Post of Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma)/Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) in the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply

Nomenclatures denoting the male gender include also the female gender.

​1. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply, invites applications for the post of Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma)/Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) within the Veterinary Services Directorate in the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply.

2.1 This appointment is subject to a probationary/trial period of six (6) months in the case of an Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma) at Salary Scale 12 and to a probationary/trial period of twelve (12) months in the case of Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) at Salary Scale 10.

2.2 The salary for the post of Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma) is Salary Scale 12, which in the year 2026 is equivalent to, €23,816.00 per annum, rising by annual increments of €354.00 up to a maximum of €25,940.00.

2.3 A Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma) will progress to Scale 10 (€27,055.98 x €407.67 - €29,502.00 in 2026) on completion of five (5) years service in the grade of Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma) in Salary Scale 12.

2.4 A Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma) who obtains a recognised relevant first degree at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent*), as recognised by management from time to time whilst in employment in the Veterinary Technical Class, shall automatically be promoted to the grade of Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) in Scale 10 (which in the year 2026 is €27,055.98 x €407.67 - €29,502.00), upon successful completion of the probationary period, and will benefit from provisions regulating the grade of Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) found in the pertinent agreement.

*A recognised comparable Bachelor's qualification, as applicable, is only accepted subject to an MQRIC formal recognition statement being submitted with the application (subject to the provisions of clause 5.4 of the General Provisions document). A recognised Bachelor's qualification from the University of Malta (awarded pre-2009) with less than 180 ECTS credits is acceptable provided that it is verified by MQRIC or the University of Malta that the workload is comparable to the minimum of 180ECTS credits.

2.5 The salary for the post of Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) is Salary Scale 10 (which in the year 2026 is €27,055.98 per annum, rising by annual increments of €407.67 up to a maximum of €29,502.00).

​2.6 A Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) will progress to Scale 9 (which in the year 2026 is €28,701.02 x €447.33 - €31,385.00) on completion of two (2) years service in the grade of Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) in Salary Scale 10.

2.7 A Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) in Scale 9 will be promoted to the grade of Senior Veterinary Technical Officer in Scale 8 (€30,405.02 x €486.83 - €33,326.00 in 2026) on completion of five (5) years service in the grade of Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) in Scale 9.

2.8 Appointees will be entitled to such other benefits and obligations as listed in any pertinent agreement between the Government of Malta and the competent union.

2.9 Selected candidates must be of conduct which is appropriate to the post applied for. Prior to appointment, selected candidates from outside the Public Service must produce a certificate of conduct issued by the Criminal Records Office or other competent authority not earlier than six (6) months from the closing date of this call for applications, which should be submitted by the selected candidate within one (1) week from the date of the notification of appointment.

2.10 In terms of the requirements emanating from Directive 16, regarding the 'Governing Framework for Preventing and Managing Conflicts of Interest in the Public Administration', issued by the Principal Permanent Secretary on 27th November, 2023,  and which came into force on 1st February, 2024, the selection board will assess candidates' previous employments to assess potential conflicts of interest. In this respect, candidates are to provide a completely updated CV, including qualifications and employment history with their application. Any potential conflict of interest matters noted will be reported to the respective Permanent Secretary, to ensure that should the candidate be recruited, such conflicts of interest would be appropriately managed.

​Moreover, selected candidates are to report any known actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest prior to accepting an appointment, through the prescribed declaration available at Appendix 1 to Directive 16 (available from (https://peopleandstandards.gov.mt/media/PDFs/DocsDirectives/Directives/Directive-16.pdf?v=2026102810)).

3. The job duties for the post of Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma)/Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree) include:

i. Carries out or assists authorised officials in carrying out official controls and technical activities within the remit of the Directorate for Veterinary services, in accordance with applicable legislation and established procedures;

ii. Assists in inspections and audits of veterinary establishments and premises handling veterinary medicinal products or medicated feed, checks records and compliance with licensing conditions, documents findings and refers deficiencies to the responsible officer;

iii. Assists in regulatory oversight activities, investigations and enforcement, including the collection of samples and evidence, the preparation of inspection reports and the follow-up of corrective actions under the direction of authorised officials;

iv. Provide technical support for the evaluation and processing of applications, notifications and documentation for licensing relating to veterinary medicinal products and veterinary establishments, and maintain the relevant registers and databases;

v. Analyse relevant legislation, technical guidelines and procedures, prepare technical summaries and reports, and assist in updating the Directorate's operational procedures and records;

vi. Assists in the implementation of workplace safety, and biosecurity procedures, including the safe handling, storage and disposal of samples, chemicals and biological materials, and reports hazards and equipment failures;

vii. Assists in the implementation of monitoring programmes and technical projects, including the collection and verification of data on veterinary medicinal products, the use of antimicrobials and other matters assigned within the remit of the Directorate;

