General Manager of the National Abattoir

Job Description

Lead the transformation of Dominica’s National Abattoir as General Manager, overseeing operations, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement while strengthening local meat production, supporting farmers, and ensuring safe, high-quality processing aligned with national agricultural development goals.

Background

Dominica's National Abattoir, located in Layou Valley, is undergoing a significant $5.7 million government-funded reconstruction after Hurricane Maria damage, aiming to be operational by early 2026 to modernise meat processing, boost local poultry/pork production, improve hygiene to global standards, and reduce food import reliance. The upgraded facility, expected to process 1,000 birds/hour and 50 pigs/day, supports local farmers and enhances national food security.

The National Abattoir of Dominica has been a cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural infrastructure, focusing on poultry and pork processing to enhance food security and reduce import dependence. Established in 2012, the facility has undergone significant developments, including reconstruction efforts following natural disasters, to bolster local meat production.

The revitalization of the National Abattoir reflects Dominica’s drive to enhance agriculture, protect food supply, and support economic strength. By investing in such critical facilities, the government demonstrates its dedication to empowering local farmers, improving the quality of locally produced meats, and promoting sustainable development within the agricultural sector, eat production and ensure the availability of high-quality, locally processed meats

General Accountabilities

The General Manager of the National Abattoir shall be accountable and report to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy. The General Manager shall have the overall responsibility to oversee the sustainable operation of the National Abattoir fostering economic prosperity and livelihood optimization. The General Manager shall specifically be responsible to ensure that consumers receive high quality wholesome meat in accordance with the Food Safety Act 2026 of Dominica and other Regional and International Standards.

Responsibility

Under the supervision of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy and in coordination with key technical staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue & Green Economy, the General Manager of the National Abattoir will be responsible for:

• Overseeing all daily operations of the facility, including staff management, ensuring regulatory compliance (food safety, health and safety, animal welfare), optimizing production efficiency, and liaising with veterinary inspectors and other external bodies for the effective functioning of the National Abattoir.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with key supervisory staff to develop a detailed implementation strategy for the National Abattoir.
• Ensure the development of annual work plans and related budgets.
• Ensure that all activities are geared towards reaching the annual objectives and targets set within the implementation strategy including the sustainability of interventions.
• Ensure that financial information is provided in a timely manner to allow for consolidation of financial information feeding into monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual financial reports of the Ministry.
• Ensure that budgets are current, activities are being implemented in a timely manner, and provide explanations for any significant variances between forecasts and actual expenditures.
• Prepare timely, high quality narrative reports monthly, semi-annually and annually covering activities of the National Abattoir.
• Ensure key stakeholders including relevant Government departments, private sector, community-based organizations and the farming community are continuously engaged to develop strong relationships.
• Maintain ongoing and regular communication with Senior Management at the Ministry including the Director of Agriculture and Technical Officers.
• Supervise office staff, and take responsibility for the implementation of the activities in accordance with approved Annual Work Plans and Implementation plans for the National Abattoir.
• Support the establishment and strengthening of linkages between buyers, livestock farmers, appropriate government institutions and other key stakeholders to ensure a supportive environment for the success of the National Abattoir.
• Keep abreast of Government investments and strategies at the national level and pursue potential links with complementary programs in the agriculture sector.
• Support and implement capacity building and training activities for staff and livestock farmers as necessary.
• Any other duties as may be required including representational duties as assigned and participating in relevant meetings as necessary.

Experience and Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Agriculture, Economics, Finance, Marketing or other related fields (food technology). A postgraduate degree in the above-related fields would be advantageous (MSc).
• At least 5 years of work experience in management, including at least 3 years in a senior management position (including managing personnel).
• Preference will be given to those with experience in agribusiness, slaughterhouse management and agricultural produce marketing.

The abilities below highlight the practical judgment, organisation, communication, and teamwork required to perform the role effectively:

General Work Conduct

• Operates within required workplace policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Sound judgment and the ability to work with minimal direction.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work under pressure.
• Creative and pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
• Well-organized and strong attention to detail.
• Complete fluency in written and spoken English

Managing Work

• Plans and prioritizes assigned tasks and manages time for effective delivery.
• Seeks assistance and mobilizes additional resources when necessary.
• Identifies problems and takes steps to address them.
• Produces quality work in accordance with agreed standard.
• Manages work plans and budgets efficiently and accurately.

Teamwork

• Cooperates and consults with others to meet organization’s goals.
• Participates in group work and team building activities.
• Encourages resolution of conflict within organizational structure.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Customer Service

• Gives complete and accurate information to the public and other employees.
• Consults with the public and other personnel as appropriate.

Professionalism

• Maintains confidentiality of information received in line with operating directives.
• Demonstrates integrity in all interactions with colleagues and the public at all times.
• Ensures that all work assignments are free from attracting conflict of interest allegations.
• Maintains physical security of organization’s records and information used in executing duties.
• Complies with Ministry’s requirements relating to the use of Government resources made available as part of working environment.

Management Effectiveness

• Operates within approved budgetary and financial limits.
• Delegates organizational tasks and monitors the delivery of the approves work plan.
• Promptly communicates policies and procedures and disseminates relevant information to staff.
• Skills in communicating persuasively with diverse audiences, ranging from policymakers and corporate managers to grass roots community residents.
• Practical knowledge of results-based management systems (RBM).

Leadership

• Works closely with management team.
• Develops and communicated relevant policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates sound judgement in dealing with routine and complex issues.
• Proven leadership, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build supervise and motivate a team.

Benefits and Others

The individual will be required to work in office at the National Abattoir located in Layou and out of office (on the field)

Expressions of interest must be submitted by April 30, 2026, at 4.00 p.m. Eastern Caribbean time in a written form (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) to the following addresses:

Attn: Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Blue and Green Economy
2nd Floor Government Headquarters Kennedy Avenue,
Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica,
Tel: +1(767) 266-3282,
Email: psagriculture@dominica.gov.dm, pssecagriculture@dominica.gov.dm
website: www.dominica.gov.dm