The public veterinary services sector in Kenya continues to play a critical role in safeguarding livestock health, ensuring food safety, and supporting the agricultural economy. In line with its mandate to enhance animal health systems and strengthen veterinary public health standards, a government institution is seeking to recruit ten (10) Animal Health Assistants under Job Group “G”.

These positions are based in Nairobi and form part of a broader initiative to reinforce frontline veterinary services at sub-county and county levels. The roles are structured to support disease surveillance, meat inspection, animal treatment, and compliance with regulatory standards governing animal health and food safety.

The Animal Health Assistant role is a technical, field-oriented position that requires practical engagement with livestock, slaughterhouse operations, and veterinary public health enforcement. The position is suitable for individuals with hands-on training in animal health and production who are seeking to contribute to Kenya’s livestock value chain while advancing public health outcomes.

This recruitment is conducted under permanent and pensionable terms, offering long-term career progression within the public service framework. Successful candidates will be deployed in operational environments that demand both technical proficiency and adherence to regulatory standards.

Position Overview

Job Title: Animal Health Assistant

Job Group: G

Number of Positions: 10

Location: Nairobi

Terms of Service: Permanent and Pensionable

Salary Range: KES 24,700 – 32,600 per month

House Allowance: KES 6,750 per month

Commuter Allowance: KES 4,000 per month

The Animal Health Assistant operates within the veterinary services structure and is primarily responsible for supporting animal health interventions and enforcing veterinary public health regulations. The role is positioned at the paraprofessional level and serves as an entry point for individuals trained in animal health disciplines.

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of the Animal Health Assistant position is to support the delivery of animal health services and veterinary public health functions at the operational level. This includes participating in disease control programs, conducting basic animal treatment procedures, supporting meat inspection processes, and ensuring compliance with slaughterhouse hygiene and meat transportation regulations.

The role contributes directly to safeguarding public health by ensuring that animal-derived food products meet established safety standards. Additionally, the position supports livestock productivity by assisting in preventive and curative animal health interventions.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Operational Responsibilities

The Animal Health Assistant is tasked with a range of field-based and technical duties that support both animal health and public health objectives. These responsibilities require a combination of practical skills, regulatory awareness, and the ability to work in diverse environments including farms, slaughterhouses, and inspection points.

Animal Treatment and Health Management

The role involves carrying out simple treatment procedures on animals under established veterinary guidelines. This includes administering basic medications and providing frontline support in managing common livestock ailments. The officer is expected to work closely with veterinary officers and other technical staff to ensure that treatment protocols are followed correctly.

Disease Surveillance and Reporting

The position requires active participation in disease search, surveillance, and reporting activities. The officer will be involved in identifying signs of disease outbreaks, collecting relevant data, and reporting findings through established channels. This function is critical in early detection and containment of livestock diseases, including zoonotic diseases that pose risks to human health.

Demonstration of Livestock Management Practices

The Animal Health Assistant is responsible for demonstrating proper livestock management techniques to farmers and stakeholders. This includes training on milking hygiene, parasite control methods such as dipping, spraying, and dusting, and general animal husbandry practices. These demonstrations are aimed at improving livestock productivity and reducing disease incidence.

Vaccination and Preventive Procedures

The role includes carrying out vaccination programs and other preventive procedures. These procedures include closed castration, dehorning, deworming, disbudding, docking, debeaking, and hoof trimming. The officer must ensure that these procedures are conducted safely, humanely, and in accordance with veterinary standards.

Meat Inspection and Grading

A key component of the role is conducting meat inspection and grading at slaughterhouses. The officer is responsible for ensuring that meat products meet safety and quality standards before being released for consumption. This includes identifying contaminated or diseased meat and taking appropriate action.

Slaughterhouse Operations and Record Keeping

The Animal Health Assistant is required to maintain accurate records of daily animal slaughter activities. This includes documenting the number of animals slaughtered, inspection outcomes, and any incidents of condemnation. Proper record keeping supports traceability and regulatory compliance.

Issuance of Certificates and Permits

The role involves issuing certificates of transport for livestock and meat products. Additionally, the officer is responsible for issuing movement permits and meat condemnation notices where necessary. These functions are critical in regulating the movement of animal products and preventing the spread of diseases.

Enforcement of Hygiene and Regulatory Standards

The officer is tasked with enforcing hygiene standards in slaughterhouses and ensuring compliance with meat transportation regulations. This includes inspecting facilities, monitoring sanitation practices, and taking corrective action where standards are not met.

Managerial and Supervisory Responsibilities

The position does not carry direct managerial or supervisory responsibilities. However, the role requires a high degree of accountability and the ability to work independently within assigned operational areas.

Job Requirements

Academic Qualifications

Candidates must possess a certificate lasting not less than two (2) years in any of the following disciplines:

• Animal Health
• Animal Health and Production

The qualification must be obtained from a recognized institution.

Professional Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following professional requirements:

• Registration and valid retention with the Kenya Veterinary Board
• Certificate in Meat Inspection
• Certificate in Computer Application Skills

These qualifications are essential for ensuring that the candidate is equipped with both technical and administrative competencies required for the role.

Experience

Previous relevant work experience is required. This experience should demonstrate practical exposure to animal health services, veterinary public health activities, or related field operations.

Functional Skills and Behavioral Competencies

The role requires a combination of technical skills and behavioral attributes that enable effective performance in field-based environments.

Communication Skills

The ability to communicate clearly with farmers, stakeholders, and colleagues is essential. The officer must be able to convey technical information in a manner that is easily understood.

Interpersonal Skills

The role involves regular interaction with diverse stakeholders, including livestock owners, traders, and regulatory authorities. Stron

• Carrying out simple treatment procedures on animals under established veterinary guidelines.
• Administering basic medications and providing frontline support in managing common livestock ailments.
• Active participation in disease search, surveillance, and reporting activities.
• Identifying signs of disease outbreaks, collecting relevant data, and reporting findings through established channels.
• Demonstrating proper livestock management techniques to farmers and stakeholders.
• Training on milking hygiene, parasite control methods such as dipping, spraying, and dusting, and general animal husbandry practices.
• Carrying out vaccination programs and other preventive procedures.
• Conducting closed castration, dehorning, deworming, disbudding, docking, debeaking, and hoof trimming.
• Conducting meat inspection and grading at slaughterhouses.
• Ensuring that meat products meet safety and quality standards before being released for consumption.
• Maintaining accurate records of daily animal slaughter activities.
• Documenting the number of animals slaughtered, inspection outcomes, and any incidents of condemnation.
• Issuing certificates of transport for livestock and meat products.
• Issuing movement permits and meat condemnation notices where necessary.
• Enforcing hygiene standards in slaughterhouses and ensuring compliance with meat transportation regulations.
• Inspecting facilities, monitoring sanitation practices, and taking corrective action where standards are not met.

• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Practical engagement with livestock
• Slaughterhouse operations
• Veterinary public health enforcement
• Computer Application Skills

• Certificate lasting not less than two (2) years in Animal Health or Animal Health and Production from a recognized institution.
• Registration and valid retention with the Kenya Veterinary Board.
• Certificate in Meat Inspection.
• Certificate in Computer Application Skills.