Official Veterinarian (OV) in Exports and/or Imports
Exciting Opportunity: Become an Official Veterinarian (OV) in Export Health Certification and or Import Border Control with HallMark!
At HallMark, we don’t just offer jobs—we provide meaningful career paths. As an Exports and or Imports OV, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the fulfilment of international obligations, including meeting UK legal and political responsibilities, establishing and maintaining the reputation of the UK in relation to trade controls and certification, disease control and the control of illegal trade and fraud.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking veterinarians at all stages of their careers. Whether you're an experienced Export OV, experienced Portal OV, a member of the RCVS eager for new challenges, or a recent graduate from an RCVS-recognised university with strong English proficiency (IELTS level 7 or veterinary OET grade B), we want to hear from you! See RCVS English Language Requirements for details.
Available Roles
Export Vets: Veterinarian for Export Health Certification
Import Vets: Portal Official Veterinarian for Border Import Control
Locations: Various locations, UK
What We Offer
Comprehensive Benefits: Competitive salary, corporate health plan, car allowance, retailer discounts, pension contributions, and coverage of RCVS fees.
Relocation Support: Assistance for those relocating for the role.
Full Training & Certification: We fund the Export OV and or Portal OV training for non-qualified candidates.
Work-Life Balance: Local assignments to reduce travel, and a manageable staff-to-manager ratio for balanced workloads.
Visa Sponsorship: Fast-track visa sponsorship and support where required.
Role Overview
View the job descriptions.
-
Export OV-Export Health Certification:
Ensuring the fulfilment of international obligations, including meeting UK legal and political responsibilities, establishing and maintaining the reputation of the UK in relation to trade controls and certification, disease control and the control of illegal trade and fraud, ensuring that the requirements of the importing country are satisfied and ensuring that veterinary ethics and the reputation of the veterinary profession are maintained.
Being responsible for the completion of Export EHCs, ensuring the consignment it relates to complies with the animal and/or public health and/or other requirements (e.g. animal welfare) of the destination country as stated in the certificate.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons provides very clear guidance on veterinary certification within the Code of Professional Conduct and specifically the 10 Principles of Certification. Export work is based on the issuing of certificates and OVs should ensure that they clearly understand the rules under which these are issued.
Good preparation and attention to detail are essential when completing export certificates.
Before completing an EHC, it is important to read the NFGs and notes on the certificate to ensure awareness of any requirements of the importing country. These can vary from one EHC to another.
Carrying out inspection and verification tasks and supervising and checking the loading of products
Portal OV-Border Import Control:
Services must be delivered in accordance with http://apha.defra.gov.uk/official-vets/Guidance/bip/manual.htm
Responsible for the implementation of veterinary border controls for Products of Animal Origin (POAOs), and accountable for taking the decision on the outcome of those controls.
To execute all duties involving the enforcement of Statutes, Regulations and other legal requirements relating to applicable border controls and in particular:
Products of Animal Origin for Human consumption - (PoAO)
Products of Animal Origin Not for Human Consumption – (NfHC).
To enforce legislation aimed at preventing the importation of unfit, unsound, unwholesome and other non-compliant consignments of food or feed.
To contribute towards the development of the RTPHA annual sampling programme for Products of Animal Origin, that satisfies the UK National Monitoring plan. Assisting in the development of the wider Port Health Sampling Plan for food and feed, incorporating as required the relevant priorities that the Food Standards Agency might establish, liaising with official control laboratories in regard to product sampling and sample results.
Participate flexibly in the OVS duty rota, where applicable, to ensure the provision of adequate professional cover throughout opening times. Maintain constructive communication with RTPHA management and other teams, engage in constructive feedback regarding capability or conduct of self and others and highlight potential corrective actions to be undertaken to enhance service delivery.
To maintain a detailed knowledge of all relevant UK and EU legislation, DEFRA, FSA and relevant guidance.
To manage, train, supervise and monitor technical and support staff, where required, in the execution of all relevant Port Health duties, notably import controls including sampling, to ensure that regulatory action is consistent and appropriate.
To contribute towards the implementation of the Port Health Quality Management System as it affects the Service, ensuring continuous improvement.
To enforce all other relevant Port Health legislation such as waste disposal from ships and port areas including international Catering Waste.
Ensure that legislative requirements are met in relation to consignments, and monitoring re-exports, destructions and/or alternative uses for rejected consignments.
To carry out administrative requirements including the operation of Information Management Systems commensurate with the activity of the post holder. To utilise all available technology to complete assigned tasks. Where support staff services are used, the post holder will be responsible for the accuracy of information recorded.
To advise food business operators and undertake export certification, as authorised Official Veterinarians, on International Trade of POAOs subject to restrictions, either to Third Countries or to other Member States.
To undertake all enforcement work by identifying and adopting the most appropriate regulatory response(s) based on the most up to date RTPHA Enforcement Policy.
All
Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with customers and colleagues, paying attention to customer care and the promotion of the HallMark service.
Completing the required documentation in an accurate and timely manner
Inputting data into company and other systems
Contributing to staff training as required
Abiding by company health and safety and biosecurity policies
As part of a multiskilled position, other duties may be required, including carrying out inspections on farm, Animal Welfare Licencing visits, TB testing, OV work in Meat establishments, and collecting samples of food products for sampling projects.
Qualifications & Skills
Essential:
Veterinary degree (BSc or MSc) and RCVS membership, or eligibility for RCVS registration.
Strong English proficiency (IELTS level 7 or veterinary OET grade B).
Excellent communication skills with a strong focus on delivering ethical customer care under scrutiny.
A great team player who is both reliable and flexible
A flexible approach to working hours.
Driving licence
Preferred:
Qualified Export OV: hold the OCQ(V) – ES (Essential Skills), EX (Exports General) & PX (Products Exports) qualifications
Current experience of working as a Portal OV at a BCP (desirable)
Good knowledge of the food industry
Experience in an abattoir/meat processing setting (red meat or white meat) or export health certification.
Knowledge and experience of appropriate legislation and controls, health certification, drafting notices and enforcement.
Ready to Elevate Your Career?
Click the button below to apply—your journey with HallMark starts here!