Animal Care Officer

The Born Free Foundation, the internationally renowned animal welfare and wildlife conservation organisation, is seeking to recruit an experienced animal carer to manage its animal rescue, care, rehab and release operations at its Wildlife Rescue, Conservation and Education Centre in Ethiopia.

Having supported projects in the country since 1995, the work of Born Free expanded in 2006 when it was granted permission to establish the country’s first Wildlife Rescue, Conservation and Education Centre in response to a recognised need. The Centre remains the only one of its kind in country and has taken in rescued lion, cheetah, primates, small cats, birds of prey and many other species. The aim is to return wild animals to the wild where feasible under carefully managed programmes or if not possible then to provide care for life.

Born Free Ethiopia’s overarching objective is to support the conservation and welfare of wild animals in Ethiopia especially by tackling illegal trade and ownership.

With an expanding range of species requiring expert care – from lions to baboons to birds of prey, Born Free is now looking to recruit an Animal Care Officer to manage the Sanctuary aspect of our work in Ethiopia in partnership with the Centre Manager. Reporting to the Country Representative based in Addis Ababa, the Animal Care Officer will manage and train a team of seven permanent local staff and, occasionally, additional staff hired on a temporary basis, to ensure expert day to day care; organise and oversee the rescue of wild animals (in cooperation with the Country Representative) and liaise with relevant parties including our project partner, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA). This role requires knowledge of the care of, and meeting the welfare needs of, a range of wild animal species, including dangerous animals; the development and adherence to various protocols including health and safety, team training and capacity building and rehabilitation and release (including Post Release Monitoring) of appropriate species with full adherence to The Born Free Foundation’s philosophy and mission.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Care of rescued, captive wild animals of multiple species, including carnivores, primates, ungulates, reptiles and birds.
2. Arranging supply of food and supplements
3. Designing and implementing environmental enrichment programmes
4. Ensuring the security and safety of the facilities (in consultation with the Centre Manager)
5. Arranging logistics and carry out the rescue/ collection of confiscated animals – often driving long distances in hazardous conditions (in consultation with the Country Representative)
6. Researching and undertaking rehabilitation, release and post-release monitoring activities where appropriate
7. Working closely with Ethiopian colleagues to ensure the delivery of excellent animal care (the Centre has a veterinarian on call)
8. Training the local animal care team (in the style of train the trainer)
9. Developing a budget for feeding and care
10. Assisting the Centre Manager, where requested, to plan relevant centre developments
11. When appropriate working with and supporting visiting researchers and volunteers (in consultation with the Centre Manager).
12. Reporting to and working closely with BFF UK head office

Core Competencies:

1. Experience of working at a sanctuary for wild animals – preferably in Africa
2. Have an interest in, and the knowledge and understanding of captive wild animal management, rehabilitation and release. This may involve round the clock hands-on care of young orphans
3. Experience in staff coordination, oversight and liaison
4. Self-motivated with a flair for creativity and problem solving, including an ability and willingness to work in an isolated location
5. Capability and patience to deal with protracted bureaucracy
6. Capability to arrange logistics and undertake rescues/relocations of wild animals
7. A flexible approach to work, with a willingness to work weekends and around priorities as they happen
8. Working effectively with a team from a range of cultural backgrounds
9. Willingness to learn the local language (Amharic) to aid communication with your team
10. Experience in training animal care staff to become trainers themselves
11. Full driving licence.

Essential requirements:

1. Eligibility for an Ethiopian Work and Residents Permit:
   a) A qualification in a relevant discipline at diploma level or higher from a recognized University, along with the original certificates
   b) Health certificate stating good general health
   c) Current passport with at least one year remaining

Initially, this will be a 12 month contract, starting in June 2017 with an opportunity to review by mutual consent; dependant on the successful application for an Ethiopian Work and Residents Permit.

Accommodation is provided; this will be predominantly on site during the week (house based within the rescue centre) with a room in Addis Ababa at the weekend for access to city amenities. Access to a shared vehicle will be provided.

Salary (c. £22,000) and benefits (including accommodation and one flight home each year) are negotiable according to relevant skills and experience. Medivac health insurance will also be included.

To apply for this role please email to recruitment@bornfree.org.uk your CV with a covering letter summarising your relevant skills addressed to:

The Operations Manager
The Born Free Foundation
Broadlands Business Campus
Langhurstwood Road
Horsham,
West Sussex RH12 4QP
United Kingdom

References will be requested

The closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) Monday 10th April 2017