TL:DR
Position: Programmes & Partnerships Manager
Location: Norrsken House, Barcelona, Spain (minimum 3 days in office;
to discuss)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
About Ersilia
The Ersilia Open Source Initiative is a non-profit organization building open source AI tools to support infectious disease research across the Global South. Founded in 2020, the Ersilia team has developed an array of methods and infrastructure to provide free services to researchers working in resource-limited settings, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our mission is to speed up drug discovery for global health threats such as malaria, tuberculosis, and antimicrobial resistance.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced
Programmes & Partnerships Manager
to strengthen Ersilia’s capacity to design, fund, and deliver impactful global health and data science programmes.
This is a new senior role that will work closely with the Executive and Scientific Director to
build and manage Ersilia’s flagship initiatives, starting with the capacity building programmes aimed at empowering African researchers to apply AI tools in biomedical research. The role will evolve to oversee additional strategic projects, partnerships, and fundraising efforts as Ersilia expands its reach.
The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with strong operational execution, excellent relationship-building skills, and a passion for advancing science and technology for global health.
Key Responsibilities
Program development and management
Lead the design, planning, and implementation of Ersilia’s capacity building and partnership programmes in Africa
Coordinate project timelines, deliverables, and team contributions.
Oversee participant engagement, training logistics, and impact monitoring.
Support preparation of scientific and impact reports for donors and stakeholders.
Develop systems for effective project tracking and documentation.
Fundraising and resource mobilisation
Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities from philanthropic foundations, bilateral donors, and private sector partners.
Draft and manage grant proposals, budgets, and donor reports.
Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential funders.
Contribute to Ersilia’s overall fundraising and sustainability strategy.
Partnerships and stakeholder engagement
Represent Ersilia in meetings, conferences, and external collaborations.
Strengthen partnerships with research institutions, funders, and capacity building networks in Africa and globally.
Develop and maintain an active network of collaborators, mentors, and programme alumni.
Liaise with communications and scientific teams to ensure alignment between outreach, partnerships, and technical activities.
Operational oversight
Manage programme budgets and ensure compliance with internal and donor requirements.
Oversee logistics for events, workshops, and travel related to Ersilia’s initiatives.
Contribute to organisational planning and internal process improvements.
What are we looking for?
Essential qualifications
Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.G., Public Health, Global Health, International Development, Biomedical Sciences, Project Management, or similar).
Minimum 3 years of experience managing international programmes, ideally in the research, non-profit, or global health sectors.
Demonstrated experience in fundraising, proposal writing, and donor management.
Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex projects.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and follow-through.
Desirable qualifications
Experience working with partners or projects in Africa.
Familiarity with capacity building, training, or mentoring programmes.
Understanding of AI/ML, data science, or biomedicine (technical expertise not required).
Experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E;) or impact reporting.
Additional languages (Catalan, French, Spanish, or Portuguese) are an advantage.
We know that diverse teams build stronger organizations and have a bigger impact. If you’re excited about Ersilia’s mission and this role, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed,
we still encourage you to apply. You may be the perfect candidate for this or other opportunities at Ersilia.
What we offer
Opportunity to lead and shape high-impact programmes at the intersection of AI, global health, and scientific capacity building.
Collaborative, mission-driven environment within a small, dynamic team.
Autonomy and ownership over programme development and fundraising strategies.
Adaptable working hours and hybrid setup (minimum 3 days in office).
Great office space at Norrsken House, Barcelona.