All-round Animal Caretaker (Almere, 2,4 FTE / 24-40 hours per week)

AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection is a European animal welfare organization dedicated to the welfare of exotic animals. It is our mission to end their suffering by rescuing animals in need and advocate for better laws and regulations.

For AAP Almere we are looking for motivated, passionate animal caretakers for 24 to 40 hours per week who will be part of the All-round Caretaker Team (ACT) . You will be broadly trained for temporary replacement of colleague animal caretakers in all the different teams; Primates, Quarantine, Mammals, and Chimpanzee. ACT members replace colleagues during absences due to longer illnesses or other leave periods. The All-round Caretaker Team is supervised by the team leader of the Chimpanzee. If you are interested to be a part of this new initiative to tackle the structural need for these replacements in AAP's Rescue and Rehabilitation department and you like to become a dedicated generalist, we invite you to apply!

The teams are:
Chimpanzee team (around 9 paid staff), consists of two sections:
1. A permanent lifetime-care unit for former laboratory chimpanzees that are infected with HIV, SIV and Hepatitis C. These aging chimpanzees are not sick but potentially infectious and therefore require special care;
2. A chimpanzee resocialization unit, temporary intensive care where newly arrived chimpanzees ae rehabilitated and learn to live in a group again. When the chimpanzees live in stable social groups, they will be outplaced to other permanent facilities.

Primates team (around 12 paid staff)
The Primate Team is responsible for the daily care of our macaques, baboons, capuchins, vervets and other species. The Primate Team consists of 12 paid animal caretakers and a lot of volunteers and interns with different nationalities. 

Quarantine team (4 paid staff)
This role involves working with a wide range of species and ensuring that each animal receives the appropriate care and attention. Quarantine represents the first step in the rehabilitation process for all animals rescued by AAP, helping them transition safely toward recovery and a better future.

Mammals team (4 paid staff)
You will work with a diverse range of exotic mammal species, including rodents, small primates, marsupials, wild felids, and other carnivorous mammals. In this role, you will provide specialized care tailored to the unique needs of each species, ensuring their health and well-being.

What are you going to do?
• The nature of your role is to be broadly trained in the care for all different animal groups at AAP and perform animal care work across multiple teams, even within short periods.
• You are responsible for the daily care of our animals.
• Your job will largely include cleaning, feeding, observing, providing behavioral enrichment and assisting in the rehabilitation of the animals.
• You will be asked to guide and teach a number of volunteers and students.
• You monitor food and water intake and the general behavior and health of the animals.
• Administrative tasks are part of your daily routine.
• You carry out easy maintenance work according to agreements and instructions.
• You will work closely with other animal caretakers.
• You will work according to standard (safety) procedures, protocols and a hands-off policy.
• The Team Leader of the department will manage you.

What do we offer?
• An opportunity to develop yourself very broadly in the field of animal care.A position with social value and relevance within an international animal welfare organisation with animals and people at its heart.
• A challenging and dynamic job with a lot of responsibility and development opportunities.
• A professional work place that encourages and supports dedication, accessibility and vigorousness.
• An inspiring working environment situated in the green heart of Almere. Within easy reach of the cities Amsterdam and Utrecht.
• A contract for 24-40 hours per week for 12 months with the possibility for a permanent contract after 2 years (and after 2 contracts of 12 months).
• Your salary will be between € 2,536 and € 3,257 gross per month (based on 40 hours per week) dependent on relevant work experience, with room for growth within the function.
• 8% Holiday allowance on the gross annual salary and a personal benefits budget of 2,75% of your gross salary.
• 24 vacation days per year on a full time basis.
• A good and sustainable pension arrangement.

What do you bring
• Affinity with the goals of AAP.
• An accredited animal care or animal related qualification (education level EQF3 or higher) is required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in working with any of our animal groups in captivity is needed.
• An Article 12 or 13 Certificate (Law concerning Animal Experimentation in the Netherlands), which allows you to work with laboratory animals, is highly appreciated for the work with the ex-lab chimpanzees.
• Good physical condition and ability to work under stress.
• A pro-active and flexible mindset and good social/communication skills which allow you to work in different teams (adapting to team ethics, protocols, procedures) and connect with a variety of colleagues quickly.
• You are not afraid of change, an eager and quick learner and are able to adapt to different ways of working and find solutions both independently and in good cooperation.
• Prepared to contribute to the development of this (pilot) initiative.
• Competent in English, both oral and written (English Common European Framework level B1).
• Prepared to work on weekend days and public holidays.
• Capable of working with relevant computer software (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc).
• Competencies for this job: Flexibility, accuracy, collaboration and planning and organisation.

For more information or to apply directly
Enthusiastic, but still have some questions? Please call Pieter Levelink, Team Leader Chimpanzee Complex and supervisor of ACT on +31 (0)36 523 87 87. Please apply by using the application button before 12 January 2026.

A practical assignment can be part of the application process.

Please note that only people with the right to work within Europe will be considered for this application. In addition, the current housing shortage in The Netherlands, requires candidates to be able to provide a residential address where they are or can be officially registered to obtain a BSN number. AAP will not be able to facilitate housing for staff.

Why Stichting AAP?
AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection) is a European animal welfare organisation dedicated to the welfare of exotic animals. It is our mission to end their suffering by rescuing animals in need and advocate for better laws and regulations. 

AAP operates two rescue and rehabilitation facilities, one in Almere (the Netherlands) and one in Villena (Spain). We rescue animals from illegal trade, circuses or private owners and help them recover both mentally and physically. When they are rehabilitated and ready to move on, we find a good place for them with one of our outplacement partners, such as a sanctuary or suitable zoo.   

In Almere we have about 100 employees and more than 200 volunteers. We work in a spacious and modern location, in the middle of the green heart of Almere. Our office and facility centre are located on the same grounds as our rescued animals. Nowhere else can you see the result of your work so directly! 

In Villena we have 24 employees and 16 volunteers. Our office and facility centre are located on the same grounds as our rescued animals. Nowhere else can you see the result of your work so directly! 

Check out our website www.aap.eu and follow our stories on social media!