​viii. Collect, verify and compile technical and statistical data, maintain accurate records and databases, and prepare periodic reports and information required from senior officials;

ix. Provides technical information to stakeholders within the limits of his/her term of office, assists in awareness activities about the responsible use of veterinary medicinal products, and attends relevant training, meetings and seminars in Ma lta and abroad;

x. Undertakes any other tasks, which the superior may delegate to him/her, as may be required;

xi. Undertakes any other duties which may be updated to meet the requirements of any other area as confirmed by the Permanent Secretary;

​xii. Performs any other duties as directed by the Principal Permanent Secretary.

4.1 By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be:

i. a. citizens of Malta; or

b. citizens of other Member States of the European Union who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters of employment by virtue of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or

c. citizens of any other country who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment by virtue of the application to that country of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or

​d. any other persons who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment in terms of the law or the abovementioned EU legislation and treaty provisions, on account of their family relationship with persons mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c); or

e. third country nationals who have been granted long-term resident status in Malta under regulation 4 of the 'Status of Long-term Residents (Third Country Nationals) Regulations, 2006' or who have been granted a residence permit under regulation 18(3) thereof, together with family members of such third country nationals who have been granted a residence permit under the 'Family Reunification Regulations, 2007'; or

f. in possession of a residence document issued in terms of the 'Residence Status of United Kingdom Nationals and their Family Members in Malta in accordance with the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community Regulations'.

The advice of the Citizenship Unit within Community Malta Agency and the Expatriates Unit within Identità should be sought as necessary in the interpretation of the above provisions.

The appointment of candidates referred to at (b), (c), (d) and (e) above would necessitate the issue of an employment licence in so far as this is required by the Immigration Act and subsidiary legislation. Jobsplus should be consulted as necessary on this issue.

In addition applicants must be:

ii. able to communicate in the Maltese and English languages in order to sufficiently and adequately carry out the duties applied for;

AND

(iii) a. in possession of a recognised Bachelor's qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, or equivalent*) in the Veterinary Technical Services or appropriate equivalent and relevant qualification;

*A recognised comparable Bachelor's qualification, as applicable, is only accepted subject to an MQRIC formal recognition statement being submitted with the application (subject to the provisions of clause 5.4 of the General Provisions document). A recognised Bachelor's qualification from the University of Malta (awarded pre-2009) with less than 180 ECTS credits is acceptable provided that it is verified by MQRIC or the University of Malta tha the workload is comparable to the minimum of 180ECTS credits.

OR

(iii) b. in possession of a recognised qualification at MQF Level 5 (subject to a minimum of 60 ECTS credits, or equivalent*) in the Veterinary Technical Services awarded by the University of Malta or another recognised institution or appropriate equivalent qualification.

*A recognised qualification comparable to 60 ECTS credits, as applicable, is only accepted subject to an MQRIC formal recognition statement being submitted with the application (subject to the provisions of clause 5.4 of the General Provisions document).

Successful candidates under paragraph 4.1 (iii) a will enter directly into the grade of Veterinary Technical Officer (Degree), whereas successful candidates under paragraph 4.1 (iii) b will enter into the grade of Veterinary Technical Officer (Diploma). Appointments on the basis of the final order of merit, will take place subject to availability of vacancies within the validity period of the result.

Short courses leading to awards, as distinct from qualifications, do not have the required number of ECTS credits at the respective MQF Level and, hence, will not be considered for eligibility purposes.

Public officers applying for this post must be confirmed in their current appointment, unless the current appointment is in a different class/career stream or in a definite position, but may apply for a lower grade/position even if not confirmed and whether in the same stream or not. Reversion to previous unconfirmed appointment is not possible.

