Job Title: Grants & Operations Manager
Location: Remote (with a preference for African candidates)
Job Type: Full-time (Consultant)
Compensation: Negotiable
This position is open for applications until 9 March, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submissions.
About Masakhane
Masakhane is a pan-African initiative aimed at tackling the under-representation 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.
About the Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages
The Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages (“the Hub”) is a new initiative to address the critical under-representation and misrepresentation of African languages in artificial intelligence (AI). Anchored by the Masakhane Research Foundation (MRF), the Hub will develop datasets, models, and use cases to catalyze innovation in sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. With a vision to unlock AI's benefits for over 1 billion Africans, the Hub fosters community-driven approaches and long-term, sustainable partnerships across the African NLP ecosystem.
Our mission is to empower marginalized communities, build local capacity, and ensure African languages and cultures are fully represented in the AI-driven future.
Position Overview
The Grants and Operations Manager will oversee grants administration, financial management, and operational frameworks at the Hub. Reporting to the Hub Director, this role ensures compliance with funding requirements, optimizes internal operations, and manages donor relationships to support the Hub’s mission. This position is ideal for a proactive leader with expertise in grants management, financial oversight, and operational coordination.
Key Responsibilities:
Grants Management
Lead the full lifecycle of grants, including proposal submissions, contract negotiations, fund disbursement, and reporting.
Develop and implement systems to track and ensure compliance with grant conditions, donor requirements, and organizational policies.
Track grant milestones and align them with project implementation schedules.
Coordinate with the Finance Lead to ensure accurate financial tracking of all grant-funded activities.
Support funder and Board engagement through regular updates, impact reports, and strategic insights.
Operational Coordination
Develop and streamline administrative processes related to grants, contracts, and procurement.
Manage procurement, vendor relations, and contracts to support operational needs.
SSupport assessments of partner/grantee organizations and oversee calls for proposals. Review partner budgets and provide assistance and guidance where necessary.
Coordinating with the Project Manager, ensure operational workflows support smooth program execution and compliance.
Work with the Program Manager to ensure project budgets are aligned with implementation plans and programmatic objectives.
Resource Mobilization
Collaborate with the Hub Director and Program Manager to identify grant opportunities and develop financial proposals and reports for funders.
Provide input into grant budgets and ensure accurate financial tracking of grant-funded activities.
Institutional Capacity Building
Develop systems and training materials to enhance organizational capacity in grants management, financial oversight, and operations.
Support institutional strengthening initiatives, including the development of operational manuals and standardized procedures.
Requirements:
Experience
Proven experience in grants management, financial oversight, and operations, ideally in non-profit or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
At least 5 years of experience managing complex grants portfolios, with a strong understanding of donor compliance requirements.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Proficiency in grant-tracking tools, financial management software, and productivity applications.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, particularly in managing budgets and financial data.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, project management, or a related field.
Experience in developing operational frameworks for startups or expanding organizations.
Familiarity with African-based organizations and knowledge of AI, technology, or language-focused initiatives.
Ability to work effectively in a remote and multicultural environment.
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.
Job Title: Finance & Accounting Lead
Location: Remote (with a preference for African candidates)
Job Type: Full-time (Consultant)
Compensation: Negotiable
This position is open for applications until 9 March, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submissions.
About Masakhane
Masakhane is a pan-African initiative aimed at tackling the under-representation 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.
About the Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages
The Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages (“the Hub”) is a new initiative to address the critical under-representation and misrepresentation of African languages in artificial intelligence (AI). Anchored by the Masakhane Research Foundation (MRF), the Hub will develop datasets, models, and use cases to catalyze innovation in sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. With a vision to unlock AI's benefits for over 1 billion Africans, the Hub fosters community-driven approaches and long-term, sustainable partnerships across the African NLP ecosystem.
Our mission is to empower marginalized communities, build local capacity, and ensure African languages and cultures are fully represented in the AI-driven future.
Position Overview
The Finance and Accounting Lead will oversee the financial operations of the Hub, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with donor requirements. Reporting to the Hub Director, the Lead will manage financial strategies, budgets, and reporting systems to support the Hub’s mission and operational growth. This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial foundations of an initiative that will drive transformative change for African languages and communities.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Strategy and Management
Develop and oversee the Hub’s annual budgets, financial forecasts, and resource allocation plans.
