Veterinarian
Vacancy Announcement:
Free the Bears
Veterinarian – Vietnam Programme
Start Date: 1st August 2022, or as soon after as possible.
Contract: Full-time two-year contract with potential to extend.
Subject to a 3-month probation period.
Location: Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary & Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre,
Cat Tien National Park, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.
Closing date for applications: 5th June 2022
Applications are sought from suitable individuals to fill the role of Veterinarian with Free the Bears in Vietnam.
About Free the Bears work in Vietnam
Working in close partnership with Cat Tien National Park (CTNP) and Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) Free the Bears is implementing an ambitious programme aimed at supporting the elimination of the illegal trade in bear bile through development of Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary (CTBS) in order to house Asiatic black bears and sun bears rescued from the bile farming industry. The CTBS is already home to more than 40 rescued bears, with further expansion of the sanctuary planned in order to increase capacity and support further rescues. A veterinary hospital was completed in 2019 and development of a Visitor Education Centre is underway in order to promote improved attitudes towards bears and long-term sustainability of the sanctuary.
Job Description
Currently, Free the Bears operates two facilities in Vietnam: Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre near the National Park Headquarters; and Cat Tien Bear Sanctuary which is 3km from the Headquarters and has large forest enclosures as well as Veterinary Hospital. Currently, we provide life-long care to 45 Asiatic black bears and sun bears, with additional housing under construction.
The primary role of the Veterinarian is to work with Free the Bears’ Animal Care Team within Vietnam and with Veterinary Teams in Laos and Cambodia, to ensure provision of optimal veterinary care for all animals within Free the Bears’ facilities. There will be a strong focus on skills development for this role, with capacity building trips to Free the Bears’ sanctuaries in Cambodia and Laos as well as visits to Cat Tien by international veterinarians.
The Veterinarian will work in close collaboration with the Cat Tien National Park veterinarian in the provision of daily medical treatment to the bear, as well as during rescue operations when bears are freed from bear bile farms. Given the nature of our work, which is often unpredictable due to rescues occurring often at short notice, a high degree of flexibility and excellent time management skills are required.
Essential Attributes:
- Vietnamese national
- Qualified veterinarian
- At least 1 years’ clinical experience
- Excellent clinical skills
- Highly motivated, hardworking, and compassionate
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong organization, management and leadership skills
- Ability to work in a diverse team setting
- Good understanding of written and spoken English language
- Flexibility and the ability to cope with changes in work priorities at short notice
- Ability to work weekends and public holidays as required
Desirable Attributes:
- Experience working with large carnivores, especially bears
- Knowledge of and experience in using database record-keeping systems
- Driver’s license, ability to ride a motorbike preferable
Benefits and Terms
- Full-time two-year contract with potential to extend, with some weekend work expected
- Competitive salary 18,000,000 – 28,000,000 VND gross per month, based on qualifications and experience
- Social & health insurance, unemployment insurance of the employee will be paid in accordance with the regulations on insurance after passing probation period
- Medical insurance
- Basic accommodation within Cat Tien National Park or Tân Phú District, Dong Nai Province
- Paid holidays (15 Annual leave and National Holidays as prescribed in the labour code of Vietnam)
- A bonus of one month’s salary will be paid at Lunar New Year
- Opportunities for international travel following probationary period
- A rare opportunity to develop new skills and improve existing skillsets in a unique and exciting environment
- Be part of an international organization driving change in the fields of wildlife conservation and animal welfare
Applications
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume by email to [email protected] with the subject title Veterinarian – Vietnam Programme.
Closing date for applications: 5th June 2022