4.2 i. Candidates who have not yet formally obtained or are not yet approved for the qualification specified in paragraph 4.1 or else as indicated in paragraph 3.1 of the general provisions (https://peopleandstandards.gov.mt/media/PDFs/Resourcing/GenProvs/GeneralProvisions_ENG.pdf) will still be considered provided that they submit evidence that they are in the final phase of their course leading to such qualification. Appointees must obtain, or be approved, for the award of such qualification. If this stipulated deadline for the attainment of such said minimum qualification is not met, the appointment will be, for this reason, revoked.

ii. Furthermore, candidates who are currently following a recognised programme of study at a higher MQF Level than that requested above will also be considered. Such candidates are to submit evidence that they have successfully completed the necessary ECTS credits, or equivalent, and attained the required MQF Level, by the closing time and date of the call for applications. Prospective applicants should note the requirement to produce MQRIC recognition statements in respect of their qualifications from MQRIC, or other designated authorities, as applicable, as per provisions applicable to this call for applications (see link below).

(https://peopleandstandards.gov.mt/media/PDFs/Resourcing/GenProvs/GeneralProvisions_ENG.pdf)

4.3 Public officers holding a grade in a particular stream, and who were granted Officer in Scale status by virtue of a Grievances Unit decision in the same scale as that of a higher grade in that stream, are eligible to apply for grades open to officers holding such higher grade within the stream that carries the same scale as that of the Officer in Scale status.

The years of service since the effective date of appointment as Officer in Scale are reckonable for the purpose of satisfying any requisite years of service stipulated in calls for applications.

Any other eligibility requisites for the post must be met in terms of this call for applications.

4.4 Public officers who currently hold an appointment as Officer in Grade are considered on a personal basis to pertain to the class/stream of their immediately previous substantive grade, and may apply on the basis of their current scale as Officer in Grade, which must be equivalent to, or higher than, the requisite eligibility level required by this call for applications.

The years of service since the effective date of appointment as Officer in Grade are reckonable for the purpose of satisfying any requisite years of 'service in the grade' as stipulated in calls for applications.

Any other eligibility requisites for the post/position must be met in terms of this call for applications.

5.1 Qualifications and experience claimed must be supported by certificates/transcripts and/or testimonials, copies of which are to be scanned and sent through the Recruitment Portal (https://recruitment.gov.mt).

5.2 Original certificates and/or testimonials are to be invariably produced for verification at the interview.

6.1 Eligible applicants will be assessed by a selection board to determine their suitability for the post. The maximum mark for this selection process is 100 % and the pass mark is 50%.

6.2 Due consideration will be given to applicants who, besides the requisites indicated in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.4, have proven relevant work experience.

7.1 Applications are to be submitted, for the attention of the Director Corporate Services, Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supply, through the online Government Recruitment Portal only (https://recruitment.gov.mt). Applications are to include a Curriculum Vitae, completely up-to-date (which should include a list of qualifications held by applicant and the employment history). The closing date of the receipt of applications is 5.15 p.m. (Central European Time) of Friday, 13th November, 2026. A computer-generated email will be sent as an acknowledgement of the application. Further details concerning the submission of applications are contained in the general provisions referred to below.

7.2 It is the responsibility of the applicants not to leave until the last moment for submission of their application.

7.3 Applications which are received after closing date and time (i.e. late applications) are not allowed.

7.4 Applicants are granted up to two (2) working days after closing date and time of this call for applications, to submit any incorrect or incomplete or missing documents.

8. Other general provisions concerning this call for applications, with particular reference to:

applicable benefits, conditions and rules/regulations;

lateral applications;

reasonable accommodation for registered persons with disability;

submission of recognition statements in respect of qualifications;

qualifications at a higher level;

comparative level of Public Sector employees;

renouncement of pending applications;

publication of the result;

medical examination;

the process for the submission of petitions concerning the result;

access to application forms and related details;

retention of documents,

may be accessed from (https://peopleandstandards.gov.mt/media/PDFs/Resourcing/GenProvs/GeneralProvisions_ENG.pdf) or may be obtained from the Corporate Services Directorate, Agriculture Research and Innovation Hub, Triq l-Ingiered, Ħal Luqa LQA 3300. These general provisions are to be regarded as an integral part of this call for applications.

The website address, and email address of the receiving Directorate are (http://agrikoltura.gov.mt) and (humanresources.maff@gov.mt).