Plant and Animal Biosecurity Management Mentor

We’re looking for a Plant and Animal Biosecurity Management Mentor who can live and volunteer for 12 months in Bhutan.

• This assignment seeks to Assess and strengthen the effectiveness of plant and animal quarantine infrastructure, operations, and biosecurity measures at border points
• To be considered for this role, you’ll need a Masters/PhD in Plant/animal biosecurity (Entomology/Pathologist/animal health)
• As a volunteer, you will support to evaluate laboratory and human resource capacity supporting plant and animal quarantine decision-making

About the Partner Organisation 

The Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) is an integrated regulatory agency with the mandate to safeguarding Bhutan’s agricultural system and public health through the regulation of (1) the plant and animal biosecurity implementation, (2) the quality and safety of agri-food products, (3) quality, safety and efficacy of medicines, and (4) reducing supply and demand for the controlled substances. The Bhutan Food and Drug Authority delivers its mandates through five Regional and 15 Cluster Offices spread across the country under the direction of its Headquarters located in Thimphu. It has 180 technical officials with specialisation in a range of fields within the purview of its mandates. This assignment will support the strengthening the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority’s capacity to effectively deliver its national mandate on plant and animal biosecurity. As the country’s first line of defence against transboundary pests and diseases, Bhutan Food and Drug Authority’s quarantine system plays a vital role in ensuring the timely detection, prevention, and response to organisms of quarantine significance. Robust and well-functioning plant and animal quarantine measures are essential to protect agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and the environment, while also supporting safe trade and food security. However, evolving biosecurity risks, increasing cross-border movement of goods, and resource constraints necessitate a strategic transformation of existing quarantine systems.

About the Australian Volunteers Program  

The Australian Volunteers Program is an Australian government-funded initiative. We support partner organisations across the Pacific, Asia, and Africa to achieve locally led change.  

Volunteers are supported throughout their volunteer journey. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds and abilities to volunteer and aim to make the program as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you have accessibility requirements, please contact us to discuss how we can support you to volunteer with us - inclusion@australianvolunteers.com. Learn more about our commitment to inclusion.