Design and implement financial strategies to ensure long-term sustainability and alignment with organizational goals. Provide data-driven financial insights to guide decision-making for leadership and funders.
Prepare detailed financial reports and analysis for internal stakeholders, funders, and the Steering Committee and Masakhane Board.
Accounting and Compliance
Manage day-to-day accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and reconciliations.
Ensure all financial reporting compliance with donor requirements, local tax regulations, and international financial standards.
Coordinate and manage audits, ensuring timely completion and resolution of findings.
Establish internal controls for financial risk mitigation.
Provide periodic financial reports to the Hub Director and Board.
Fund Disbursement & Expense Tracking
Approve and process fund disbursements based on project milestones.
Ensure expenses align with budgetary constraints and work with the Program Manager to flag any discrepancies.
Conduct financial risk assessments and implement internal controls to safeguard resources.
Resource Mobilization
Collaborate with the Grants and Operations Manager to develop financial proposals and reports for funders.
Provide input into grant budgets and ensure accurate financial tracking of grant-funded activities.
Institutional Capacity Building
Develop systems and training materials to enhance organizational capacity in financial management.
Support institutional strengthening initiatives, including the development of operational manuals and standardized procedures.
Requirements:
Experience
Proven track record of setting up financial systems in startups or growing organizations.
At least 7 years of experience in financial management, preferably in nonprofit or grant-funded environments.
Strong knowledge of donor compliance requirements and financial reporting standards.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Proficiency in accounting software and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field (CPA or equivalent preferred).
Experience working with international donors and African-based organizations.
Experience in developing operational frameworks for startups or expanding organizations.
Familiarity with African-based organizations and knowledge of AI, technology, or language-focused initiatives.
Ability to work effectively in a remote and multicultural environment.
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.
Job Title: Program Manager
Location: Remote (with a preference for African candidates)
Job Type: Full-time (Consultant)
Compensation: Negotiable
This position is open for applications until 9 March, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submissions.
About Masakhane
Masakhane is a pan-African initiative aimed at tackling the under-representation 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.
About the Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages
The Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages (“the Hub”) is a new initiative to address the critical under-representation and misrepresentation of African languages in artificial intelligence (AI). Anchored by the Masakhane Research Foundation (MRF), the Hub will develop datasets, models, and use cases to catalyze innovation in sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. With a vision to unlock AI's benefits for over 1 billion Africans, the Hub fosters community-driven approaches and long-term, sustainable partnerships across the African NLP ecosystem.
Our mission is to empower marginalized communities, build local capacity, and ensure African languages and cultures are fully represented in the AI-driven future.
Position Overview
The Program Manager will play a central role in ensuring the success and impact of the Hub’s flagship projects by overseeing project management, operational excellence, and performance tracking. This position combines strong project management expertise with robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) skills to track and improve the effectiveness of the Hub’s programs.
Reporting to the Hub Director, the PM/MEL Lead will drive the development of detailed project plans, establish and maintain MEL frameworks, and ensure smooth coordination across teams and stakeholders. The PM will also support the Director to engage the Steering Committee and Masakhane Board, helping to manage board relationships and setting the agenda for these bodies and the strategic feedback needed to drive project execution.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful projects at the intersection of AI and African languages while supporting the delivery of a new groundbreaking initiative.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Management
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets for the Hub’s flagship initiatives.
Act as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, including funders, partners, and internal teams.
Proactively identify risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
Cross-Functional Team Management
Serve as a key thought partner to the Director in the building of the Hub, by tackling high-stakes projects and solving complex problems as they arise. As needed, lead cross-functional projects, from launching new flagship initiatives to refining operational processes.
Coordinate and manage project teams as needed to ensure efficient communication, alignment, and resource allocation.
Facilitate regular check-ins, retrospectives, and team-building activities to ensure high team performance and morale.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Design and implement a comprehensive MEL framework to measure progress, effectiveness, and impact across all Hub initiatives.
Establish performance indicators and data collection systems to track delivery against project targets and course-correct project delivery.
Develop periodic MEL reports for internal use, funders, and stakeholders.
Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and updates for funders, the Advisory and Steering Committees, Board, and other stakeholders.
