Agriculture Officer at Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania – September 2026

Job Overview

Organization: Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania (JGI Tanzania)
Job Position: Agriculture Officer
Program: Community Centred Conservation Project in Western Tanzania
Duty Station: Kigoma, Tanzania
Reporting To: Project Manager
Application Deadline: Tuesday, September 22, 2026, before 5:00 PM

About the Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall by conserving chimpanzees and inspiring communities to conserve the natural world we all share. JGI believes that everything is connected and everyone can make a difference.

The Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania is a reputable and rapidly expanding non-governmental organization committed to wildlife research, conservation, socio-economic development, and environmental education. JGI Tanzania was founded in 2001 by the late Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE.

Together with its partners, JGI Tanzania works with local communities through community-centred conservation, chimpanzee research projects, youth environmental education, and the innovative use of science and technology.

JGI Tanzania, with funding from various donors to support conservation projects and related initiatives, is seeking a suitably qualified and competent Tanzanian to fill the position of Agriculture Officer.

Job Summary

Agriculture is a leading driver of habitat loss and degradation in chimpanzee landscapes, particularly where low productivity, shifting cultivation, and farm expansion increase pressure on remaining chimpanzee habitat.

The Agriculture Officer will help address this challenge by providing practical agricultural services, technical advice, and extension support to farmers to increase productivity and resilience within existing areas allocated for agriculture according to approved land use plans. The aim is to reduce the need to clear forests or expand farms into chimpanzee habitat.

The position will promote climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and sustainable agricultural practices that improve yields, soil health, water management, climate resilience, and livelihoods while reducing pressure on natural ecosystems.

This will include improving crop production, soil fertility, integrated pest and disease management, farm diversification, agroforestry, post-harvest management, and connecting farmers to markets with better prices.

The Agriculture Officer will work closely with farmers, village governments, extension providers, and conservation teams to demonstrate and support locally appropriate agricultural practices.

The overall purpose is to decouple increased agricultural production from expansion of cultivated land, enabling farmers to produce more sustainably from existing agricultural areas while contributing to the protection and connectivity of chimpanzee habitat.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The Agriculture Officer will:

• Review research and literature relating to current best practices in agriculture and agronomy.
• Introduce and mobilize farmers, through local government leaders, to adopt improved agricultural methods, including conservation farming and agroforestry, that encourage sustainable agriculture.
• Consult with farmers on cropping practices to increase their economic returns from a range of agricultural products.
• Work with private sector partners through out-grower schemes to improve agricultural opportunities for farmers.
• Consult with farmers and regulators on practices that promote more sustainable agricultural land use.
• Establish and monitor demonstration sites to provide evidence of the effectiveness of promoted agricultural systems and practices.
• Conduct farmer training based on identified agricultural needs.
• Evaluate crop performance in relation to weather, pests, and management practices and, where necessary, provide evidence for insurance purposes.
• Work closely with the Program Forestry Officer and Land Use Planning Officer to design and implement strategies for sustainable agricultural land management.
• Prepare and submit activity reports in a timely manner.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor or Management.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• At least five (5) years of working experience providing technical support to large agricultural programs.
• Experience working in rural and remote areas of Tanzania implementing agricultural support programs.
• Experience supporting farmers to implement climate-smart agricultural practices, including farming-as-a-business models.
• Experience supporting equitable relationships between the private sector, agricultural actors, and subsistence farmers.
• A track record of successful work on complex donor-funded projects in a rural context.
• Previous knowledge and experience supporting conservation and sustainable natural resource management projects is desirable.
• Computer literacy and ability to use data analysis programs such as SPSS, as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related applications.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.
• Self-motivation and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong reporting and presentation skills.
• Ability to spend extended periods working in rural settings.
• Good communication skills, with fluency in both spoken and written Swahili and English.
• Ability to work with a wide range of people within the institution, local communities, local and international partners, and both technical and non-technical colleagues.

Application Procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications together with:

• Most recent Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume.
• Copies of relevant academic certificates and transcripts.
• Testimonials.
• Names of three reputable referees.
• Daytime telephone number and/or email address.

Applications should be sent to:

Email: recruitment@janegoodall.or.tz

Application Deadline

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, before 5:00 PM

Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and provided with interview feedback.

Equal Opportunity Statement

JGI Tanzania is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, national or tribal origin, religious belief, gender, or marital status.

Qualified female applicants and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.