Veterinarian

About the position

Veterinarian
South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) & Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases (CEZPD)

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and passionate Veterinarian to join a highly specialised healthcare and research environment dedicated to advancing animal welfare, scientific innovation, vaccine production, and public health research.

This role offers the opportunity to provide strategic veterinary leadership across animal production, research, diagnostic, and laboratory programmes while ensuring the highest standards of animal health, ethics, biosafety, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide veterinary leadership and oversight across animal production, research, and diagnostic programmes.
• Ensure compliance with animal welfare standards, veterinary ethics, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage the small animal unit, quality control, and stables operations.
• Oversee laboratory animal programmes and ensure best practices in animal care and welfare.
• Lead institutional animal ethics processes and ensure compliance with relevant standards and legislation.
• Implement and monitor compliance with veterinary and regulatory frameworks, including permits and biosafety requirements.
• Manage GLP/GMP quality systems and operational processes to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor analytical procedures and interpret quality control testing results.
• Oversee corrective actions, validations, deviations, and change control processes.
• Conduct routine animal health, welfare, and housing inspections and implement corrective measures where necessary.
• Prescribe and manage veterinary medicines and respond to after-hours emergencies.
• Assist with veterinary procedures including blood collection and necropsies.
• Develop, review, and implement SOPs aligned to compliance and ethical standards.
• Manage stakeholder, supplier, and research partnerships locally and internationally.
• Facilitate staff training and competency assessments related to animal handling and welfare practices.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree (BVSc/MVMCH - NQF Level 7)
• Registration with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
• Valid driver's licence
• Minimum 5 years' post-qualification experience
• Supervisory or management experience advantageous
• Experience with equine, sheep, poultry, and laboratory animals advantageous

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of animal welfare, laboratory animal models, ethics, and SAVC regulations
• Knowledge of GLP/GMP, biosafety, quality control testing, validations, aseptic procedures, and OHSA
• Strategic thinking and analytical capability
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong planning, organisational, and administrative abilities
• Research and report-writing capability
• Budget management skills
• Problem-solving and conflict management ability
• Attention to detail and ability to work under pressure

Why Join?
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful healthcare, vaccine production, and scientific research initiatives within a highly specialised and purpose-driven environment. You will work alongside leading professionals committed to innovation, quality, and advancing public and animal health.
If you are a dedicated veterinary professional looking to make a meaningful impact in research, animal welfare, and healthcare innovation, we encourage you to apply.

Desired Skills:

• SAVC
• Manage GLP and GMP
• Knowledge of GLP/GMP
• biosafety
• quality control testing
• validations
• aseptic procedures
• OHSA
• Veterinary Leadership
• Animal Welfare

Desired Work Experience:

• 5 to 10 years Veterinarian

Desired Qualification Level:

• Degree

About The Employer:

This leading healthcare, research, and pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is dedicated to advancing public health, scientific innovation, and life-saving healthcare solutions across South Africa and beyond. Through cutting-edge research, specialised vaccine and antivenom production, and world-class laboratory and veterinary programmes, the organisation plays a critical role in supporting disease prevention, healthcare advancement, and scientific excellence.

Employees are part of a highly specialised, collaborative, and purpose-driven environment that values innovation, ethics, quality, and continuous professional growth. This is an opportunity to work alongside industry-leading professionals and contribute to impactful work that improves both human and animal health outcomes.