The Masakhane African Languages Hub is seeking an experienced Program Manager, Foundational AI to lead a portfolio of cutting-edge artificial intelligence projects focused on advancing African language technologies.

This fully remote opportunity is open to candidates based in Africa, offering an annual salary of US$62,400 while providing the chance to contribute to one of the continent’s most ambitious AI initiatives.

Reporting to the Programs Lead, the successful candidate will oversee strategic investments in datasets, speech technologies, benchmarking, model development, and AI research infrastructure that support the Hub’s mission of making artificial intelligence more inclusive for African languages.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

About Masakhane

Masakhane is a pan-African research initiative dedicated to addressing the underrepresentation of African languages in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The initiative brings together researchers, linguists, software developers, data scientists, and community members from across Africa to develop open, inclusive, and locally relevant AI technologies.

Through collaborative research and open-source innovation, Masakhane aims to democratize access to AI while ensuring African languages are represented in next-generation language technologies.

About the Masakhane African Languages Hub

The Masakhane African Languages Hub is a flagship initiative anchored by the Masakhane Research Foundation (MRF).

Its mission is to address the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of African languages in AI by developing:

Community-centred open-source datasets
Speech technologies
Language models
AI benchmarking tools
Practical AI use cases
Foundational AI infrastructure

The Hub supports AI innovation across sectors including:

Healthcare
Education
Agriculture
Digital public services
Research and innovation

By 2029, the Hub aims to empower more than one billion Africans through locally relevant AI tools while preserving Africa’s rich linguistic diversity.

Position Overview

Position

Program Manager – Foundational AI

Location

Remote (Africa)

Travel

Continental and international travel as required

Contract

Full-time

Salary

US$62,400 per year

(Approximately US$5,200 per month, inclusive of applicable taxes and subject to statutory deductions)

Benefits

Remote working setup support
Opportunity to collaborate with leading AI researchers across Africa
International travel opportunities
Professional growth within one of Africa’s leading AI organizations

Key Responsibilities

The Program Manager will provide both technical and programme leadership across a portfolio of foundational AI investments.

Responsibilities include:

Portfolio Leadership

Lead delivery of foundational AI investments
Monitor project milestones and budgets
Ensure technical quality and strategic alignment
Identify risks and implementation opportunities

Awardee Management

Serve as the primary liaison for funded research teams
Support partners throughout project implementation
Help resolve technical bottlenecks in AI development
Coordinate technical assistance where needed

Quality Assurance

Develop standardized quality assurance frameworks
Promote interoperability across projects
Maintain scientific rigor across datasets and AI models
Support peer learning among project teams

Risk Management

Monitor project implementation
Resolve operational and technical challenges
Coordinate cross-functional collaboration
Maintain project delivery schedules

Stakeholder Engagement

The successful candidate will work closely with:

Academic researchers
AI engineers
Data scientists
Consultants
Funders
Technical partners
Research institutions

The role also involves preparing reports, presentations, and strategic briefings for various stakeholders.

Learning and Continuous Improvement

The Program Manager will collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to:

Capture lessons learned
Improve portfolio performance
Support adaptive management
Strengthen collaboration among awardees

Strategic Leadership

The role includes contributing to the long-term AI research roadmap while representing Masakhane at:

International conferences
AI workshops
Research events
Global policy discussions

Required Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in:
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Computational Linguistics
- Information Systems
- Or a related technical discipline

A Master’s degree in one of these fields is preferred.

Skills and Experience

Ideal candidates should demonstrate:

Strong programme and portfolio management experience
Experience working with AI, NLP, or digital innovation projects
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
Excellent stakeholder engagement skills
Strong communication and reporting abilities
Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary teams
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently within a remote environment

Although the role does not require candidates to be leading NLP researchers, applicants should have sufficient technical knowledge to understand and guide highly technical AI research projects.

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

Fluency in English

Knowledge of one or more African languages will be considered a significant advantage.

Why Join Masakhane?

This opportunity offers much more than a competitive salary.

Successful candidates will:

Help shape one of Africa’s leading AI research initiatives
Work with internationally recognized AI researchers
Advance AI solutions for African languages
Support open-source innovation
Contribute to equitable AI development across Africa
Influence the future of language technologies serving over one billion Africans

For professionals passionate about responsible AI and African innovation, this represents a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should prepare:

An updated CV
A brief cover letter highlighting:
- Relevant programme management experience
- Experience working with research or technical teams
- Motivation for joining Masakhane
- How they would strengthen the organization’s operational systems

Applications should be submitted through the official online application portal.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is strongly encouraged.

APPLY NOW

Final Thoughts

The Program Manager, Foundational AI role at the Masakhane African Languages Hub presents a rare opportunity to combine programme leadership with cutting-edge AI innovation that directly benefits African communities. With a competitive salary, fully remote work, and the chance to collaborate with leading researchers across the continent, the position is ideal for experienced professionals passionate about inclusive AI, open research, and Africa’s digital future.

Candidates with programme management expertise and a strong understanding of AI or NLP ecosystems are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.

Masakhane African Languages Hub is Hiring a Remote Program Manager, Foundational AI (US$62,400/Year) @Unknown