Overview
MEST AI Startup Program – Technical Fellow In-Residence role at Meltwater. Location: Accra, Ghana (in-person). Reporting to: AI Startup Program Director. Team: AI Startup Program Team. Experience Level: 2 - 4+ years in software development and AI/ML. Contract: One-year. Start Date: January 2026. End Date: December 2026.
About MEST Africa
MEST is a Pan-African training program, seed fund, incubator, and hub for technology entrepreneurs across Africa, launched in 2008 by Meltwater Founder & CEO Jorn Lyseggen. It provides skills training in software development, business, and communications, with funding from the Meltwater Foundation.
MEST AI Startup Program Overview
The MEST AI Startup Program is an immersive experience designed to equip Africa’s AI entrepreneurs with the technical, business, and leadership skills needed to build and scale globally competitive AI startups. The program includes seven months of startup activities and five months of incubation to help ventures deploy AI products, gain customers, and prepare for investment.
Technical Fellow In-Residence Role Overview
The Technical Fellow In-Residence is the technical backbone of the MEST AI Startup Program. During this one-year contract, you will work directly with entrepreneurs-in-training (EITs) to ensure they can apply the technical concepts taught in the curriculum—from AI model development to deployment. This is a highly hands-on, interactive role with regular meetings to collaborate, troubleshoot, and accelerate learning. The role requires deep technical expertise, a passion for AI, and a willingness to learn alongside entrepreneurs. It is a fast-paced, doer-focused position.
Key Responsibilities
* Technical Training & Support – Deliver interactive tutorials and workshops on AI/ML, software engineering, and MLOps topics (e.g., Python, APIs, LLMs, RAG, LangChain, vector databases, multi-agent systems, Docker, CI/CD). Provide 1:1 and group technical coaching and conduct code reviews to guide best practices.
* Curriculum Integration – Align technical sessions with business and product milestones; adapt and create technical content based on evolving AI tools and participant needs.
* Problem-Solving & Mentorship – Support entrepreneurs in debugging, experiment with new AI tools, and promote responsible AI use (bias mitigation, privacy by design, ethical considerations).
* Collaboration & Program Support – Partner with program staff to ensure technical resources and a dynamic, inclusive learning environment; participate in check-ins and planning with EITs and stakeholders.
Required Qualifications & Skills
* Technical Expertise – Advanced proficiency in Python, Git/GitHub, and API development; hands-on experience with LLMs, prompt engineering, fine-tuning; RAG pipelines, embeddings, vector databases, LangChain; multi-agent systems and memory management; MLOps, CI/CD, Docker, cloud deployment, API security; strong software engineering fundamentals (testing, EDA, model evaluation).
* Experience – 2 - 4+ years in software engineering and AI/ML product development; track record of taking AI products from concept to deployment; experience in startup or fast-paced environments.
* Soft Skills & Mindset – Excellent communication and collaboration with cross-cultural sensitivity; proactive, hands-on, adaptable, curious; passion for excellence and innovation.
To Apply
* Submit your resume/CV to emily@meltwater.org with “Technical Fellow In-Residence” in the subject line for initial review.
* Initial phone interview to discuss background, experience, and career goals.
* Interactive assessment (technical task) for shortlisted candidates.
* Final interview with key decision-makers.
* Job offer and onboarding plan for successful candidates.
Due to high application volume, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within one month of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful.
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