Jema Jacob Ngwale
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with a strong focus on innovative thinking and strategic planning. Demonstrates exceptional skills in business management, partnership management, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven track record in achieving results through effective leadership and team management. Committed to enabling diversity and inclusion while continuously learning to enhance cross-functional and technical competence. Adept at policy and political economy analysis, business development, and financial analysis, aiming to drive impactful business direction and strategy.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
2009
2009
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Team Leader/Senior Advisor: Agriculture, Climate and Jobs Creation
Embassy of Denmark/DANIDA
2024.08 - 2025.07
- Lead on and contribute to policy briefings and other advisory reports on Agriculture, climate and investments
- Collaborate with the Senior Management and other staff to identify challenges, opportunities and solutions related to Agriculture and climate adaptation, define and implement appropriate strategies to address them
- Lead high-level policy dialogues with ministries (Agriculture, Environment, Livestock, Fisheries, etc.) and stakeholders to improve institutional frameworks in climate adaptation and natural resource management.
- Develop strong working relationships with Government, Development Partners, Private sector and Civil Society Organisations through both formal and informal channels and maintain relations
- Develop strong working relations with the leadership of other development programmes and exploit complementary and synergies where possible
- Oversee a $60m programme on locally led climate action, ensuring the integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) across agriculture, energy, and natural resources sectors.
- Provide strategic support to Danish investors on Tanzania’s regulatory environment, and identifying opportunities for trade and development.
- Lead preparation and timely submission of comprehensive technical and financial reports in line with contractual agreements
- Manage strategic initiatives in climate finance and adaptation, supporting private sector efficiency and governance improvements.
- Lead the delivery of primary and secondary consultancies required for successful completion of programmes and projects, workplans and working with consultants as required
Team Leader: Business Sector Development
Embassy of Denmark/DANIDA
2014.09 - 2024.07
- Provide guidance, oversight and quality assurance for all project activities, outputs and deliverables. Assume overall responsibility for effective implementation of workplans to ensure delivery is on time, within budget, meet funders expectations and is contractually compliant
- Managed the $250m Business Sector Programme focusing on agriculture market development, financial inclusion, and business environment improvements.
- Led negotiations with investors, including a $450M lease company for agri-equipment financing, enhancing access to finance in Tanzania’s agriculture sector.
- Coordinated the development of local investment plans and capacity-building initiatives for 14 local government authorities to improve business operations and resource management.
- Coordinated 5 programme teams (access to finance, access to market & natural resources) towards, planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, reporting, communicating lessons learnt and smooth closure of programmes.
- Coordinated with relevant Development Partners on Private Sector Development related matters through meetings, joint visits and strategic dialogues.
- Oversee the $50m Local Investment Climate Project in Dodoma and Kigoma, strengthening public-private dialogue and business environment reforms.
- Contributed to the creation of district business councils, enhancing revenue collection, creating 800,000 jobs.
- Facilitated the implementation of Business Environment Strengthening Dialogue at the national level to address critical business constraints.
- Find and pursue opportunities based on existing work or new ideas.
- Oversee programmes identification, formulation, fund raising and grant management policies and activities
Programme Officer/Head of the Environment Department
Embassy of Denmark/DANIDA
2008.01 - 2014.06
- Lead the compilation of biannual and annual report highlighting progress, achievements, lessons learnt, risks and opportunities.
- Coordinated the $50m Environment and Climate Change programme, leading the development of Tanzania’s National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan as well as Local Government Revenue Collection and Information System.
- Coordinated implementation of Land Tenure Sector Programme support in collaboration with FCDO and Ministry of Lands and Human Settlement
- Oversee implementation of urban environmental management projects in 7 strategic Cities and Municipal Councils focusing on solid waste management, urban planning, and land management across nine local government authorities.
- Coordinated Natural resources Management Programmes i.e. Participatory Forest Management and Sustainable Wetlands Management in 5 regions
- Facilitated dialogue between public and private sectors to promote green growth and sustainable resource management.
Social Scientist Training Coordinator
CEEMI, National Institute for Malaria Research
2006.01 - 2007.12
- Oversee the implementation of malaria intervention programs funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, improving child health outcomes in rural Tanzania.
- Managed the development of baseline data and guidelines for the Duka la Dawa Muhimu program in Ruvuma and Ulanga districts.
- Oversee research formulations, fundraising and grant management
Senior Environmental Impact Assessment Officer
National Environment Management Council (NEMC)
1998.09 - 2005.12
- Review and recommend on environmental impact assessments for investors, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
- Providing strategic advisory to the development of environmental management strategies and tools, including the Kihansi Environmental Management Communication Strategy.
- Developed environmental impact assessment guidelines for District focal persons
- Work with other colleagues of the Environment Sector and build synergies across the Environment landscape
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Poverty Analysis for Socioeconomic Security and Development
Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF)
TanzaniaProfessional Master’s Degree - Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing in Natural Resources Management
International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)
NetherlandsMaster of Arts - Sociology
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University
IndiaBachelor of Arts (General) - General English, Sociology, Economics and Political Science
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University
IndiaSkills
- Think Innovatively
- Act with Determination
- Achieve Results
- Engage and Partner
- Learn Continuously
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion
- Cross Function and Technical Competence
- Business Management & Coordination
- Partnership Management
- Business Development
- Business Direction and Strategy
- Policy & Political Economy Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement & Donor Coordination
- Strategic Planning & Financial Analysis
- Leadership & Team Management
Certification
- Female Future Leadership Training Programme | ESAMI and ATE | July 2017 – May 2018
- Certificate in Results-Based Monitoring & Evaluation | Uganda Management Institute & Danish Fellowship Centre | October 2014
- Certificate in Integrated Environmental Planning & Management | MTCP-INTAN, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | April 2001
- Certificate in Environmental Protection and Management | University of Connecticut, USA | July 2000
LANGUAGES
English (Fluent)
Kiswahili (Fluent)
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
- Member, Research on Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy for Malaria (WHO-TDR) | 2006-2007
- Research on Socio-Economic Causes of Biodiversity Loss in Ruaha Catchment Area (WWF-Tanzania) | 2002
- Contributing Author, “Development and Protection of Coastal and Marine Environment” | Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea | 2001
Timeline
Team Leader/Senior Advisor: Agriculture, Climate and Jobs Creation
Embassy of Denmark/DANIDA
2024.08 - 2025.07
Team Leader: Business Sector Development
Embassy of Denmark/DANIDA
2014.09 - 2024.07
Programme Officer/Head of the Environment Department
Embassy of Denmark/DANIDA
2008.01 - 2014.06
Social Scientist Training Coordinator
CEEMI, National Institute for Malaria Research
2006.01 - 2007.12
Senior Environmental Impact Assessment Officer
National Environment Management Council (NEMC)
1998.09 - 2005.12
Professional Master’s Degree - Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing in Natural Resources Management
International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC)
Master of Arts - Sociology
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University
Bachelor of Arts (General) - General English, Sociology, Economics and Political Science
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University
Post Graduate Diploma - Poverty Analysis for Socioeconomic Security and Development
Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF)