B
Animal Health Technician: (Specialist) Durban Harbour at Border Management Authority
Border Management Authority
October 16, 2026
Full-time
On-site
Description
The successful candidates will be expected to perform the following duties:
Plan and implement Animal Disease Control measures
Responsible for the application of the Animal Disease Act by preventing animal diseases from entering RSA and controlling stray animals across the border.
Inspections of animals, animal products, vaccine distribution points and installations where animal products are processed.
Assist with investigations relating to surveys, post-mortems and animal diseases, e.g. foot and mouth disease.
Assist in obtaining and processing epidemiological and other data.
Enforce animal disease legislation along the international border fences, between the neighbouring countries, veterinary roadblocks, and border posts.
Regular inspection, auditing and monitoring of international animal disease fences.
Inspections of livestock for the presence of controlled and notifiable diseases.
Campaigns and other activities aimed at eradicating the spread of animal diseases
Create awareness to farmers along the border to always keep their animals away from the fences to avoid contact with neighbouring animals.
Determine interventions required to address the needs of farmers.
Regular patrol and inspection of animal disease fences.
Requisition of maintenance material and delivery thereof.
Prevent stray animals from crossing the border fence.
Assist in the identification of clinical signs of sick animals and arrange quarantine thereof.
Report and liaise with provincial and other departments as well as interested stakeholders.
Audit the international animal disease fences
Implement national control measures of animals and regulated articles.
Audit and keep register of private quarantine stations.
Conduct inspections along the international border fences to ensure no illegal animals and animal products are brought into the country illegally.
Ensure compliance with biosecurity measures
Responsible for the seizure and disposal of illegal or infectious animals, materials, or products thereof.
Conduct inspections at airports, landports, and harbours to ensure that no illegal animals or animal products are brought into the country.
Oversee the seizure and disposal of illegal or infectious animals, materials, or products thereof.
Tend to and care for animals at the quarantine station.
Ensure compliance with biosecurity measures.
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 animal products 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.
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 up to date with regard to the applicable prescripts, policies, procedures, technologies and new developments to be able to render an efficient and effective Animal Health & Public Health support services.
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.
Border Management Act, 2020.
Animal Disease Act, 1984
Meat Safety Act, 2000
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.
International agreements, conventions and bilateral agreements relating to phytosanitary, sanitary and food safety & quality matters.
Relevant legislation and regulations, norms and standards.
Five freedoms of animal welfare
Professional registration
Valid registration with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
Requirements
Minimum requirements
Grade 12
Undergraduate Qualification at NQF level 6 recognized by SAQA in Animal Health
Minimum of 3 years' experience at supervisory.
Flexibility in working hours and extensive travel will be required to meet the demands of the role.
May be required to work overtime.
Valid driver's License.
The successful candidates will be expected to perform the following duties:
Plan and implement Animal Disease Control measures
Responsible for the application of the Animal Disease Act by preventing animal diseases from entering RSA and controlling stray animals across the border.
Inspections of animals, animal products, vaccine distribution points and installations where animal products are processed.
Assist with investigations relating to surveys, post-mortems and animal diseases, e.g. foot and mouth disease.
Assist in obtaining and processing epidemiological and other data.
Enforce animal disease legislation along the international border fences, between the neighbouring countries, veterinary roadblocks, and border posts.
Regular inspection, auditing and monitoring of international animal disease fences.
Inspections of livestock for the presence of controlled and notifiable diseases.
Campaigns and other activities aimed at eradicating the spread of animal diseases
Create awareness to farmers along the border to always keep their animals away from the fences to avoid contact with neighbouring animals.
Determine interventions required to address the needs of farmers.
Regular patrol and inspection of animal disease fences.
Requisition of maintenance material and delivery thereof.
Prevent stray animals from crossing the border fence.
Assist in the identification of clinical signs of sick animals and arrange quarantine thereof.
Report and liaise with provincial and other departments as well as interested stakeholders.
Audit the international animal disease fences
Implement national control measures of animals and regulated articles.
Audit and keep register of private quarantine stations.
Conduct inspections along the international border fences to ensure no illegal animals and animal products are brought into the country illegally.
Ensure compliance with biosecurity measures
Responsible for the seizure and disposal of illegal or infectious animals, materials, or products thereof.
Conduct inspections at airports, landports, and harbours to ensure that no illegal animals or animal products are brought into the country.
Oversee the seizure and disposal of illegal or infectious animals, materials, or products thereof.
Tend to and care for animals at the quarantine station.
Ensure compliance with biosecurity measures.
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 animal products 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.
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 up to date with regard to the applicable prescripts, policies, procedures, technologies and new developments to be able to render an efficient and effective Animal Health & Public Health support services.
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.
Border Management Act, 2020.
Animal Disease Act, 1984
Meat Safety Act, 2000
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.
International agreements, conventions and bilateral agreements relating to phytosanitary, sanitary and food safety & quality matters.
Relevant legislation and regulations, norms and standards.
Five freedoms of animal welfare
Professional registration
Valid registration with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
Requirements
Minimum requirements
Grade 12
Undergraduate Qualification at NQF level 6 recognized by SAQA in Animal Health
Minimum of 3 years' experience at supervisory.
Flexibility in working hours and extensive travel will be required to meet the demands of the role.
May be required to work overtime.
Valid driver's License.