Mjenga is a career diplomat having joined the Tanzanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as a Foreign Service Officer in 2002. Since then he has climbed up the ranks and served in different capacities throughout his career at home and key duty stations abroad.

From 2013 to 2016, Mjenga served as Tanzania’s Honorary Consular in Dubai, UAE, responsible for promoting Tanzania as both a tourist and investment destination. At this capacity, he also facilitated political and trade relations, as well as cultural exchange between his country and Dubai.

Between 2011 and 2013, Mjenga served as Country Director and Representative of UNOPS in Sierra Leone, where he was in-charge of the organization’s efforts in supporting peace and security, humanitarian and development projects throughout the country.

From 2007 to 2011, he was stationed at Tanzania’s Permanent Mission at the UN in New York, where he served as Head of United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes, and General Assembly Affairs Section. While in New York, he also took the capacity of Vice President and Member of the Bureau of the UNDP/UNOPS/UNFPA Executive Board, from January 2009 to January 2010. He continued to serve as a board member up-to January 2011.

From 2002 to 2005, Mjenga served as Private Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Jakaya M. Kikwete, who later became Tanzania’s President from 2005 to 2015. As personal aide to the Minister, he also undertook the role of National Executive Secretary to the Secretariat of the Helsinki Process on Globalization and Democracy, an initiative by Governments of Finland and Tanzania, under co-chair of Foreign Ministers and later Presidents H.E. Tarja Halonen of Finland and H.E. Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, from 2002 to 2007. The final report of this Process was presented to the United Nations Secretary-General H.E. Ban Ki Moon by the Presidents during the 63rd General Assembly.

Mjenga’s former roles include being an Assistant Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Dar es Salaam, and Tutor and Instructor at the 411KJ Military Secondary Academy in Songea, Tanzania.

Mjenga holds a Master’s Degree (Distinction) in Security and Strategic Studies from the Tanzania National Defence College (NDC) 2016. A Master’s Degree (Distinction) in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations and Public Administration, 2002, and a BA (Honors) Degree in Social Sciences with a specialization in Political Science, International Relations and Public Administration. He is also a recipient of the prestigious ‘NDC’ award, from the National Defence College of Tanzania, July 2016.

Mjenga has published in various journals including the article, ‘Participation of Tanzania in Peacekeeping Operations: An Analysis of Its Contribution to National Security,’ published by the National Defence College of Tanzania Journal, 2016.