Wildlife Veterinarian – Vietnam

Position:  Wildlife Veterinarian – Vietnam 
Affiliation: Wildlife Conservation Society, Vietnam Program _Global Health Program
Duty station:  Hanoi (with frequent travel to field sites)
Application deadline: August 15th, 2010
Start date: to be discussed 
 
Background: 
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US?based conservation organization registered as a  non?profit, tax?exempt voluntary organization and has been dedicated to conserving the earth's biodiversity  since  its  establishment  in  1895.  Their  efforts  are  concentrated  in  many  of  the world's  developing  countries  where  biological  diversity  is  greatest  and  pressure  on  nature  is
most intense. WCS currently works in more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia, and North and Latin America  and  has  special  institutional  capacity  in  the  following  thematic  areas:    strengthening
institutional  capacity,  biodiversity  conservation,  natural  resource  management,  policy development,  protected  area  establishment  and  management,  landscape  conservation,  and
socio?economic strategies for conservation. 
 
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Global Health Program (GHP) works in tandem with the WCS Country  Program  in  Vietnam  to  address  the  critical  conservation  issue  of  illegal  hunting  and
trade  in  wildlife.  We  conduct  research  to  provide  reliable  data  on  the  health  and  emerging disease  aspects  of  the  wildlife  trade  in  Vietnam  and  use  the  interface  of  human,  wildlife  and domestic  animal  health  to  promote  conservation.    We  work  closely  with  the  government  to strengthen wildlife crime law enforcement in Vietnam, and through our partnerships with other
National  organizations  aim  to  build  political  momentum  within  Vietnam  to  take  wildlife  crime seriously. 
 
Scope of work: 
The National Veterinarian will work closely with the GHP Lead Field Veterinarian in Vietnam, the GHP  Asia  team,  alongside  Vietnamese  government  agencies,  to  plan  and  implement  zoonotic
disease research projects in wild animals in the various aspects of wildlife trade in Vietnam.  The Wildlife  Veterinarian  –  Vietnam  will  work  closely  with  the  GHP  Asia  team  and  WCS  Vietnam
office  to  ensure  efficient  and  accurate  organisation  of  documentation  and  finances  for  the project.    
 
Main activities
- Assist  GHP  Lead  Field    Veterinarian  in  Vietnam  with  planning  of  research  projects  into diseases in wildlife within trade systems in Vietnam
- Assist  with  collection  of  samples  from  wild  animals,  appropriate  storage  and  handling  of these samples and acquisition of export permits where necessary for diagnostics
- Establish  good  working  relationships  with  relevant  Vietnamese  government  agencies  to secure the necessary support for sample collection, storage and diagnostics
- Communicate and coordinate with other relevant research institutions that collaborate with which GHP Vietnam
- Assist  in  training  students  and  staff  from  government  agencies  including  FPD,  Customs,
- Quarantine and Environmental Police in wildlife health issues, biosecurity, sample collection and animal handling
- Assist with organisation of stakeholder meetings organised by the Global Health Program in
- Vietnam and present and translate material where necessary 
- Ensure all persons employed by GHP and all projects/activities conducted by GHP adhere to the WCS Vietnam policies, national labour laws, and national legislation. 
- Work with GHP regional and national veterinarians/ project managers/directors to generate financial reports, project reports and donor reports in English and Vietnamese
- Assure timely accounting and reporting on all country project expenditures 

 Essential qualifications: 
This position is for a Vietnamese national with an interest in wildlife and conservation, who has completed a University degree in Veterinary Medicine and has professional experience in  a  veterinary  capacity. Good  interpersonal  skills,  with  the  ability  to  communicate effectively in English and Vietnamese are essential.  
 
Desirable qualifications:
In addition, candidates with the following competencies are preferred:
- Experience  working  with  wildlife  or  with  an  international  organization,  or  INGO  would  be preferred but is not essential.  
- Practical experience in handling and collection of biological samples from animals
- Interest in wildlife and conservation
- Ability to work independently under minimum supervision within a team
- Willingness to travel within Vietnam and to work flexible hours that may include weekends
- Shows a high degree of initiative, responsibility, flexibility, personal/professional ethics
- Excellent time management, and problem?solving ability
 
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, contact details for 2 references to: 
Miss Pham Thi Minh – Country Finance Manager Wildlife Veterinarian – Vietnam 
1302, Thanh Cong tower, 57 Lang Ha, Ba Dinh, Hanoi 
Tel/Fax: +84 (0) 4 3514 9750/16? Ext 13
Email: [email protected] 
Deadline for Applications: August 15th 2010
 
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted