General Information

Position Title
Veterinarian
Job Category
Operations
Duty Station(s)
Home based
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Retainer
Contract Level
IICA 2
Posting Start Date
23-Apr-2026
Posting End Date
07-May-2026
Duration
Ongoing

Job Highlight

Provides expert veterinary guidance to strengthen canine operations in humanitarian demining, including assessments, procurement, infrastructure, and training. Ensures high standards of animal health, welfare, and operational readiness through capacity building and quality assurance across implementing partners.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to global partners, from the UN Secretariat to Member States. NYPO strategically positions UNOPS with these partners, fostering collaboration to achieve growth and leveraging expertise in global portfolio design and implementation. We support the broader SDGs and 2030 Agenda, primarily assisting the UN Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities with a global reach. NYPO encompasses the Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), focusing on explosive threat management, and the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC), providing diverse operational support to the UN system in New York.

Job Specific Context

The veterinarian will provide key inputs on the requirements for the scale-up of existing animal care practices, procedures, and future plans for various implementing partners worldwide. By covering functional areas including humanitarian demining and canine services, the primary objective is to clarify operational requirements regarding infrastructure, procurement, and training to establish a solid foundation for project implementation.


This is a home based retainer vacancy/contract. A retainer contract provides for the engagement of services on a need-driven basis, with remuneration based on actual time worked or deliverables completed. Travels will be required. 


UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.


Role Purpose

Provides specialized veterinary expertise to assess, standardize, and strengthen canine health systems across humanitarian demining programmes, ensuring consistent operational quality and partner capacity.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Reporting to the Global Technical Advisor or to the designated Programme’s representative, the PSC Veterinarian will ensure the quality of animal health and veterinary support provided by the implementing partner and make recommendations to the Global Technical Advisor. The Veterinarian will contribute to enhancing partner canine care capacity by contributing to the establishment of proper processes for animal care, facilities, handling and training. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following during critical needs assessments and project implementations:

  • Assessment of existing animal care processes, facilities, and capacity:

    • Conduct thorough assessments of existing partner capacity as it relates to all relevant components of animal care.

    • Assess the soundness of technical requirements and viability of Canine (Explosive Detection Dog - EDD, Narcotic Detection Dog - NDD, and Human Scent Detection Dog - HSDD) health support provided by implementing partners.

    • Provide findings and analysis to capture in internal reports as well as final reports to be shared with donors.

  • Provide recommendations related to procurement and animal health:

    • Work closely with the Senior Procurement team in order to support all procurement planning related to animal health-related matters such as procurement planning and specification drafting.

    • Identify technical requirements for the procurement of dog food, dog medicine, dog collars, and toys, and when applicable, scope suppliers.

    • Ensure procedures include mandatory laboratory checks of dog food upon arrival in-country if the shipping time exceeds one month.

  • Provide recommendations related to facilities and animal health:

    • After careful assessment of facilities, work closely with the Infrastructure and design planning team on technical requirements and lay out all key components of facilities (both new construction and upgrading existing structures) required to support animal health.

    • Ensure the infrastructure team has a strong understanding of the infrastructure upgrades that will be needed in order to accommodate animals.

  • Provide recommendations related to training, care, processes, and procedures related to animal health:

    • Work closely with dog handlers and trainers to understand their processes and procedures of animal care, and compile all recommendations for changes that will improve the services provided by the partner.

    • Draft and initiate plans to implement quality assurance measures regarding animal support and Veterinarian health services.

    • Develop technical requirements and procedures for Canine health services and provide inputs.

    • Provide recommendations and plans for rehoming dogs deemed unable to perform Canine functions.

  • Reporting:

    • Produce comprehensive reports that compile the recommendations on the above operational requirements.

  • Monitoring and Progress Controls

  • Reporting: The findings of the Veterinarian will be compiled into comprehensive Critical Needs Assessment Reports, which will include specific recommendations for implementing multi-year initiatives to build partner EDD capacities.

  • Impact: The work of the Veterinarian will be essential in ensuring animals are cared for and successful in their EDD capacity globally.

  • Health Checks: Routine review of animal health metrics, including daily health check summaries, and formal monthly health check summaries signed by handlers, team leaders, and a veterinarian.

  • Facility Audits: Review of weekly veterinary reports and monthly assessments of dog food storage facility conditions.

Skills

Capacity Building, Procurement, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, Quality System, Reporting & Analysis

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Veterinary Medicine or related fields, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, is required; OR

    First-level University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Veterinary Medicine or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required. 



Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is defined as experience in veterinary medicine or related fields.
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience in veterinary medicine. 
  • Experience working in conflict, post-conflict, or humanitarian operations.
  • Proven experience working with dog trainers and handlers.
  • Demonstrated experience in supporting the development of animal care plans and programs
  • Experience in providing recommendations on animal care procurement and infrastructure design.

Language Requirements

Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
French Fluent Desirable
Chinese, Mandarin Fluent Desirable
Russian Fluent Desirable
Arabic Fluent Desirable
Spanish Fluent Desirable

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.