Grants & Operations Manager

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.