MEST AI Startup Program – Technical Fellow In-Residence

Overview

MEST AI Startup Program – Technical Fellow In-Residence is the technical backbone of the MEST AI Startup Program for one year. Location: Accra, Ghana (in-person). Reporting to the AI Startup Program Director. Team: AI Startup Program Team. Experience: 2 - 4+ years in software development and AI/ML. Contract: One-year. Start Date: January 2026. End Date: December 2026.

About MEST Africa

Launched in 2008 by Meltwater Founder & CEO Jorn Lyseggen, MEST is a Pan-African training program, seed fund, incubator, and hub for technology entrepreneurs across Africa. We provide critical skills training in software development, business, and communications, with headquarters in Accra, Ghana, funded by the Meltwater Foundation—the non-profit arm of Meltwater, a global leader in media intelligence.

MEST AI Startup Program Overview

The MEST AI Startup Program is an up to 12-month immersive experience designed to equip Africa's most promising AI entrepreneurs with the technical, business, and leadership skills needed to build and scale globally competitive AI startups. The seven-month startup program is a hands-on, activity-based experience where participants:

• Explore and refine AI business ideas
• Develop and deploy an AI MVP
• Gain deep expertise in AI software development and business fundamentals
• Engage with world-class AI practitioners from institutions like Google, Meta, and OpenAI

The five-month incubation program supports selected ventures to scale AI products, secure customers, and prepare for investment, culminating in deployable AI products, an established user base, and a roadmap for funding and growth.

Technical Fellow In-Residence Role Overview

The AI Technical Fellow In-Residence is the technical backbone of the MEST AI Startup Program each year. 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, highly interactive role that includes regular meetings with EITs, experts, partners, facilitators, and program staff to collaborate, troubleshoot, and accelerate learning. You should have deep technical expertise, a passion for AI, and an excitement for learning alongside entrepreneurs. This is a role for a doer — someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy environment and is ready to dig in.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Training & Support
  • Deliver interactive tutorials and workshops on AI/ML, software engineering, and MLOps topics from the curriculum (e.g., Python, APIs, LLMs, RAG, LangChain, vector databases, multi-agent systems, Docker, CI/CD)
  • Provide 1:1 and group technical coaching, ensuring entrepreneurs can implement concepts in their MVPs
  • Conduct code reviews and guide participants in adopting best practices
• Curriculum Integration
  • Work with expert facilitators to 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 and overcoming technical challenges
  • Learn and experiment with new AI tools alongside participants, sharing insights rapidly
  • Promote responsible AI use, including bias mitigation, privacy by design, and ethical considerations
• Collaboration & Program Support
  • Partner with program staff to ensure participants have the technical resources they need
  • Contribute to creating a dynamic, inclusive, and innovative learning environment
  • Actively engage in scheduled check-ins, collaborative planning meetings, and review sessions with EITs and program stakeholders

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Technical Expertise
  • Advanced proficiency in Python, Git/GitHub, and API development
  • Hands-on experience with:
  • LLMs, prompt engineering, and fine-tuning
  • RAG pipelines, embeddings, vector databases, LangChain
  • Multi-agent systems (e.g., CrewAI) and memory management
  • MLOps, CI/CD, Docker, cloud deployment, and API security
  • Strong grasp of 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, project-based environments
• Soft Skills & Mindset
  • Excellent communicator and collaborator, with cross-cultural sensitivity
  • Proactive problem solver with a hands-on "doer" mentality
  • Adaptable, curious, and eager to learn alongside entrepreneurs
  • Passionate about excellence, creativity, 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 — discuss your background, experience, and career goals
• Interactive Assessment — shortlisted candidates complete a technical task
• Final Interview — meet with key decision-makers for an in-depth discussion
• Job Offer & Next Steps — successful candidates receive offer details and onboarding plan

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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