Veterinarian- ACCB
Posted: 8 November 2023| Full-Time | Phnom Kulen National Park, Cambodia
Overview
The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) is a species conservation project of the Allwetterzoo Münster, Germany, and has been established in 2003 in collaboration with the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP). It is one of the first nature conservation centres in Cambodia and is located within Phnom Kulen National Park, not far from Siem Reap and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. The ACCB currently houses approximately 1000 individuals belonging to about 33 species of reptiles, birds and mammals native to Cambodia. Roughly 97% of the individuals at the ACCB belong to a species classified as threatened by IUCN.
The primary goals of the ACCB are:
- To provide facilities and technical expertise for the conservation breeding of selected threatened species, and to initiate and carry out appropriate reintroduction programmes.
- To promote the rescue of selected native Cambodian wildlife and to provide adequate rehabilitation and release facilities while ensuring the maintenance of internationally recognised standards.
- To serve as an education and training center for communities, wildlife officials and visitors to the center in order to increase awareness of and build capacity for conservation and environmental protection and management, and to promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
- To initiate and participate in wildlife conservation and research activities in Cambodia, including in situ conservation activities, species recovery efforts, biodiversity inventories and natural resource-use assessment, and to provide information to support management recommendations for protected areas.
ACCB currently offers an exciting and unique opportunity for a Veterinarian to join a team of passionate conservationists. The successful candidate will be working with the team on continuing, improving, and further establishing of conservation management programmes for some of Cambodia’s rarest bird and chelonian species such as the Giant Ibis, White-shouldered Ibis, Bengal Florican, Southern River Terrapin, Elongated Tortoise, and other threatened species native to Cambodia.
In addition, he/she will have to be prepared to support a variety of other activities at ACCB as required. The Veterinarian is required to live on-site and is expected to be on call for emergencies. This is a challenging but rewarding position for a highly dedicated and motivated individual with a keen interest in contributing towards conservation in Southeast Asia.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The Veterinarian is responsible for the health of all animals at the centre. The successful candidate will work closely with the Curators for Ex-situ Conservation and animal keeping team, and reports to the Country Director. He or she makes recommendations and implements all aspects of management of captive breeding programs, animal arrivals, rehabilitation and release for all species at the centre. The Veterinarian will participate in the long-term planning for the ACCB with regards to conservation breeding programs, animal husbandry, animal facilities and staff developments in the Animal Department.
Main duties and responsibilities of the Veterinarian are:
- Oversee the overall health and welfare of all the animals under ACCB’s care, carrying out all aspects of veterinary work e.g., treatments, fecal screening, health assessments, minor surgeries, etc.
- Document all veterinary procedures, cases and observations in an appropriate manner and enter records into databases (ZIMS)
- Develop and implement a disease prevention and prophylactic treatment plan
- Assist with all aspects of hand-rearing of juvenile/orphan animals
- Develop and refine veterinary protocols in close collaboration with the Curators for Ex-situ Conservation, the Country Director
- Collaborate with the Country Director, Curator for In-situ Conservation & Research, Curators for Ex-situ Conservation, and the animal keeping team in pre-release assessments of animals prior to (re)introduction to the wild
- Perform and document postmortem examinations when required
- Advise on, and assist with, improvements to animal facilities and husbandry methods particularly when they relate to animal health
- Maintain veterinary facilities in a clean and orderly manner
- Acquire and maintain necessary drug stock, veterinary equipment and supplies
- Prepare budget requests and manage the allocated veterinary budget
- Carry out animal observations with regards to health issues and behavior
- Assist with animal rescues, when required
- Assist in identifying and mitigating hazards within ACCB, especially with regards to animal health and zoonotic diseases and develop a staff health plan in collaboration with human health professionals
- Participate in the planning process for the future development of ACCB with regards to veterinary aspects and for enhancing ACCB’s in-house laboratory capacities
- Participate in fundraising related to veterinary aspects
- Enhance ACCB’s scientific research capacities (e.g., collaboration with researchers from other institutions, publications in peer reviewed journals, etc.)
- Participate in the capacity building and training activities within and outside of ACCB, e.g. animal keepers, wildlife rangers
- Supervision of veterinarian students and volunteers
Requirements
- A degree in veterinary medicine is essential
- At least three years’ experience as a practicing veterinarian, working experience with exotic species (especially birds and chelonians) is an advantage
- Experience in clinical pathology, laboratory diagnostics and postmortem examinations
- Experience in animal nutrition is an advantage
- Experience with distance injection equipment (blowpipes) is an advantage
- Enthusiasm for disseminating scientific knowledge
- Strong interest in conservation issues in Southeast Asia, and Cambodia in particular
- Good communication and organizational skills are essential
- Written and oral fluency in English is required. Khmer communication skills, oral and written, is an advantage
- Self-disciplined, highly motivated personality able to work dependently as well as part of an international team
- Good improvisational and practical skills, willingness to take initiative
- Ability to live and work under basic conditions in a rural area. Some previous experience of working/living in developing countries and/or in tropical climates would be an advantage
- Computer literacy with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- ZIMS experience would be an advantage
- Physically fit and able to work outdoors in a hot, humid climate for extended periods of time
- Be culturally sensitive
- A clean driving license for cars
Duration, Conditions and Remuneration:
The position is for an initial guaranteed period of two years. Extensions will be considered based on mutual interest and funding availability.
Duty station: Kbal Spean, Phnom Kulen National Park
- The position includes free, shared, accommodation (private room with access to shared bathroom, kitchen and living room) plus utilities at our Conservation Centre at Kbal Spean in Siem Reap province.
- For foreign applicants’ airfare to/from site if required is covered, including one return flight per year
- The position includes a contribution towards health insurance
- Visa and work permit cost will be covered
- The position is full-time (8 hours) and will include working weekends, public holidays and on- call availability for emergencies
- 6 days off per month
- The salary provided will be sufficient to allow for a comfortable living in Cambodia
application process
Interested candidates are invited to send an application letter and CV (by combining into a single PDF file) together with the names and contact information of three references to applications@accb- cambodia.org. Please include “Veterinarian” in the subject line of your email. Closing date for applications is Sunday, November 26th, 2023. Please note that interviews may be held prior to the stated closing date. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
