of communicable diseases while promoting animal welfare, public health, and continuous scientific advancement.
