Open To Work
Jacob Njama Mokiwa
Dar Es Salaam
Work Preference
Summary
Multidisciplinary legal and governance professional with 18 years of progressive responsibility across government, international organizations, NGOs and the private sector. Proven ability to lead complex reform initiatives, manage multistakeholder processes, advise senior decision-makers and translate policy into implementable institutional outcomes. Demonstrated track record in strategic leadership, programme governance, regulatory reform, ESG and sustainability advisory and capacity development, particularly within environment, climate change, biodiversity, animal health and public sector systems. Recognized for bridging law, policy and management, aligning national frameworks with international standards and delivering results in politically and technically complex environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
National Legal Specialist (Consultant - Home-based
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
12.2024 - Current
- Lead national-level legal reform support on animal health and veterinary services, advising FAO and Government counterparts on strategic legislative alignment with international standards.
- Provide senior-level legal and governance advice to support disease prevention, institutional coordination and sustainable sector governance.
- Coordinate inputs from multiple stakeholders, ensuring coherence between technical, legal and policy dimensions.
Researcher, Consultant and Trainer
Governance and Economic Policy Centre
Dar es Salaam
04.2024 - Current
- Lead applied research and policy analysis informing national governance and regulatory reforms.
- Support senior policymakers with evidence-based advisory services on climate justice, extractives governance and sustainable development.
- Deliver targeted training for public officials and practitioners.
Governance Consultant - Environment, Biodiversity and Climate
Baobab Carbon Africa Co. Ltd
Dar es Salaam
09.2024 - Current
- Advise senior management and clients on strategic integration of biodiversity, climate and ESG considerations into business models and operations.
- Design and deliver executive and technical capacity-building programmes for public and private sector leaders.
- Support organizational alignment with global biodiversity frameworks and national policy priorities.
Commission Member (Volunteer)
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - World Commission of Environmental Law
12.2023 - Current
- Provide strategic legal and policy advice to international expert bodies on environmental law effectiveness.
- Contribute to global thought leadership on legal indicators, enforcement and governance innovation.
Advisor (Environmental Management & Biodiversity Conservation)
Independent
Dar es Salaam
05.2022 - Current
- Advise public and private institutions on governance system design, compliance frameworks and institutional strengthening.
- Support leadership teams in translating biodiversity commitments into operational policies and instruments.
Mentor (Volunteer)
Restoration Factory Business Incubation Program (UNEP & IUCN)
08.2024 - 04.2025
- Mentored emerging entrepreneurs, providing strategic guidance, governance advice and leadership coaching to develop scalable, climate-resilient enterprises.
- Supported business leaders in embedding inclusive governance and sustainability principles into enterprise growth strategies.
Advisor
Tanzania Community Forest Conservation Network
Dar es Salaam
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Led advisory efforts to improve the legal empowerment and governance capacity of village forest institutions in community-based forest management.
Advisor
Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania
Dar es Salaam
06.2020 - 12.2021
- Provided technical support on legal compliance, governance frameworks and strategic planning in biodiversity and climate-focused programmes.
Contract Compliance and Enforcement Officer
Medical Stores Department (MSD)
Dar es Salaam
11.2017 - 05.2020
- Managed contract administration and compliance functions within a complex public procurement environment.
- Contributed to organizational risk management, governance controls and PPP implementation.
- Supported senior management in strengthening legal and compliance systems.
- Enforced compliance with regulatory standards for pharmaceutical distribution and storage.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements in enforcement procedures.
- Developed training programs for staff on compliance regulations and best practices in enforcement.
- Analyzed enforcement data to identify trends and recommend actionable strategies for improvement.
- Led investigations into violations, preparing comprehensive reports for regulatory bodies.
- Coordinated with law enforcement agencies to ensure the integrity of medical supply chains.
Legal Officer (Public Sector Roles)
Vice President's Office (Environment Division); Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism
01.2008 - 12.2016
- Provided legal and policy leadership across environment, forestry, wildlife and climate portfolios.
- Represented Tanzania in international negotiations and technical forums.
- Supported cross-ministerial coordination and institutional reform initiatives.
- Drafted legal opinions on environmental regulations and policies to support compliance initiatives.
- Conducted thorough research on forestry laws to inform legislative proposals and government strategies.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to develop sustainable resource management frameworks for forest conservation.
- Reviewed and analyzed contracts related to environmental projects ensuring legal compliance and risk mitigation.
- Advised senior management on legal implications of policy decisions impacting natural resources and tourism sectors.
- Facilitated inter-agency discussions aimed at harmonizing environmental laws across various governmental bodies.
- Led training sessions for staff on environmental legislation, enhancing understanding of regulatory requirements.
- Developed strategic plans for legal enforcement of wildlife protection laws, fostering biodiversity conservation efforts.
- Provided legal support in the development and execution of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and other collaborative arrangements.
- Conducted comprehensive research to support legal proceedings, formulate defenses and initiate legal action.
- Drafted and reviewed a wide range of legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Streamlined contract review process, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced turnaround time.
- Reviewed legal publications and performed database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
- Assisted in the development of corporate policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and best practices.