Institutional Capacity Building
Identify capacity-building needs within the Hub’s teams and work with the Director to address them.
Requirements:
Experience
Proven experience managing projects end-to-end, coordinating a range of stakeholders and ensuring results are achieved.
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Microsoft Project).
Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks and tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire cross-functional teams.
Familiarity with natural language processing (NLP) or AI technologies.
Experience working in or with the African NLP research community.
Knowledge of open-source principles and collaborative software development practices.
Previous experience in MEL roles within a digital health, education, or technology-focused organization.
Certification in project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Agile).
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.
Job Title: Hub Director
Location: Remote (with a preference for African candidates). Travel of 25% expected
Job Type: Full-time (Consultant)
Compensation: Negotiable
This position is open for applications until 9 March, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage early submissions.
About Masakhane
Masakhane is a pan-African initiative aimed at tackling the under-representation 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.
About the Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages
The Masakhane AI Hub for African Languages (“the Hub”) is a new initiative to address the critical under-representation and misrepresentation of African languages in artificial intelligence (AI). Anchored by the Masakhane Research Foundation (MRF), the Hub will develop datasets, models, and use cases to catalyze innovation in sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. With a vision to unlock AI's benefits for over 1 billion Africans, the Hub fosters community-driven approaches and long-term, sustainable partnerships across the African NLP ecosystem.
Our mission is to empower marginalized communities, build local capacity, and ensure African languages and cultures are fully represented in the AI-driven future.
Position Overview
The Director will serve as the visionary leader of the Hub, responsible for shaping and executing the Hub’s strategy to position it as a global leader in African language AI. You will oversee all aspects of the Hub’s operations, from strategic planning and stakeholder engagement to managing teams and delivering on impactful initiatives.
As a member of the founding team, you will be the entrepreneur launching the Hub - and growing it to its full potential. You will build a team and relationships with the African AI community and partners, and establish the brand and systems to establish the Hub as the catalyst for more accessible AI solutions in African languages.
In this high-profile role, you will cultivate partnerships with funders, research institutions, private sector, and policymakers to amplify the Hub’s reach and impact. You will also ensure that the Hub’s projects align with its mission of fostering inclusion, innovation, and local ownership in African NLP. Reporting to the Masakhane Research Foundation (MRF) Board, you will collaborate with Steering and Advisory Committees, and operational teams to build a sustainable, high-performing organization that meets the needs of Africa’s diverse linguistic communities.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
Develop and implement the Hub’s long-term vision, strategy, and goals. Identify and prioritize strategic opportunities to advance African NLP and scale the Hub’s impact, in alignment with MRF’s 5-year strategy (2025-2029).
Drive the delivery of flagship projects to speed the pace and reach of African language AI.
Operations and Governance
Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring effective management of resources and teams. Provide guidance and support to the operational team to ensure successful project delivery.
Build systems and processes that contribute to the Hub being scalable and highly cost efficient.
Establish robust governance structures, policies, and procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.
Monitor project delivery, budgets, and performance metrics, ensuring alignment with donor and community expectations.
Responsible for the financial results of the Hub across all funding streams.
Resource Mobilization
Cultivate relationships with funders, securing multi-year funding and aligning resources to a continental vision for African language AI.
Be the external face of compelling grant proposals, reports, speaking engagements, and pitches to support the Hub’s initiatives.
Secure diverse revenue streams to enhance the Hub’s financial sustainability.
Community, Partnerships, and Advocacy
Build and nurture partnerships with global and local stakeholders, including the African NLP community, governments, research institutions, startups, private sector, and funders.
Represent the Hub at high-profile events, summits, and conferences to advocate for African language AI.
Establish the Hub as a thought leader in inclusive and responsible AI, showcasing its impact through advocacy and media/speaking engagements.
Team Leadership and Capacity Building
Recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Lead capacity-building initiatives within the organization and across the African NLP ecosystem.
Requirements:
Experience
Proven leadership experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder organizations or initiatives. This experience could be gained through multiple channels, from academia/research to relevant experience in startups, tech companies, consulting or ops management.
5+ years of leadership experience, preferably in AI, technology, or development sectors.
Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, fundraising, and stakeholder management.
