Job Description
Devex Talent Solutions is currently assisting Trees for the Future (TREES) in their search for a Country Director to be based in Mwanza, Tanzania.
ABOUT TREES
At Trees for the Future (TREES), we believe farmers have the power to transform the world. For over 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in agroforestry training, partnering with farming families to build vibrant economies, sustainable food systems, and thriving ecosystems. Through our signature Forest Garden Approach—a proven nature-based solution—farmers restore their land, plant thousands of trees, and grow diverse crops, breaking cycles of climate change and generational poverty. By reclaiming their agency, farmers are creating new possibilities for their families, communities, and the environment. Active in Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda, TREES has planted over 350 million trees to date. Joining our passionate, collaborative team means empowering farmers to lead lasting change for people and the planet.
In Tanzania, we partner with over 8,000 farmers across Singida, Tabora, Mwanza, and Simiyu, supported by 63 dedicated staff. Together, we will plant 8 million trees this year, restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen local food systems. By adopting the Forest Garden Approach, farmers are leading the charge for sustainable development and creating brighter futures for their communities.
THE ROLE
Based in Mwanza, the Country Director is the organization’s legal representative in Tanzania and is responsible for the office’s programmatic and administrative excellence. We seek a dynamic and results-oriented person with experience leading a regional or national operation for a similar NGO or comparable organization in the commercial or government sectors.
The Country Director will inspire and develop the team and engage and welcome government, technical and funding partners in line with the client’s mission. They will put in place the operational capacity and discipline to deliver results for farmers and oversee the effective validation of programs.
Comfortable operating equally in a village meeting and promoting the client’s work at the highest government levels, the Country Director will understand and be capable of leading large-scale behavior change programs for farmers and communities. The most important is an absolute dedication to the highest integrity in all human resources, financial and administrative matters.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Country Director is accountable for the success of all aspects of the Tanzania operation. This work is to be undertaken in line with the client’s global policies and procedures and benefit from the support of central teams in Finance, HR, Development/Communications, Programs and MEL. Major duties include the following:
Strategy and Management
- Periodically develop and adjust clients’ approach in Tanzania to maximize programmatic impact and sustainability, exposure among key audiences and opportunities for growth
- Recruit, inspire and oversee a group of leaders in all essential functions to deliver excellence
Inspiration and Leadership
- Quickly establish a detailed understanding of clients’ approach and exhibit a deep commitment to clients’ mission
- Convene and communicate regularly and productively with management and all staff and inspire a full commitment to our work and results
- Oversee professional development of promising talent to progress and take on increased capacity in a growing operation.
- Promote a high-performance culture which is motivating and safe for all staff and partners (free of any form of harassment, favoritism or intimidation).
Programmatic Excellence
- Promote effectively and relentlessly excellence in all programmatic work with an absolute focus on the sustained quality of client forest gardens.
- Understand and resource the needs for the highest and best adoption of promoted practices, including farmer mobilization, training execution and farm extension, connection to markets and other resources.
- Develop and execute effective monitoring and evaluation methodologies to provide usable and timely management information to address apparent gaps and capitalize on measured successes.
- Collaborate with central office partners and existing carbon programs to anticipate and build out effectively the requirements for a major carbon program in Tanzania.
Financial and Administrative Excellence
- Oversee annual budget development and finalization and execute programs within agreed resource availability. Ensure strict compliance with all accounting, procurement and financial requirements for audit-ready books at any time.
- Develop a seasoned back-office team (HR, Logistics, Accounting, Operations) in keeping with the scale and complexity of on-ground operations, local compliance needs and compliance with Central Office requirements and standards
- Oversee the effective implementation of global and local standards for the full staff life cycle to attract, inspire and develop talented and motivated staff
- Retain cost-effectively and utilize competent legal and other resources for reliable counsel as needed
- Welcome and facilitate periodic HR, financial or other audits as may be planned or arriving unannounced.
Representation
- Develop and sustain a strong brand for the client with existing and new partners with a targeted approach to relationship development, and speaking engagements and coordinated fundraising and communication activity with central office specialists.
Contribution to Regional and Global Initiatives
- Contribute as part of the regular convening of Country Directors and other leaders, collaborate and share with other Country Directors and participate in periodic special projects sponsored by the Central Office (Strategy, sharing, convenings, etc.)
WHO YOU ARE
- An enthusiastic advocate for TREES’ mission and values. You are inspired to empower and lead a team working to grow vibrant regional economies, thriving food systems, and a healthier planet.
- An inspiring and collaborative leader. You foster a culture of inclusivity, respect, and high performance, mentoring talent and empowering teams to succeed in a safe and motivating environment.
- A champion of programmatic excellence. You relentlessly pursue quality in all programmatic work, leveraging your knowledge of sustainable agriculture, behavior change, and farmer mobilization to scale effective practices.
- An experienced and confident administrative leader. You bring expertise in budgeting, financial management, accounting, procurement, and human resources administration, with a proven ability to build efficient, transparent systems that support operational excellence.
- A versatile and effective communicator. You are skilled at engaging diverse audiences, from smallholder farmers and staff to senior government officials and donor partners, fostering trust and collaboration across all levels.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s Degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s in agriculture, business or related field
- 5-7 years’ experience in general management in Tanzania of a major project or operation similar to TREES.
- 3-5 years of on-ground experience in agriculture, rural development, entrepreneurship, or value chain programming.
- Full fluency in Swahili and excellent written and oral communication in English.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFITS
TREES is an International Organization that strives to be the best home for staff wanting to make an impact on the farmers we serve. TREES believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. TREES values collaboration and teamwork that fosters increase engagement and innovation for professional growth.
TREES offer a multicultural, collegial work environment with a competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, workers’ compensation, and substantial paid time off, including annual leave and sick leave.
