WSAVA is establishing a Standards Steering Committee (SSC) to oversee the development and launch of WSAVA’s Essential Standards for Companion Animal Veterinary Practices (ESCAVP). WSAVA are now looking to recruit up to seven (7) members to comprise its founding committee members.
Description of the committee’s work and goal
The SSC will oversee the development and launch of WSAVA’s ESCAVP.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Consider key strategic partner organizations that may assist with the development and launch of the ESCAVP.
- Develop a pragmatic project plan that outlines the key phases of ESCAVP’s development: Initiation, Planning & Research, Write-up, Review & Approval, Launch, Implementation, etcetera.
- Research and consider the fields that are relevant to modern day companion animal veterinary practices and agree which should be featured in ESCAVP.
- Research and agree on a standardized format for how the ESCAVP should be written and presented.
- Research and write the various standard documents / frameworks for each of the agreed fields that should feature in the ESCAVP.
- Ensure that the ESCAVP is developed in a way that enables companion animal veterinary practices to benchmark their current ways of working, identify areas for improvement, and know where they may go for further support.
Detailed description of the desired candidates
- Membership of the committee will be discipline-based to cover the breadth of activities falling within companion animal veterinary practice (both clinical and non-clinical) – examples of disciplines are provided in the appendix which is part of the committee ToR.
- Due to the focus of this committee being primarily first opinion veterinary practice, preference will be given to those with strong and demonstrable experience within that environment, including veterinary practitioners and practice management. Preference will be given to those who are able to represent a variety of fields in the appendix and particularly those with experience in veterinary practice accreditation.
- Consideration will be given to ensure that the committee is representative of the various world regions.
Responsibilities of committee members
- Contribute actively to SSC discussions and initiatives and show evidence of ongoing engagement with committee functions.
- Attend and participate in face to face and virtual meetings.
- Respond to electronic communications in a timely manner.
- Communicate as a speaker/presenter of SSC sanctioned information as needed. This may include presentations at WSAVA Congresses and other regional meetings.
- Attend in-person SSC committee meetings as required.
- Adhere to the WSAVA values and Code of Conduct.
- Full committee Terms of Reference are available here
Remuneration of this role
All WSAVA committee members including the chairperson are volunteers. However, reasonable expenses occurred whilst carrying out WSAVA duties will be reimbursed, in accordance with our travel and expenses policy.
Time commitment & Tenure
Member tenure of committees shall be 3 years with the ability to renew once for another 3-year term (maximum of 6 years). Renewal of membership tenure is to be automatic after authorisation by the rest of the committee (via a secret ballot), or unless the member elects to step down.
Inaugural committee members will have staggered terms. For example, some will serve an initial term of one year, two years or three years, with the ability to renew for a complete 3-year term.
It is expected that members are available for 1-2 hours once a month for virtual meetings, and that they will be able to allocate time for research of the subject matter at their discretion.
Applicant must provide the full documentation required below, in English, via this dedicated application link:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Intent
- Declaration of any Conflicts of Interest
- Letter of Support from WSAVA Member Association*
Applications should be submitted before July 3, 2024
*All nominees for membership of any WSAVA committee/group are required to provide a letter of Good Standing from the WSAVA member organisation of which they are a member. This requirement does not apply to nominees who are not members of a WSAVA organisation (e.g. non-veterinarians) whose expertise may be necessary for specialist committees/groups. A person of Good Standing is defined as someone who has complied with all explicit obligations of the association and who is not subject to any form of sanction, suspension or disciplinary censure. This letter is not a recommendation from the association that the nominee is the best person for the position. WSAVA committee positions are not chosen by member organisations – the Committee Chair ultimately decides on the best candidate for the position and the choice is ratified by the Leadership and Nominations Committee and the Executive Board. This letter indicates only that the WSAVA member association has no objection to the nomination.