Strong communication and leadership skills with a track record of fostering organizational growth.
Existing network within African technology, academic, and donor ecosystems.
An eye for great talent and the ability to unlock its potential.
A commitment to building a strong culture driven by the values of the African NLP community and a commitment to responsible and inclusive AI.
Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., AI, linguistics, management, or development).
Familiarity with natural language processing (NLP) and open-source development principles.
Deep understanding of Africa’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Proficiency in one or more African languages is a strong advantage.
Track record of working with diverse teams in a remote or multicultural setting.
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.
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.
The Masakhane Research Foundation, through the support of FAIR Forward, an initiative of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), is glad to announce two Data Governance Fellowship positions.
Data sovereignty, African-centricity, sustainability, inclusivity and ownership are values fundamental to Masakhane. As it stands, Masakhane is regularly involved in language data collection activities. These are often volunteer efforts driven by researchers in a bid to create the datasets they need for their own research. We have also participated in dataset creation activities that have been funded by various organisations. Eg. We have been the recipient of a handful of Lacuna Fund grants to create language datasets and have collaborated with other organisations in the implementation of this work.
While data governance is a topic that is regularly addressed in our various meetings, we believe it requires dedicated resources to adequately explore, document and disseminate our learnings. These learning are often additional outputs through our various activities and therefore run the risk of not being intentionally documented. The ‘Data Governance’ Fellowships will be a step towards making sure of the intentionality of this task. We especially want to hear from women and historically marginalised candidates with a passion for inclusive AI for sustainable development and a strong background in digital and AI-related topics.
Activities and Responsibilities
Development of an African NLP Data Collection Handbook
This handbook will compile learnings and recommendations from the language data collection experiences of those amongst our ranks and others within our network who have undertaken this work. These learnings will broadly address community involvement looking to enable participatory dataset creation, curation and management through discussing issues such as;
What are ethical data collection practises that partners should ensure to observe
How can data collection practises result in the creation of culturally relevant data that speaks to local histories and practices, taking into account African-centric methodologies. When working in communities where there has not been a strong culture of documenting, efforts to document languages should focus on content relevant to the communities.
How to structure dataset development activities so as to meaningfully involve and upskill local populations in language technology development through mentorship and opportunities to contribute to subsequent research work
How to acknowledge and how much to pay contributors and annotators who contribute to the dataset
How to develop software applications for use by local populations, and putting in place iterative feedback loops for the improvement of these tools and continuous collection of additional data
A guide on the development of new terminology for African languages in contexts such as in Science, where there have not been sustained efforts to develop this terminology
Management and Maintenance of an African NLP data catalogue
Lanfrica is a platform that catalogues and links African language resources in order to mitigate the difficulty encountered in discovering African works by creating a centralised catalogue. For instance, if you’re looking for resources (linguistic datasets or research papers) in a particular African language, Lanfrica will point you to the different sources on the web that have such datasets in the desired language.
This project has adopted a participatory and community led approach, which is in-line with the fundamental values of Masakhane.
As the project platform is already set up, this part of the work will focus on;
expanding the number of sources (ie. Repositories and data providers that feed the Lanfrica platform eg. arxiv, africarxiv and zenodo)
increase the number of available resources, ie. papers and datasets linked
Carry out consultations with stakeholders in the African NLP ecosystem as well as users of Lanfrica so as to establish a data governance policy for the platform
Case Studies on IP, Copyright and Fair Use in Africa
The legal landscape for fair use and access to data for research purposes is quite nascent in Africa. We have found that many researchers in the African context will approach accessing data for research purposes with a western mindset, which assumes fair use. This means going ahead and scraping available data from the web without asking for permission or taking the time to note any IP or copyright restrictions on the data. Through our work and collaboration with the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology (CIPIT) at Strathmore University, we have been approaching access to existing data on a case by case basis. This often means approaching data owners, letting them know of our intentions and asking for permission, a process for which some templates exist. We have also explored partnership models that would enable us to access data and these can also be documented. This work aims to create a documentation of a minimum of 5 case studies, accounts which will detail how our interactions as well as those of others within our networks have unfolded with several data owners in Africa. From these, we intend to derive a list of good practices, recommendations on how others can approach such interactions and insight into what not to try.