- Kept up with and reviewed changes in laws, informed staff of changes and advised appropriate departments on actions to prevent legal issues.
- Advised executive leadership on regulatory changes impacting business operations, enabling proactive adjustments to maintain compliance.
- Composed correspondence and relevant memoranda and accurately transcribed dictation.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive solutions for complex legal issues.
Education
Masters' Degree of Laws (LLM) - International Trade and Investment Law
University of Pretoria
07.2007 - 05.2008
Postgraduate Diploma - Management
Tumaini University, Iringa University College
10.2006 - 07.2007
Bachelors' Degree of Laws (LLB) -
Tumaini University, Iringa University College
10.2003 - 07.2006
Skills
- Organizational and Managerial Skills
- Critical Thinking and Analytical skills
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Positive Attitude and Problem-Solving Skills
- Result-driven and Initiative Taking Approach Skills
Other Information
2011-12-15 - Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and Subordinate Courts thereto (Roll No. 2452)
Meetings Workshops Trainings
- 2023 - Mastering the Art of Consulting and Proposal Writing Course, CREMES International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- 2020 - Public-Private Partnership Modal Agreements Workshop, World Bank (Tanzania PPP Support Programme), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- 2020 - ESCAP E-Learning Series on Public-Private Partnerships, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific, Online
- 2019 - Negotiation and Procurement Contract Management Training, Procurement and Supplies Professional and Technicians Board (PSPTB), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- 2019 - Consultative Workshop on 2019 Guidance on PPP Contractual Provisions, World Bank (Tanzania PPP Support Programme), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- 2017 - Africa-Asia Inter-Regional Expert Review Meeting on Compilation of Good Practices on Enforcement of Environmental Law, UNEP & Environmental and Resources Law Research Centre of the China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China
- 2016 - African Biosafety Capacity Building Course, Pretoria, South Africa
- 2016 - 5th East Africa Oil and Gas Summit, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- 2015 - 2nd Africa - Asia Expert Meeting on Enforcement of Environmental Law Inter-Regional Technical Cooperation, UNEP & China - Asean Environmental Cooperation Centre (CAEC), Kunming, China
- 2015 - UNEP Global Training Programme on Environmental Law, Nairobi, Kenya
- 2013 - Basic Petroleum Value Chain Training, Ministry of Energy and Minerals and Oil for Development (Institutional Cooperation Programme - Tanzania and Norway), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Selected Projects
- 2018-2020: Team Member of the Project Management Team - Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant (PPP Project), Medical Stores Department (MSD), Tanzania, Served as Legal Expert supporting the establishment of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework., Provided legal and regulatory guidance on contract structuring, compliance, and institutional arrangements to ensure alignment with national PPP laws, procurement standards and international best practices.
- 2017-2020: Team Member, Technical Working Group - Sustainable Health in Procurement Project (SHiPP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - Tanzania / Funded by SIDA, Contributed and supporting the SHiPP initiative aimed at reducing environmental and health risks associated with the manufacture, use, and disposal of medical products., Provided legal and policy inputs to enhance environmental compliance, sustainable procurement practices and institutional capacity development within the national health system.
- 2014: Legal Expert - Petroleum Legal Reform Project, Vice President's Office (Environment Division), United Republic of Tanzania, Contributed the provision of legal inputs in reviewing Tanzania's Petroleum Bill, ensuring the incorporation of environmental safeguards and biodiversity protection measures., Supported the alignment of national petroleum legislation with international environmental standards and best practices.
- 2012: Task Force Member - Forest Connectivity Project, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania, Served as a task force member supporting the conservation of the Magombera Forest and the broader Eastern Arc Mountain ecosystem., Contributed to developing legal and policy recommendations to enhance forest connectivity and strengthen the protection of key biodiversity corridors.
Contact
Mobile: +255 764 822 800; Email: jmokiwa8@gmail.com, jacob_mokiwa@yahoo.com
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Swahili
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Timeline
National Legal Specialist (Consultant - Home-based
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
12.2024 - Current
Governance Consultant - Environment, Biodiversity and Climate
Baobab Carbon Africa Co. Ltd
09.2024 - Current
Mentor (Volunteer)
Restoration Factory Business Incubation Program (UNEP & IUCN)
08.2024 - 04.2025
Researcher, Consultant and Trainer
Governance and Economic Policy Centre
04.2024 - Current
Commission Member (Volunteer)
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - World Commission of Environmental Law
12.2023 - Current
Advisor (Environmental Management & Biodiversity Conservation)
Independent
05.2022 - Current
Advisor
Tanzania Community Forest Conservation Network
01.2022 - 06.2022
Advisor
Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania
06.2020 - 12.2021
Contract Compliance and Enforcement Officer
Medical Stores Department (MSD)
11.2017 - 05.2020
Legal Officer (Public Sector Roles)
Vice President's Office (Environment Division); Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism
01.2008 - 12.2016
Masters' Degree of Laws (LLM) - International Trade and Investment Law
University of Pretoria
07.2007 - 05.2008
Postgraduate Diploma - Management
Tumaini University, Iringa University College
10.2006 - 07.2007
Bachelors' Degree of Laws (LLB) -
Tumaini University, Iringa University College
10.2003 - 07.2006