Animal Health and Welfare NI was formed in 2012 as an industry led and funded not-for-profit company. It is overseen by a board of directors drawn from across the agri-food sector. Its remit is to facilitate the control and wherever possible the eradication of diseases and conditions of ruminants which are endemic in Northern Ireland through working in partnership with livestock producers, processors, animal health advisers and government. Working within AHWNI provides unique opportunities for those who wish to pursue a career in agriculture within Northern Ireland.  We are committed to providing our staff with an excellent working environment and opportunities to develop their career within the area of animal disease control.

The Post

The work of AHWNI is in a significant expansion phase with the further development of current infection control programmes as well as new initiatives. To meet these needs AHWNI is now seeking to recruit one or more members of staff with the primary responsibility of working directly with farmers and their recruitment to AHWNI work programmes as well as acting as a point of contact with those farmers engaged in AHWNI work programmes. The successful candidate will be based in the AHWNI Dungannon Office.

Key Responsibilities

  • To work with the AHWNI Chief Executive and Programmes Manager with the day-to-day running of current and future infection control programmes and associated research projects.
  • To assist with the recruitment of farmers into infection control programmes and to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with them.
  • Undertake on-farm visits which will include
    • farmer recruitment to AHWNI programmes.
    • providing information to farmers on the projects they are participating in.
    • undertaking farm surveying to assist with disease control.
    • maintaining buy-in into AHWNI programmes.
    • addressing farmer queries.
    • reporting programme outcomes to farmers.
  • To assist with the provision of written and oral outputs from control programmes including the development of detailed factual resources suitable for use by farmers, veterinary surgeons, DAERA officials, non-departmental public bodies, and other relevant non-governmental agencies.
  • Preparation and delivery of farmer events and meetings which may include running workshops and managing stands.
  • Assist as required with the day to day running of the AHWNI administration office.
  • Assist with the ongoing evaluation and development of the range of AHWNI programmes and initiatives, as well as the corporate development of the organization.

Qualifications, experience, and competencies

Essential Criteria

The successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies and experience.

  • A tertiary level qualification relevant to Agriculture.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of office software such as Microsoft Office.
  • Evidence of excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Evidence of excellent organisational skills
  • Evidence of management of accurate documentation
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a small team.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and manage time effectively.
  • Willingness to engage in lifelong learning in support of current and emerging work priorities.
  • Evidence of working with farmers.

Desirable Criteria

  • A postgraduate qualification in agriculture or a related discipline.
  • Experience of project management in the last 3 years including the ability to effectively plan, structure, and prioritise workstreams.
  • A good understanding of endemic infection constraints on the Northern Ireland ruminant sectors.

The successful candidate must agree with the aims, objectives, and work programmes of AHWNI and be sympathetic to the needs of the NI Agri-Food industry.

This post is permanent and will involve travel to meetings, events, and farms. It is therefore essential that candidates have a full driving license and access to a car. 

Candidates who wish to work either full-time or part-time are welcome to apply. The successful candidate may be required to work outside normal working hours with time off in lieu. 

We offer a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. 

Selection process

Candidates must submit a cover letter which provides evidence of how they meet the criteria described above, a curriculum vitae which includes their employment history and the name and contact details of two referees.  These should be sent to AHWNI, Unit 49, Dungannon Enterprise Centre, Coalisland Road, BT71 6JT or to [email protected] by 9th June. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

AHWNI will undertake a shortlisting exercise based solely on the evidence provided after which shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare a short written briefing (around 400 words) on a topic supplied by AHWNI and to present this in an oral presentation (around 10 minutes) as part of their interview.