Director Animal Health & Welfare
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Farah Experiences seeks a Director of Animal Health & Welfare to lead comprehensive animal health and welfare programs at a zoo/aquarium facility in Abu Dhabi. The role oversees veterinary care, preventative medicine, nutrition, and animal welfare, managing a team and budget.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the maintenance and management of all aspects of collection animal health including diagnosis and treatment of disease, preventative medicine programs, the animal welfare program, and nutrition
- Oversees medical care of rescued animals as part of various programs
- Responsible for leading the Animal Health Department annual budget
- Shares responsibility for the management of animal rescue program with the Zoological team
- Consults and educates the Zoological colleagues and leadership team in areas of health, welfare, and husbandry
- Conducts animal health research projects and prepares results for presentations and peer reviewed publications
- Provides strategic direction and contribution to the planning, organization, and implementation of the Animal Health and Welfare department's short and long term plans and goals
- Develops and updates colleagues resourcing and plans for the team
- Plans and develops the Animal Health and Welfare department's annual operating budget in coordination with the Zoological husbandry team
- Develops and maintains safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for colleagues and animals
- Assists in the field for rescues, health assessments and possible research with various species
- Participates in developing long range goals and objectives, including capital planning
Requirements
- Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree
- Master's Degree or postgraduate qualification in Veterinary Medicine
- Must be able to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in the UAE
- 10 years of employment experience in a Zoo, Aquarium, or Oceanarium Organization
- 10 years of experience in a leadership role
- 10 years of experience in the development and oversight of zoological budgets
- Strong leadership, communication and teamwork skills
- Critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated knowledge with professional zoo/aquarium and animal behavior and conservation communities
- Advanced computer skills, including MS Office applications
Full Job Posting
Job Overview
- The Animal Health and Welfare Director is responsible for providing direction of and participation in the comprehensive animal health and welfare program.
- This includes the zoo's animal population (mammals, fish, reptiles, birds & invertebrates) as well as supporting any associated Rescue & Rehabilitation program.
- This position is integral to the direction of the facility's high animal welfare standards and to the advancement of the science of animal health.
- This role is responsible for the management of the animal welfare program and sits within the Strategic Operations Management Office; a Miral Experiences Board.
- This position is responsible for all aspects of the animal health and welfare program of the team and associated operations; responsible for developing a high performing and motivated team.
Job Scope
- Responsible for the maintenance and management of all aspects of collection animal health including diagnosis and treatment of disease, preventative medicine programs, the animal welfare program, and nutrition.
- As part of various programs, oversees medical care of rescued animals.
- Responsible for leading of the Animal Health Department annual budget.
- Shares responsibility for the management of animal rescue program with the Zoological team.
- Consults and educates the Zoological colleagues and leadership team in areas of health, welfare, and husbandry.
- Conducts animal health research projects and prepares the results for presentations and peer reviewed publications.
- Provides strategic direction and contribution to the planning, organization, and implementation of the Animal Health and Welfare department's short and long term plans and goals.
- Develops and updates colleagues resourcing and plans for the team.
- Plans and develops the Animal Health and Welfare department's annual operating budget in coordination with the Zoological husbandry team.
- Develops and maintains safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment for colleagues and animals.
- Assists in the field for rescues, health assessments and possible research with various species.
- Participates in developing long range goals and objectives, including capital planning.
Essential
- Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree.
- Master's Degree or postgraduate qualification in Veterinary Medicine.
- Must be able to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in the UAE.
- 10 years of employment experience in a Zoo, Aquarium, or Oceanarium Organization. This may include Post doctoral training or a minimum of 2 years of full time practical experience.
- 10 years of experience in a leadership role.
- 10 years of experience in the development and oversight of zoological budgets.
- Strong leadership, communication and teamwork skills.
- Critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated knowledge with professional zoo/aquarium and animal behavior and conservation communities.
- Advanced computer skills, including MS Office applications.
Desirable
- Board eligibility, Member or Diplomat status of a recognized Veterinary statutory / professional body.
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