Governance Officer at Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania – September 2026

Job Overview

Organization: Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania (JGI Tanzania)
Job Position: Governance Officer
Program: Community Centred Conservation Project in Western Tanzania
Duty Station: Kigoma, Tanzania
Reporting To: Data Science and Knowledge Management Lead
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.

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 is currently seeking a suitably qualified and competent Tanzanian to fill the position of Governance Officer under the Community Centred Conservation Project in Western Tanzania.

Job Summary

The Governance Officer will provide technical support to strengthen natural resource governance systems and institutions at community and local government levels.

The position will coordinate and facilitate interventions aimed at promoting transparent, accountable, participatory, inclusive, and effective governance of forests, land, wildlife, and other natural resources within the project areas.

The Officer will strengthen the capacity of village councils, Village Natural Resources Committees (VNRCs), Village Forest Monitors (VFMs), ward authorities, and other relevant stakeholders on natural resource governance, policies, laws, regulations, accountability, and community rights.

The position will also support participatory conflict prevention and resolution, grievance mechanisms, equitable benefit sharing, and meaningful participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in natural resource decision-making.

The Officer will work closely with communities, local government authorities, conservation partners, and project teams to improve institutional performance, compliance, accountability, and community ownership of sustainable natural resource management initiatives.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The Governance Officer will:

• Coordinate natural resource governance activities at community, village, ward, and district levels to strengthen sustainable and accountable management of forests, wildlife, land, and other natural resources.
• Strengthen community-based natural resource governance institutions, including Village Councils (VCs), Village Natural Resource Committees (VNRCs), Village Forest Monitors (VFMs), village governments, and other relevant community structures.
• Facilitate capacity building for Village Council members, VNRCs, VFMs, and other stakeholders on natural resource governance, roles and responsibilities, relevant policies, laws, regulations, and accountability mechanisms.
• Promote the use of scorecards to track performance, measure progress, and improve accountability by turning data into clear metrics.
• Promote transparency and accountability in the access, management, and utilization of natural resources, including community natural resource revenues, benefits, conservation financing, and other project-supported resources.
• Facilitate governance dialogue and stakeholder engagement among communities, local government authorities, traditional and community leaders, conservation actors, and other relevant stakeholders to address natural resource management challenges and conflicts.
• Support the development, strengthening, and implementation of community governance systems, bylaws, regulations, management plans, and institutional procedures for sustainable natural resource management.
• Monitor governance performance of community natural resource management institutions and identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for strengthening institutional effectiveness and accountability.
• Promote equitable benefit sharing from natural resources and conservation initiatives, ensuring that benefits and opportunities are accessible to communities and fairly distributed among different social groups.
• Support conflict prevention and resolution related to land, forests, wildlife, natural resource access, resource use, and implementation of conservation activities.
• Strengthen community awareness of land and natural resource rights, responsibilities, relevant laws, regulations, and mechanisms for reporting violations or grievances.
• Establish and strengthen grievance and feedback mechanisms that enable community members and other stakeholders to safely raise concerns, provide feedback, and seek resolution of project or natural resource management-related grievances.
• Promote gender-responsive and socially inclusive governance, ensuring equitable representation and participation of women, youth, marginalized groups, and other vulnerable groups in natural resource decision-making.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and relevant authorities to strengthen community awareness, reporting, and compliance with natural resource management laws and regulations, while maintaining appropriate institutional roles and responsibilities.
• Document governance lessons, good practices, challenges, and success stories and facilitate learning among communities, government authorities, and project stakeholders.
• Prepare annual and quarterly workplans, budgets, progress reports, and other governance-related documentation in accordance with project requirements and organizational policies.
• Perform any other relevant duties as may be assigned or delegated by project management.

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Governance, Development Studies, Project Management, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.
• At least five (5) years of working experience in the same or related field.
• Previous knowledge and experience working with conservation and sustainable natural resource management projects is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working in rural and remote areas of Tanzania with local government authorities, VNRCs, Village Forest Monitors, and community development projects.
• Strong understanding of natural resource governance, community-based conservation, environmental policies, laws, regulations, and institutional frameworks in Tanzania.
• Practical knowledge of proposal writing and research methodologies and engagement.
• A track record of successfully applying and instituting scorecards, Results-Based Management (RBM), and good governance approaches to ensure effective implementation of complex donor-funded projects in developing countries.
• Computer literacy and ability to use data analysis programs such as SPSS, as well as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related applications.
• Ability to use digital or mobile data collection devices and tools such as Survey123.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Self-motivation and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong reporting and presentation skills.
• Good communication skills, with fluency in both spoken and written Swahili and English.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, including institutional staff, 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 contacted for interviews 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.