About this role
Haut-Lomami area and Haut-Katanga area - Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) : The Veterinary Health Manager will hold single accountability for animal health across the group's ranching operations. The post carries responsibility for the herd health of every animal the business owns, on all ranches, from the breeding herd through to stock leaving for sale or transfer. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS A veterinary degree (BVSc, BVM, DVM or equivalent), or a senior animal health or herd health qualification backed by substantial commercial responsibility. Candidates without a veterinary degree must demonstrate that they have carried full herd health accountability at scale rather than worked under supervision. At least seven years post-qualification experience with cattle, of which a minimum of three in a commercial beef operation. Experience confined to government extension, smallholder advisory work or companion animal practice will not meet this requirement. Demonstrable ownership of a herd health calendar across a herd of several thousand head on more than one site, with responsibility for coverage and outcome rather than for treatment on request. Practical competence in post-mortem examination, sampling and laboratory submission, and in the tick-borne and clostridial disease complex of central and southern Africa. Practical competence in breeding soundness evaluation and pregnancy diagnosis. Numeracy and record discipline: the ability to build, defend and report a dataset on mortality, coverage and cost, and to work in spreadsheets and digital systems rather than field notebooks. Willingness and eligibility to register with the Ordre National des Médecins Vétérinaires of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the qualification requires it. The company will support the registration and work permit process. Fluent English, and either working French or a firm commitment to acquire it within the first year. Almost all official, procurement and staff-facing business in the Democratic Republic of Congo is conducted in French. Willingness to be based on site in a remote location, to travel constantly between ranches on poor roads, and to work to a rotation rather than to office hours. A valid driving licence and genuine competence driving four wheel drive vehicles in difficult conditions. Experience in commercial extensive ranching in southern or eastern Africa - Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Kenya or Tanzania. Exposure to feedlot health, including intake health, acidosis and respiratory disease management. French at a working professional level, and Swahili. Experience sourcing veterinary inputs into a landlocked or import-constrained environment, with cold chain responsibility. Experience training and supervising para-veterinary and lay animal health staff. Familiarity with herd management software, or with building records systems where none existed. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO Herd health programme Disease surveillance, diagnosis and outbreak response Breeding and reproductive health Movement control, biosecurity and quarantine Veterinary supplies, cold chain and budget Data and reporting People and standards ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted