Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee Category D members

Role length: Sessional, 3 years Meetings: Quarterly, 1-2 hour meetings Location: Melbourne CBD, online or another location Salary: Sessional rates About the board The Department of Education (the department) has established the Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee (VSAEC) to oversee the care and use of animals on school premises that are used for teaching purposes. The Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code) defines teaching purposes as any action or group of actions undertaken to achieve an educational outcome in science. An educational outcome in science is achieved by imparting or demonstrating knowledge or techniques to achieve it, as specified in the relevant curriculum or competency requirements. According to the Code, VSAEC members fall into 4 categories:

• Category A – a veterinary surgeon with relevant experience
• Category B – a person with substantial recent scientific or teaching experience in the use of animals
• Category C – a person with a demonstrated commitment to animal welfare and ethics
• Category D – an independent person who has not been involved in the scientific use of animals and who is independent of the Victorian Department of Education.

About the role The department is currently recruiting Category D VSAEC members. VSAEC reviews all applications related to the use of animals for teaching purposes and approves those that meet the ethical requirements in the Code. Further, VSAEC members advise and recommend ways to support schools in conducting all activities relating to animal care and use according to high ethical standards to the department. At times, VSAEC members may be asked to participate in audits of schools to monitor the use of animals in schools. VSAEC has 4 scheduled meetings per year and additional extraordinary meetings as required to assess new applications, evaluate ongoing projects, and monitor the use of animals in schools. Meetings are conducted online. Members are expected to read and assess new school applications before meetings and provide this feedback to VSAEC Secretariat prior to the meeting. Meetings are typically for 2 hours. In accordance with the Code, expressions of interest are sought for Category D VSAEC members who:

• are independent persons who have never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education
• are not employed by or otherwise associated with the Victorian Department of Education
• should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the committee.

Who we're looking for As our ideal candidate you will:

• be willing to provide your perspective on school applications and initiatives to promote animal welfare at schools
• have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to listen to and respect diverse viewpoints
• be willing to declare any potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, in respect of teaching with animals’ applications put before the VSAEC
• be competent in the use of computers and videoconferencing technology such as Microsoft Teams.

Successful applicants must complete the mandatory 1.5 hour eLearning module on Animal Ethics Committee developed by Animal Welfare Victoria within the first 6 months of appointment. The eLearning module has been specifically developed for Animal Ethics Committee members and supports VSAEC members to:

• review applications related to the use of animals for teaching purposes in Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools, and approve those that meet the requirements documented in the Code
• provide advice and recommendations to the Victorian Department of Education on ways to support schools to conduct ‘teaching with animals’ activities to a high ethical standard
• participate in visits to schools to inspect project compliance, animal housing facilities, and record-keeping for projects or activities that have been approved by the VSAEC
• contribute to the review and development of policies and guidance to support schools to conduct ‘teaching with animals’ activities.

Terms of membership

• Members of the VSAEC are appointed for up to 3 years. Members may renominate or be renewed at the discretion of the department.
• If a member of the VSAEC wishes to resign, they must notify the VSAEC in writing with a 30-day notice period.
• At times, a conflict may arise. In such scenarios, the department may request a member of the VSAEC to stand down.
• Members of the VSAEC will be required to sign a ‘Confidentiality Agreement’ before taking up duties and complete a Department of Education Conflict of Interest declaration.

This form will require you to provide a description of how your experience and qualifications meet the requirements, as well as the contact details of a referee. To find out more information, please contact Dr. Matthew Knight, Project Manager, Teaching with Animals, Department of Education at 9057 4508 or #J-18808-Ljbffr