Open Positions

Job Title: Community Manager

Location: Remote (with a preference for African candidates)

Job Type: Part-time (15-20 hours per week)

Payment: $2000 per month before tax

This position is open for applications until Monday November 25th.

About Masakhane

Masakhane is a pan-African initiative aimed at tackling the underrepresentation of African languages in natural language processing (NLP) and AI. Our mission is to bring together researchers, technologists, linguists, and community members from across the continent to collaborate on AI that is inclusive and representative of Africa’s linguistic diversity. By working collectively, we are democratizing access to cutting-edge AI research and contributing to the global growth of African NLP.

Position Overview

We are looking for a passionate Community Manager to help foster, grow, and support Masakhane’s diverse community. In this role, you will be responsible for engaging with community members, facilitating collaboration, and driving initiatives that advance Masakhane’s goals. You will lead efforts to keep our community motivated, connected, and informed about opportunities, challenges, and breakthroughs within the AI and African language space.

The ideal candidate will be proactive, highly organized, and passionate about building community around technology that has the potential to shape the future of African AI. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys wearing many hats—from event planning to content creation—while being the main point of contact for community relations.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Engagement & Growth:

• Actively manage and nurture Masakhane’s online communities, ensuring inclusive and meaningful discussions.

• Lead community outreach efforts to onboard new members, promoting participation from underrepresented regions and languages.

• Drive initiatives that strengthen collaboration across research clusters and interest groups within the Masakhane network.

• Run the weekly Masakhane online meeting to ensure that knowledge sharing and progress takes place

Event Planning & Facilitation:

• Organize virtual and local events, including webinars, community calls, and workshops that align with Masakhane’s mission of collaborative knowledge sharing.

• Coordinate logistics for Masakhane’s biannual workshops, ensuring diverse representation of African languages, researchers, and practitioners.

• Facilitate engagement during events, ensuring high participation and productive outcomes.

Content Creation & Communication:

• Collaborate with the team to develop a communication strategy that keeps the community informed and engaged.

• Draft and distribute newsletters, blog posts, and other relevant content that highlight community achievements, research progress, and upcoming opportunities.

• Gather community stories, testimonials, and insights to amplify the voices of those contributing to African NLP.

Data & Insights:

• Regularly track community engagement metrics to understand trends and areas for improvement.

• Conduct surveys, polls, and feedback sessions to gather insights from the community, ensuring their feedback drives future initiatives.

Partnerships & Advocacy:

• Build and maintain relationships with other AI-focused organizations, academic institutions, and language advocacy groups to expand Masakhane’s reach.

• Advocate for the inclusion of African languages and Masakhane’s mission in global AI discussions, ensuring the visibility of African research and languages in AI.

Requirements:

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years experience in community management or outreach, preferably within the tech, non-profit, or research sectors.

• Experience working with international or culturally diverse communities, especially in Africa or the Global South.

Skills:

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders (researchers, linguists, technologists, volunteers) across different platforms.

• Strong project management and organizational skills, with experience in event planning and coordination.

• Knowledge of AI, machine learning, or natural language processing is a plus, though not mandatory.

• Ability to speak both English and French is an added advantage

Values & Mindset:

• A passion for languages and the transformative potential of technology to advance underrepresented cultures.

• A proactive, self-starter who is comfortable working remotely and independently.

• Strong interpersonal skills with a commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding.

Why Join Us:

• Be part of a cutting-edge initiative that is pioneering the future of African languages in AI.

• Work in a collaborative and mission-driven environment with experts from across Africa and around the globe.

• Enjoy the flexibility of remote work with opportunities to connect with a vibrant community of innovators.

• Contribute to a project that promotes inclusivity, social good, and the democratization of AI technologies.

• Competitive salary and benefits, with opportunities for professional development.

Application Process:

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in this role and how you would contribute to building and sustaining Masakhane’s community by sharing them via this form. Include any relevant work samples or links to previous community initiatives you’ve managed in your cover letter and/or CV.