Veterinarian JOHANNESBURG
Medical / Emergency / Health / Lab
JHB North, Johannesburg – Gauteng
Veterinarian
JOHANNESBURG
R1 141 014pa
REFERENCE NUMBER: CORPSAVP/NICD0426/001-01
Key Job Responsibilities:
- In the Business units: South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) and National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), provide professional veterinary leadership and oversight across NHLS animal production, research, and diagnostic programmes by ensuring the highest standards of animal health, welfare, ethics, and regulatory compliance
- Responsible for supervising veterinary and laboratory animal activities at the South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) and the Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases (CEZPD), supporting public health priorities through compliant production and research processes, maintaining accreditation and facility registrations, and providing expert veterinary input to safeguard quality, biosafety, and institutional integrity
- Manage the small animal unit, quality control, and stables department at SAVP
- Manage the Laboratory Animal Section of the CEZPD, NICD
- Lead institutional animal ethics committee (SANS 10386:2008) and ensure adherence to ethics requirements
- Implement and oversee compliance with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) and regulatory frameworks, including DoA Section 20 applicants, transport permits, GMO Act, and conservation laws
- Manage GLP and GMP quality and operational systems to ensure compliance and cost effectiveness
- Monitor analytical procedures performed by animal technologists and interpret Quality Control testing results
- Provide oversight of change controls, deviation, Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPS’s) and validation protocols in line with quality systems
- Conduct weekly health and welfare checks for small laboratory animals (more than 50 animals) and weekly checks of poultry flocks
- Conduct monthly inspections of animal housing and identify and implement corrective actions
- Prescribe and ensure availability of medicines <Respond to after-hours emergencies
- Assist and supervise procedures such as blood collection and necropsy
- Develop, implement and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for compliance standards and ethics
- Manage client and supplier relationships including venom contract suppliers
- Liaise with external research institutes on technical design and efficacy of antivenoms and support global research projects
- Develop and deliver training and competency assessments for staff handling animals, according to SAVC requirements.
Minimum requirements & key competencies:
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree (BVSc/MVMCH-NQF Level 7
- Registration with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
- Valid Driver’s Licence
- Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience
- Minimum of 3 years supervisory/management experience (Desirable)
- Proven experience with equine, sheep, poultry and laboratory animals (Desirable)
- Knowledge of immunological process, GLP/GMP, aseptic procedures, quality control testing, validation, biosafety, OHSA, finance and research statistics
- Knowledge of laboratory animal models, animal welfare, SAVC regulations and ethics
- Strategic & Analytical Skills
- Enterprise Architecture Skills
- Planning and Organising Skills
- Ability to conduct research and development strategic business documents
- Budget skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Strong Communication Skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Planning and Organising
- Administrative skills
- Conflict Management skills
- Time Management skills
- Ability to work under pressure
Closing date for applications: 16 May 2026
Should you not hear from us within 7 days of the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful
