Veterinarian Public Health Officer: (Specialist) Durban Harbour at Border Management Authority

Description

The successful candidate will be responsible for, amongst others, the following specific tasks:

Meat Hygiene and Food Safety

• Monitor and inspect, import and export products/animals and accompanying documentation to ensure that international standards are adhered to.
• Execute law enforcement in accordance with the Meat Safety Act.
• Abattoirs & sterilization plants:
• Auditing and monitoring abattoir hygiene through routine sampling and conducting of regular inspections.
• Making recommendations regarding the registration, upgrading and repair of existing facilities.
• Implementation and verification of the Hygiene Assessment System (HAS).
• Provide training to meat inspection staff, slaughter personnel and quality control officers.
• Ensure that game harvesting processes comply with national and international standards.

Stakeholder Management and Relations 

• Provide advocacy on Agriculture related matters to relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the necessary organs of state and domestic and international organisations to promote and enhance effective, efficient and secure animal and plant movement.
• Ensure the development and effective stakeholder relations management with both local and international communities in support of national objectives and agriculture priorities.
• Build and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships for the purpose of expectations management, knowledge sharing and integration.
• Support the identification and mitigation of internal systems and procedural barriers to enhance excellent customer service.
• Represent and participate in the BMA’s committees and tasks teams as member of the executive team.
• Support the implementation of timeous communication on relevant information and legislation to the Ports of Entry.
• Participate in industry related forums, conferences and workshops to gain industry insight for the purpose of business improvement and position the BMA.

Administrative Services 

• Keep abreast of changes in agriculture legislation, regulations and respond to changes through adjustments to the strategy and operational plans as required.
• Ensure submission of mandatory reports and information.
• Assist in the establishment, maintenance and improvement of Standard Operating Procedures, policies, and guidelines relating to the business unit in consultation with the Supervisor.
• Monitor changes in the regulatory environment and ensure that appropriate operational controls are implemented to address new requirements.
• Ensure effective support in the provision of evidence to all internal and external audit requirements.
• Adhere to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures throughout the BMA.

Knowledge

• The Constitution.
• Good governance and Batho Pele Principles.
• Internal performance evaluation and reporting.
• Government decision making processes.
• Diversity Management.
• Performance Management and Monitoring.
• Public Service Regulations.
• Government systems and structure.
• Public Finance Management Act.
• Animal disease and their control.
• Epidemiological principles and methods.
• Farming practices.
• Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act 40 of 2000).
• Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984).
• BMA Act, 2020 (Act 2 of 2020)
• Foodstuffs, Cosmetics & Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972).

Requirements

Minimum requirements

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Undergraduate qualification at NQF 6 as recognised by SAQA in National Diploma/ Degree in Environmental Health 
• 3 years relevant experience at Specialist /Professionals:
• Flexibility in working hours will be required to meet demands of the role.
• May be required to work overtime.
• Valid driver’s License

Professional registration or license requirements

• Valid registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa