Specialist Animal Health and Compliance Role at BKB Ltd
BKB Ltd is seeking a qualified and experienced Biosecurity Practitioner to join its operations in Bethlehem, Free State, on a permanent basis. This associate-level role is critical to ensuring the effective implementation and management of Auction Biosecurity Plans across the group’s various auction venues.
The position is suited to a dedicated animal health professional with strong regulatory knowledge, practical field experience, and the ability to enforce compliance with national biosecurity legislation and livestock auction requirements.
About the Role
The Biosecurity Practitioner is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining a reliable, auditable, and traceable Auction Biosecurity Plan at each designated auction venue. The role ensures full compliance with the Biosecurity Rules for Livestock Agents as published in Government Gazette No. 43900 (Board Notice 135 of 2020), as well as all applicable animal health and livestock legislation.
This position requires a high level of independence, sound judgement, and strong communication skills, as the incumbent will engage with auction staff, agents, transporters, authorities, and external stakeholders to ensure biosecurity risks are effectively managed and controlled.
Key Responsibilities
Auction Biosecurity Plan Implementation
The successful candidate will implement and oversee a comprehensive Auction Biosecurity Plan at each auction venue, ensuring that all activities are conducted in accordance with approved biosecurity protocols. The plan must support auditable and traceable processes that demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and internal standards.
All biosecurity actions must be documented accurately and maintained in line with applicable policies and procedures.
Legislative and Regulatory Compliance
The role carries responsibility for ensuring strict adherence to all relevant animal health and livestock legislation, including:
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Animal Disease Act 35 of 1984
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Animal Identification Act 6 of 2002
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Stock Theft Act 57 of 1959
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Animal Protection Act 72 of 1962
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Agricultural Produce Agents Act 12 of 1992 and associated rules of conduct
The Biosecurity Practitioner must maintain a current working knowledge of these legislative frameworks and ensure consistent compliance across all auction operations.
Animal Identification, Health Verification, and Control
The incumbent will ensure that all animals entering demarcated biosecure areas have been correctly documented, identified, and assessed for health status prior to entry. This includes verifying ownership, brand markings, brand marking certificates, and identification documentation of owners and transporters where applicable.
Any animal that appears suspicious, does not comply with marking requirements, or is suspected to be stolen must be reported immediately to the local SAPS Stock Theft Unit.
Access Control and Biosecure Area Management
The Biosecurity Practitioner is responsible for ensuring that biosecure areas are clearly demarcated, with defined access points and visible signage outlining biosecurity protocols. Only individuals who have been decontaminated to the required standard may enter these areas.
All third-party movement within biosecure areas must be diligently recorded, monitored, and managed in accordance with the approved Biosecurity Plan.
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Health Protocols
The role includes arranging and overseeing cleaning and disinfection of biosecure areas after every auction. The practitioner must also ensure compliance with Covid-19 protocols in line with the “Covid-19 Directions Regarding Livestock Auctions”.
Ongoing monitoring ensures that hygiene, disease prevention, and contamination control measures are consistently applied.
Advisory Support, Reporting, and Record Management
The Biosecurity Practitioner will provide feedback and information on animal health matters to support monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. This includes contributing to advisory services, compliance programmes, and projects that enhance stakeholder capacity to manage biosecurity risks.
Accurate updating and maintenance of records and databases are essential to ensure information integrity and regulatory compliance.
Minimum Requirements
To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:
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Bachelor of Health Science in Veterinary Technology or related qualification
(BHSc, BVSc, or BVetNurs) -
Registered with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
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Minimum 3 years’ experience in the animal health field
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Extensive knowledge of legislative and regulatory frameworks related to animal health
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Good computer literacy and reporting capability
Skills and Professional Attributes
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
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Ability to work independently with strong interpersonal skills
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Excellent written, verbal, and reporting communication skills
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Analytical and problem-solving ability
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Effective listening and decision-making skills
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Strong time management and organisational ability
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Capability to manage and guide teams in a compliance-driven environment
Core Competencies
The successful candidate will display:
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Drive and energy
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Persuasion and influence
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Flexibility and adaptability
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Initiative and action orientation
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Impact and influence in regulatory environments
Working Environment and Employment Details
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Position Type: Permanent
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Company: BKB Ltd
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Division: BKB
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Location: Bethlehem, Free State
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Industry: Agriculture
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Job Functional Area: Other
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Minimum Experience Level: Associate
Apply for Biosecurity Practitioner
Qualified candidates who meet the above requirements are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
Closing Date: 27 January 2026
Applications can be submitted via the platform below:
Apply for this position
If you do not receive feedback after applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.
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