Animal Care Manager

Job Title: Animal Care Manager, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

 Reporting to: General Manager, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

 Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Job Objectives:

The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (LLWC) is seeking an independent and self motivated Animal Care Manager experienced in captive wild animal management to ensure exceptional standards of care and welfare.

Core Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all animals at LLWC are provided the best available care in terms of housing, nutrition, enrichment, health, social interaction and pre-release training (if applicable)
  • With the assistance of the part-time veterinarian, attend to animal health issues (e.g. initial and annual health checks, injuries, illnesses, etc.)
  • Work to and refine existing animal care protocols and, if needed, develop new protocols for novel species
  • Work with the veterinarian to maintain clear animal health records
  • Train and mentor LLWC staff in animal welfare and husbandry ideals
  • Advise on and assist with improvements of animal facilities, e.g. repairs, furnishing of enclosures, environmental enrichment
  • Co-ordinate the maintenance of the veterinary clinic and ensure effective management of drug / hardware stocks
  • Make recommendations on the release of captive animals back to the wild

• Manage annual budgets for the department and identify income streams
• Undertake departmental fundraising through local and international grant applications and acquisition of local in-kind donations and sponsorship
• Report to Trustees quarterly on animal care issues
• Promote the LLWC’s work to visitors, sponsors, collaborating partners, etc.
• Liaise with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Government Veterinary Department on animal rescues, releases, imports and other wildlife issues as they arise 

Core Competencies:

Essential

• Considerable experience and, ideally, a qualification in the field of wild and exotic animal captive care, especially primates
• Proven personnel management skills
• Sound financial management  and attention to detail
• Good English (spoken and written) and strong communication skills
• Excellent organisational competencies and ability to multi-task
• Physically fit and able to work in a hot climate
• Ability to adapt and to live in a different culture
• Flexibility to develop innovative and practical solutions to challenges

Desirable

• Qualifications in veterinary nursing
• Experience of writing successful grant proposals

This is a full time role based at the LLWC in Malawi for a minimum two-year term, with the option to extend. The jobholder must be prepared to work evenings and weekends when needed.  Accommodation will be on site in a self contained studio flat. A full passport and clean driving license are required.

Salary and benefits: £500 per month and an annual return flight from place of recruitment to Lilongwe.

Start Date: Early January 2011.

Application Process: Please send a cover letter summarising your interest and relevant skills and experience for this role along with your CV including the names and contact details of two referees (one to be your current employer, the other someone familiar with your work) to: Jonathan Vaughan, General Manager at wildlife@llwc.org. 

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 19^th November 2010

*For further information: See www.lilongwewildlife.org and http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/paw-centres/lilongwe-wildlife-centre/