Tooling for Data Statements
Datasheets for datasets is a tool for documenting the datasets used for training and evaluating machine learning models. The aim of datasheets is to increase dataset transparency and facilitate better communication between dataset creators and dataset consumers (e.g., those using datasets to train machine learning models). Datasheets encourage dataset creators to carefully reflect on the dataset creation process, enabling them to uncover possible sources of bias in their data or unintentional assumptions that they’ve made. For dataset consumers, the information contained within datasheets can help ensure that the dataset is the right choice for the task at hand. Datasheets can optionally be exposed to end users for increased transparency and trust.
In our work, we have been encouraging members of Masakhane to upload the datasets created in the course of their work onto an African NLP community on Zenodo. Additionally, we ask that the dataset be accompanied by data sheets. Having noted the lack of adherence to these requirements, this work would create a tool to streamline the process of creating metadata for datasets. We envisage a web tool that allows users to to enter project information and also be prompted in a step by step way to create a Data Sheet draft or markdown file. The tool starts with a few questions with drop downs. Given these responses, it then creates a document for you to create a version 1 of a datasheet.
The tool will be open source and will be a requirement of datasets that individuals wish to upload on the Zenodo African NLP community. As the community feature on Zenodo allows for the curator to not accept or make public a request to publish a dataset, this requirement will be enforceable on the platform.
Results(Outputs):
Data Collection Handbook (A handbook on Data Collection best practices and recommendations), with a focus on African language data and lessons from the African content
Further development of an African NLP dataset catalogue platform, ie. Lanfrica
Data governance policy for Lanfrica
Compilation of case studies on Intellectual Property, copyright and fair use of data in Africa
Technical tooling for streamlining the process of creating data statements/data sheets for datasets
Recommendations on Community-led Data Governance with a focus on African NLP
Professional Requirements of the Candidate:
High level understanding of relevant fields such as: Natural Language Processing, Dataset creation for Machine Learning. Applicants with a humanities background are encouraged to apply.
Experience undertaking qualitative research (stakeholder interviews, questionnaires, etc.), using statistical methods and other digital tools for analysis of results and drawing insights.
Strong communication skills in English and efficient collaboration skills across digital platforms (having knowledge of an African language would be a plus)
Strong writing skills, ability to disseminate learnings and difficult concepts in written format and in plain, easy to understand language.
Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent research experience
Number of Individuals: 2
Time commitment: part-time (approximately 18 hours a week)
Remuneration: KES 2,730,240 before tax (approximately USD 20,984 using the current exchange rate - 130.11. As the funding is received in KES, payment will be made using the exchange rate made available by the Central Bank of Kenya on the day of payment)
Duration: 9 months
Location: Remote
To apply, please share a copy of your latest CV and a one page (A4) motivation letter to mrf-employment@googlegroups.com before 22h00 GMT on Friday, 19 April 2024.
The Lacuna Fund will soon be putting out a 2nd call for African NLP datasets. Masakhane and the Lacuna Fund are jointly opening a position for a Resident who will work to build avenues and resources for greater multi-disciplinary collaboration with linguists. This work is in a bid to open up further possibilities in language technologies, primarily in the creation of datasets, and build relationships that can support applications to the 2nd Lacuna funding call for language datasets.
Through some interaction with several linguists who are already part of Masakhane, we have learnt that:
While both technologists and linguists have an innate sense that they can be of use to each other, there is room to further explore what resources can be created at the intersection of the two disciplines that would be of use in building language technology
Linguists, through their education and academic careers, often develop language resources as part of language documentation efforts. These resources are however often not in a format that is easily accessible for Machine Learning or entirely not online. Creating frameworks for collaboration between the 2 disciplines with the expected outcome of digitisation of these resources would be useful.
This will be a three month role.
Given the majority representation of NLP researchers within Masakhane, the ideal candidate for this role is a linguist who has access to networks and communities of linguists and has collaborated on Masakhane projects. This positions them well to access the individuals with the profiles needed to partake in the research work.
