Animal Welfare Officer

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity 

We are seeking a highly experienced Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) to provide veterinary leadership and institutional oversight for all research and teaching activities involving animals at Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland. 

You will act as the University’s primary expert and advisor on animal welfare, ensuring compliance with New Zealand animal welfare legislation while upholding the highest standards of care and ethical practice, and enabling compliant, responsible and world class research outcomes. 

You will lead with an enable and empower approach, supporting your team and the research community to apply animal welfare standards confidently, ethically and consistently in a complex research environment. 

Main responsibilities and duties: 

• Lead and empower your team of Clinical Services Veterinarians, building capability, confidence and professional judgement through clear scope, mentoring and development. 

• Partner effectively with internal and external stakeholders (researchers, animal facility managers, technicians, regulators and sector peers) to enable ethical, high quality research. 

• Ensure compliance with New Zealand animal welfare legislation, the Codes of Ethical Conduct and University policies, providing clear, pragmatic guidance and helping researchers to proceed safely and confidently. 

• Lead education and training programmes for animal care staff and researchers on animal ethics legislation, refinement of animal manipulations, the use of medicines in animals, and the application of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement), aligned with sector expectations and good practice guidelines. 

• Provide trusted advice to the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and senior stakeholders to identify, manage and mitigate animal welfare risks. 

• Partner with the AEC Manager to support the effective and efficient pre-screening of applications to the AEC.  

• Partner with the Animal Research and Compliance Manager to deliver inspections, audits and monitoring of animal facilities and research activities, with appropriate follow up and continuous improvement actions. 

• Use data, IT systems and reporting to articulate processes, demonstrate service effectiveness and drive ongoing service improvement. 

This is a fulltime, permanent contract (37.5 hours per week) at Band I, with a salary range of NZ$112,100 – NZ$137,200 per annum. 

The role is based at 49 Symonds Street, Auckland CBD, with regular regional travel to University animal facilities, including locations such as Leigh Marine Laboratory.  

A full New Zealand driver licence is required. The role also participates in a shared on call roster to provide service coverage within agreed hours. 

For further details, please review the position description. 

He kōrero mōu | About you 

You are a New Zealand registered veterinarian with substantial professional experience and a strong commitment to animal welfare. You are a confident, people focused leader who enables others to succeed by building capability, clarity and trust. 

You will ideally bring: 

• Significant clinical veterinary experience, underpinned by a strong animal welfare focus. 

• Comprehensive knowledge of New Zealand animal welfare legislation, ethical standards and compliance requirements. 

• Experience working with laboratory animals in a research or teaching environment (highly desirable). 

• Demonstrated ability to lead, support and empower teams, fostering confidence, accountability and professional growth. 

• Strong capability working with data, IT systems and reporting, using information to evidence service effectiveness and drive continuous improvement. 

• A collaborative leadership style, with proven success partnering with researchers, committees and senior stakeholders, and enabling practical, ethical solutions. 

• Confidence making robust, defensible decisions in complex or sensitive situations, supported by excellent communication and judgement. 

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team 

You will be part of Te Puna Tiketike | Research and Innovation Office (RIO), a service division that supports the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) to deliver the University’s research and innovation strategy. 

Reporting to the Associate Director, Research Operations, Ethics and Integrity, the Animal Welfare team includes a small, highly specialised team of Clinical Services Veterinarians. This team serves as the University’s subject matter experts in animal health and welfare and delivers a critical service that underpins ethical, compliant, and high quality medical and scientific research across the University. 

Postgraduate qualifications in animal welfare, laboratory animal science or a related field (eg, MSc, PhD, or Diploma) 

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer 

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland - is New Zealand’s leading university. We employ more than 5400 academic and professional staff to support over 41,000 students, making us one of NZ’s largest employers. 

We offer you the opportunity to join a dynamic, world-class institution in one of the world's most desirable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through the following: 

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home and flexible hours) 

• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme 

• A competitive salary with five weeks' annual leave 

In addition, we also offer career development programs, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and other discounts on internal and external services.  

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply 

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of Friday 20th of February 2026 (NZST) to be considered. Please include your cover letter and CV highlighting how you can meet the abovementioned skills and experiences.  

Please reach out to Nick Kearns on  [email protected] for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email. 

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz