Job Description
Agriculture Officer
About Us
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, we improve the lives of people, animals, and the environment. We strongly believe 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. The Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania was founded in 2001 by the late Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE. The JGI Tanzania with its partners makes a difference through community centered conservation, chimpanzees research projects, youths’ environmental education, the innovative use of science and technology, we work closely with local communities in Tanzania, inspiring hope through a collective power of individual action.
The Jane Goodall Institute Tanzania with funding from our various donors to support implementation of conservation project and beyond, is currently seeking to recruit a suitably qualified and competent Tanzanian to fill the following vacant position:
Job position: Agriculture Officer
Program: Community Centred Conservation Project in Western Tanzania
Duty Station: Kigoma
Reporting Line: Project Manager
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 Agronomist 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, reducing 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, and post-harvest management and connecting farmers to markets with better prices. The Agronomist will work closely with farmers, village governments, extension providers, and conservation teams to demonstrate and support locally appropriate 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 & Duties
Main technical responsibilities will include, but not limited to:
- Review research and literature relating to current best practices in the field
- Introduce and mobilize farmers through their local government leaders to adapt improved agricultural methods (including conservation farming and agroforestry) that encourage sustainable agriculture.
- Consult with farmers on cropping practices to increase their economic return from a range of products and in collaboration with private sector partners, through “out-grower schemes.”
- Consult with farmers and regulators on practices that will lead to more sustainable agricultural land use.
- Set up and monitor demonstration sites to provide hard evidence for the success of the systems we are promoting.
- Conduct training for farmers as per above needs.
- Evaluate crop performance as affected by weather, pests, and management practices, and on occasion give evidence for insurance purposes.
- Work closely with Program Forestry Officer and Land Use Planning Officer in designing and implementing strategies for managing agricultural land sustainably.
- Prepare and submit activity reports in a timely manner
- And any other job as may be assigned to you your supervisor or Management.
Minimum Job Qualifications and Other Requirements
Main minimum job qualifications and other requirements will include, but are not limited to:
- Hold of a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, or related field from recognized institution.
- At least 5 years working experience providing technical support to large agricultural programs.
- Experience working in rural and remote areas of Tanzania implementing agricultural support programs.
- Experience in supporting farmers to implement climate-smart agricultural practices including farming as a business models.
- Experience supporting equitable relationships between private sector, agriculture actors and subsistence farmers.
- A track record of successful work on complex donor funded projects in a rural context.
- Previous knowledge and experience in working to support conservation and sustainable natural resources management projects is desirable.
- Computer literate and ability to use data analysis programs (SPSS), word, Xcel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc.
- Ability to work under pressure, tight deadlines and less supervision, self-motivated person, team player, reporting and presentation skills. Ability to spend extended work time in rural settings.
- Good Communication skills – fluent in Swahili and English, both verbal and written. This position involves working with a wide range of people within the institution, local communities, local and international partners, including technical and non-technical colleagues.
Application Procedure
All applications should be submitted together with the most recent Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume, copy of relevant academic certificates & transcripts, testimonials, three names of reputable referees, day-time telephone number or e-mail address, and should be send to the following e-mail address:
Only the final shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and provided with the interview feedback.
Deadline: Tuesday, 22nd September 2026 before 5pm in the evening.
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, and marital status.
QUALIFIED FEMALE APPLICANTS & PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