Design a plan for engagement of the linguists and NLP researcher stakeholder groups
Define outputs/resources created (ideally resources that can encourage knowledge of the fields and encourage collaboration; eg. NLP for Linguists/Linguistics for NLP notebooks/tutorials)
Facilitating sessions with stakeholders
Compiling of outputs
Previous work experience as a linguist
A good network of linguists and involvement with linguists communities, particularly in Africa
Knowledge of software commonly used by linguists in language documentation and other professional duties
Experience working with Masakhane NLP researchers
High-level grasp of NLP research work
Knowledge around language datasets for NLP
Event organisation and coordination
Number of Individuals: 1
Time commitment: 10 to 15 hours a week (will vary)
Remuneration: US$ 1000 per month
Duration: 3 months (October to January with a break for the holidays)
Location: Remote
How to apply: Email your CV and 500 words motivation, highlighting relevant experience, to tgwadabe@yahoo.com
Application Deadline: 22 September 2021
The Lacuna Fund will soon be putting out a 2nd call for African NLP datasets. Masakhane and the Lacuna Fund are jointly opening a position to complement the 2nd call for proposals for AfricaNLP datasets to enable more inclusion, facilitate more collaborations and partnerships across the continent
Masakhane and Lacuna are jointly opening a Francophone Engagement Residency. Among members of our community, it is increasingly becoming apparent that, courtesy of English being the language of Science, Francophone and Lusophone African researchers and subsequently languages are being left behind. In a bid to begin closing this gap, we propose a series of activities to be led by several members of our community who belong to these underrepresented groups.
Responsibilities
As part of the Francophone Engagement Residency, you would be responsible for
The translation of existing Masakhane resources to French. More specifically:
The Masakhane website
NLP notebooks and READMEs of projects on github
Talks and presentations that are central to communicating the mission of Masakhane
Application support and mentorship for the Lacuna Fund call
Advocating for the inclusion of Francophone African languages in the existing Lacuna-funded Masakhane Projects(NER, MT), in addition to submissions for original works.
Evangelism about African NLP within Francophone machine learning communities, encouraging them to apply to the Lacuna Fund for grants
Requirements
Experience in community engagement
1+ years Administration experience (e.g. through AI community management or as part of a startup)
Good networks within the African AI community, especially the Francophone community
Fluent in French, spoken and written.
Excellent communicator
Existing participation in the Masakhane community
Number of Individuals: 3
Time commitment: 10 to 15 hours a week (will vary)
Remuneration: US$ 1000 per month
Duration: 3 working months (October to mid-Jan, allowing for a break in December)
Location: Remote
How to apply: Email your CV and 500 words motivation, highlighting relevant experience, to tgwadabe@yahoo.com
Application Deadline: 22 September 2021
The Lacuna Fund is putting out a 2nd call for African NLP datasets. Masakhane and the Lacuna Fund are jointly opening a position to complement the 2nd call for proposals for AfricaNLP datasets. The Mentorship and Collaboration Resident will work with individuals and teams to grow their ideas, facilitate more collaborations and partnerships across the continent, therefore enabling inclusion and stronger applications to the 2nd Lacuna Call for Language datasets.
This would entail several sets of activities whose main purpose will be to make individuals in the ecosystem aware of each other's work, and where applicable, encourage them to collaborate ahead of the next call for funding.
Responsibilities
Design a preliminary Expression of Interest(EoI) for individuals within the extended Masakhane network who have any ongoing work or ideas of work that could benefit from receiving funding via the Lacuna call.
Design a mentorship program such that each group of applicants is able to access a mentor with relevant experience
Organize several workshops bringing together applicants who are working in related fields.
Coordinating and organizing communication sessions between relevant groups.
Publicise several calls for EoI, Mentorship programs, and workshops and maintain accessible information on each.
Requirements
High level understanding of relevant fields such as: Natural Language Processing, Linguistics, Dataset creation for Machine Learning.
Experience with technical event organization such as workshops, hackathons, or mentorship sessions.
Established network and involvement in the African ML/NLP/Data science ecosystem and/or Masakhane
Strong communication & Collaboration skills.
Number of Individuals: 2
Time commitment: 10 to 15 hours a week (will vary)
Remuneration: US$ 1000 per month
Duration: 3 working months (October to mid-Jan, allowing for a break in December)
Location: Remote
How to apply: Email your CV and 500 words motivation, highlighting relevant experience, to tgwadabe@yahoo.com
Application Deadline: 22 September 2021