Joseph Tanui has worked with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) since early 2002 as Regional Research Fellow, where he has been involved in issues of collective action for solving challenges associated with land degradation. He has been a big advocate of the concept of improved livelihoods for environmental conservation through improved market access and diversified enterprises. He is the Landcare Coordinator for Eastern Africa, where he has been instrumental in the development of the concept of African Grassroots Innovations for Livelihoods and the Environment (AGILE) approach. His work has involved working with communities in setting up a sustainable process for livelihoods and environmental conservation, and has worked with partner organizations that include research institutions, NGOs, CBOs, and the civil society. Prior to his work at ICRAF, he was a Research Fellow of the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), and an Extension Approach Development Officer of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) project, both in Kenya.

Joseph has a Masters degree in Environmental Studies (Agroforestry and Rural Development) from Kenyatta Univeristy, Kenya. His thesis was on Cost Benefit Analysis of the Farmer-Trainer Extension Approach. He also has B.Sc. (Honours) Second Division in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi, Kenya