Veterinary Officer (Public Health)

An exciting opportunity exists in the South Atlantic for a full-time Official Veterinarian to join our small, busy and very varied practice in the Falkland Islands starting in September 2025

The Role

The Veterinary Services of the Falkland Islands Government invites applications for the post of Veterinary Officer – Public Health.

The position consists of a focus primarily on public health duties for the Competent Authority of the Falkland Islands. The public health duties include working in the EU approved Abattoir and in fishery establishments (annual audits and inspections of vessels). Support to upskill in fishery sector requirements will be given. Other duties include participation in disease outbreak preparedness and biosecurity policies and eradication of zoonotic disease programmes.  Travel to farms for farm audit visits will be required. This allows you to see a lot of the Falkland Islands and really be part of the agricultural community of the Falkland Islands.

Routine office hours are from 8am to 4:30pm, with a set lunch break between 12-1pm with some variations to hours during the busy slaughter season.

The Person

You should be a qualified Official Veterinarian and have at least 5 years’ OV experience working in food producing establishments or a similar field. Ideally that will include red meat EU approved establishments and a good knowledge of EU food producing legislation. Experience and a willingness to participate in and help review and develop disease outbreak response protocols, consider biosecurity and zoonotic disease eradication programmes would be advantageous.

The Package

• Initial 1 year Fixed Term Contract, with potential for extension of 1-4 years by mutual agreement.
• Starting salary Range £47k-56k, with up to £64k for exceptional candidates. Salaries will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.
• Eligibility for a 25% Gratuity, paid upon successful completion of the contract.
• 30 Days Annual Leave, plus government and public holidays (totalling 41 days leave).
• Relocation Allowance, to help with moving costs.
• Flights Package for you and your dependents, including annual return flight home.
• Government Housing for rent and a starter pack to help you settle in.

How to Apply

For more information on the post and how to apply online to join our team in a unique and breath-taking location, with penguins, dolphins and the wilderness just next door to your office, please visit our recruitment website: www.jobs.gov.fk.

Applications close Friday 30^th May 2025.

If you have any questions about working for the Falkland Islands Government or would like further information about applying, you can find contact details at the above link or email zfowler@naturalresources.gov.fk

The Working Environment

Falkland Islands Government (FIG)

The Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory, with full internal self-government.

As the largest employer in the Falkland Islands, we offer many unique and fulfilling job opportunities, across the full spectrum of public services. Our responsibilities include those typically managed by central government – taxation, legislation and policy, as well as those usually managed on a local level such as town planning, health and social services, and education. FIG also provides services specific to the needs of the Falkland Islands, such as fisheries research, power generation and the Government Air Service, FIGAS.

For more information about working for Falkland Islands Government, take a look at our recruitment microsite: www.jobs.gov.fk

The Falkland Islands

Set in the South Atlantic Ocean, around 400 miles east of South America and 8000 miles south-west of the UK, the Falkland Islands are a small, thriving community with a British way of life, benefiting from good local services, a varied social calendar and an absence of traffic jams!

The Falkland Islands’ stunning natural environment provides an unspoiled landscape and amazing wildlife to observe and explore, including penguins, whales and dolphins, all seen from the shore.

For those with a sense of adventure, it provides opportunities which are hard to match anywhere else in the world.