Vets Without Borders has an open Researcher position (remote) for our Northern Animal Health Initiative, our project based in Northern Canada.
Download Job OverviewJob Details
Job Title: Researcher, Needs Assessment
Country: Canada
Location: Remote, access to a computer and internet is required.
Partner Organization: Veterinarians Without Borders
Duration: 4 months
Start Date: As soon as possible
Pre-departure Training: VWB/VSF will provide training orientation.
Eligibility Requirements: Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only.
Language Requirements: English (essential), working knowledge of French and Northern dialects (desirable)
Academic Requirements: Post-secondary education, preferably in a related field.
Fundraising: VWB/VSF encourages each volunteer to raise funds towards the organization’s operations.
Overall Goal
Identify existing needs in access to veterinary care and animal health initiatives in northern Canada with recommendations on priority areas and available resources.
- Determine communities in the Canadian territories and remote areas of provinces where there is currently veterinary care, as well as communities where there are 100 or more families without veterinary care
- Identify groups currently offering services to remote veterinary support to remote communities in Canadian provinces
- Identify the needs from groups to grow their capacity and impact
- Identify available resources ie. Mobile veterinary clinics, mobile vet equipment, etc that can address the needs
Skills
Essential
- Interest in animal health, particularly in Northern Canada communities
- Strong understanding of census and other research data
- Interview and communication skills
- Analytical mindset, exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills.
- Excellent time management skills
- Commitment to the principles of volunteer cooperation and familiarity with participatory approaches to development, including the promotion of gender equality, good
Desirable
- Familiarity with animal welfare terminology
- Understanding of animal care and veterinary service delivery in
remote communities
About The Northern Animal Health Initiative
Canada’s vast, sparsely populated northern regions are defining elements of our nation, where dogs are integral to the culture, and iconic for these regions. Unfortunately, there are wide gaps in access to veterinary services in northern Canadian communities, resulting in animal health and welfare concerns as well as human health and safety issues.
There are only a handful of full-time veterinary clinics operating in the three Canadian territories; in addition, long distances, physical isolation of communities, and high travel expenses reduce access to veterinary services across the north. In 2017, a VWB report documented over 50 communities of 100 or more people who were without access to full-time veterinary care. Many of these communities have never had temporary veterinary clinics and have requested the resources to offer basic animal health care, as well as assistance in providing programs to address One Health issues, such as rabies transmission.
We are operationalizing our Northern Animal Health Initiative with the vision of being more strategic and focused on the sustainability of the intervention. There will be enhanced emphasis on implementation of a community animal health worker framework and training to expand services across the targeted Territories and on engaging Territorial governments and Indigenous leadership for strengthened legislative environments. The provision of annual temporary veterinary clinics will be part of this and will continue with a view to expansion to other communities. This will be done in a participatory manner to allow for supporting/strengthening of the partnerships.
About Veterinarians Without Borders
Veterinarians without Borders/Vétérinaires sans frontières (VWB/VSF) works for, and with, communities in need to foster the health of animals, people and the environments that sustain us. VWB/VSF works nationally and internationally to train animal health workers, increase food security, and improve animal & public health. VWB/VSF provides overseas volunteer placements for veterinarians and other animal & public health professionals.
Our Commitment
Veterinarians Without Borders/Vétérinaires sans Frontière is an equal opportunity employer and values the diversity of our team.
We are committed to inclusive and equitable employment practices and strive to create a workplace that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion. VWB/VSF Canada welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to ensure an equitable hiring process. Thank you for your interest in VWB/VSF Canada.
