PROJECT MANAGER

The Animal Health Centre and Anexa Group provide veterinary and animal production services to clients across the Waikato. It presently employs more than 35 veterinarians and 60 support staff and operates 10 clinics. The business provides high quality animal health and production services to owners of dairy cattle, dairy goat and sheep enterprises as well as clinical services to owners of companion animals.

The Animal Health Centre is involved in ongoing research and development to ensure that the most up-to-date, relevant and accurate information and services are provided to clients. This research is undertaken by a dedicated research group, Cognosco, within the business. The group currently consists of two principle investigators/project managers, a PhD level laboratory leader, and two research technicians. Additional research technicians are employed on a seasonal basis to assist with on-farm animal sampling. The group has a number of external collaborations, has a good publication record and continues to attract external funding from the dairy industry, government and animal health companies. The group undertakes predominantly ‘applied’ research, with a strong focus on ‘real-world’ problems facing herd owners and veterinarians.

As a result of recently received industry and government funding, the Animal Health Centre wishes to employ a Project Manager for a dairy herd fertility management assessment project. This national project aims to benchmark the current fertility of New Zealand dairy herds and to assess the impact of introduction of a national dairy herd fertility programme on fertility. This large scale, multiyear, multi centre study will provide novel data about herd fertility, changes in herd fertility and factors affecting change in herd fertility. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a leading edge research project and to develop skills in a wide range of technical, social science and project management areas. This would be an excellent opportunity for a suitably qualified candidate to pursue PhD studies.

The key objectives of the position are to:
Assist in development of project design, development of technical operating manuals, data capture system and database design
Employ and manage research technicians in centres across New Zealand
Ensure appropriate training and ongoing coaching and performance of these technicians
Liaise with regional veterinary partners to ensure delivery of herd fertility services required for the project
Ensure ongoing data capture and quality of that data
Ensure timely and accurate reporting of data back to contributing herdowners, technicians and veterinarians

To be successful in this role the applicant will require:
An undergraduate (but preferably a masters) degree in animal or veterinary science
Experience in working with dairy herdowners, farm staff, technicians and veterinarians
Good knowledge of management and herd fertility management practices
Excellent planning and written oral communication skills
Effective people management skills that can be used across a range of people such as herdowners, staff, technical staff and veterinarians
Experience in working with database, spreadsheet, word processing and project management software

The position reports to Dr Scott McDougall, manager of the research group Cognosco of the Animal Health Centre.

The closing date for this position is the 4th of December 2008. It is envisaged that the position will commence in February 2009. To apply please forward your CV and covering letter to Andrea Flaxman aflaxman@ahc.co.nz or contact 64 7 889 5159.
Andrea(07) 889 5159

Mention thesciencejobs when applying to this advert.

Labels: _New Zealand, Animal_behaviour, dairy research, Project Manager/Coordinator, Veterinary Science