Background Landell Mills Limited, an international development consulting firm based in Wiltshire, UK, is recruiting an experienced hands-on Scientist for a newly established Veterinary Public Health Laboratory in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Established as part of a 4 year EC Funded Animal Health Development Programme (2006 – 2010) (see ) and housed within the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Veterinary Public Health Laboratory (or food safety laboratory) has been re-equipped with all the necessary basic equipment and some additional ‘state of the art’ technology, will benefit from full support services and will be refurbished as part of the overall project.

The Veterinary Public Health Laboratory will focus on Food Safety and Quality of Products of Animal Origin (POAO) to provide analytical services for Government and the Private Sector. In addition the laboratory will support proposals to establish Legislative Controls for Food Safety and Quality of home produced and imported food products in Afghanistan.

A number of Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) and Regional Veterinary Laboratories will also be refurbished and re-equipped as part of the overall project to provide Food Safety and Quality Controls and Animal Health Services throughout Afghanistan.

The Candidate The ideal candidate will be a self motivated Food Science/Technology graduate with initiative and vision and the successful candidate will have demonstrable skills and experience in microbiological and chemical evaluation of foods of animal origin, in particular milk and dairy products, meat and meat products and water for human consumption, food processing, and recreation. Experience with other foods will be of significant benefit.

Transfer of technology is an essential part of the project and the successful candidate will have the ability to develop and transfer skills to local staff who will ultimately accept responsibility for the operation of the laboratory and the provision of services.

Additional attributes will include: • Experience in the ‘commercialisation’ of food safety laboratories so that they are financially sustainable • Excellent oral and written presentation skills • Good organisational skills • Excellent intrapersonal and communication skills • Sound computer literacy • Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and, in particular, under own initiative • Capable of reacting positively and imaginatively to differing situations • Willingness to accept the working environment in a developing country • Cultural awareness

The Position Based in Kabul with travel to the regional laboratories, the position will provide an opportunity to develop and transfer the laboratory skills necessary to ensure the safety and quality of products of animal origin for human consumption. Training of technical staff and liaison with other members of the project team will be essential to ensure cooperation between the divisions of the Animal Health Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Animal Husbandry and other stakeholders involved in the food safety chain. Although part of a wider team the candidate will be handed the responsibility of ensuring the food safety laboratory is a success so a self-starter is needed.

Duration A specialist is required to start as soon as possible (although we are flexible to exact start dates) and will work until the end of the project (February 2010). We are flexible as to the exact number of months worked per year. This will be discussed with the candidate. The requirement is for at least 5 months a year, although ideally full-time (10 months per year).

Benefits We offer a competitive (negotiable) remuneration package with benefits in line with international expectations. The package will include all related project costs including travel, accommodation and emergency medical and travel insurance.

Interested candidates should send their CV (by email only) to: Simon Foxwell Director, Asia/Pacific Division, Landell Mills Limited