Tech recruitment specialist with experience placing data and AI professionals across Kenya’s growing technology and international development sectors | Last updated: April 2026
Dalberg Data Insights is recruiting an AI Engineering Fellow for their Nairobi office, with the fellowship starting August 2026. This is a six-month paid programme at $800/month — structured as a rotation across data engineering, data science, and Gen AI roles, with the real goal of converting standout fellows into permanent hires. If you’re an early-career Python developer with strong analytical instincts and genuine interest in building AI-powered data solutions, this AI Engineering Fellow Dalberg Nairobi 2026 opportunity is worth your immediate attention.
About This Role
This isn’t a passive internship where you shadow senior staff and take notes. Dalberg expects fellows to become active members of technical project teams from day one — contributing to data pipelines, Gen AI solutions, and data visualization tools while rotating between data engineering, data science, and Gen AI specialist functions. You’ll participate in code reviews and are explicitly encouraged to bring fresh perspectives that identify opportunities to improve existing workflows.
The work arrangement is hybrid — up to 3 days remote per week, with Tuesday as a fixed in-office day and remaining on-site days coordinated with your team.
Fellowship duration: 6 months Start date: August 2026 Salary: $800/month Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Key Responsibilities
- Join active technical project teams and contribute meaningfully from the start
- Rotate between data engineering, data science, and Gen AI specialist roles to build breadth across the technical stack
- Contribute to the development of data pipelines, Gen AI solutions, and data visualization tools
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to improving technical processes and standards
- Evaluate current workflows and identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency improvements
- Build and deliver data solutions using current technologies in Dalberg’s project environment
The rotation structure is what makes this fellowship distinctive. You’re not locked into one function — you’ll get hands-on exposure to the full data and AI delivery lifecycle across real client projects.
Required Qualifications
Essential — you must meet all of these to be competitive:
- Ability to solve analytical problems using quantitative or systematic approaches
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate your ideas and technical rationale clearly
- Strong data intuition — the ability to ask the right questions of a dataset before touching code
- Experience working with Python to solve analytical problems
Dalberg is explicit: anyone fulfilling the essential qualifications is encouraged to apply, regardless of whether they meet the desirable criteria. Don’t self-select out if your Python skills are solid but your Gen AI exposure is limited.
Desirable — these will strengthen your application:
- 0–2 years of experience working with Gen AI solutions
- Built or contributed to algorithms, automated analyses, or data pipelines
- Involved in the design and delivery of full-stack applications
- Comfortable with multiple object-oriented languages including Python, Java, and JavaScript, plus scripting languages like SQL, HTML, and CSS
- Deep statistical knowledge
The Gen AI experience range of 0–2 years signals this is genuinely an early-career programme — not a disguised mid-level hire. If you’ve been building personal projects with LLMs, RAG pipelines, or AI APIs, document those clearly in your application even if they’re not from formal employment.
Application Process
Dalberg runs a structured four-stage selection process for this fellowship:
Stage 1 — CV Screening: Your application is reviewed based on CV and relevant experience.
Stage 2 — Test Assignment: Shortlisted candidates complete a case study assignment demonstrating technical and analytical skills. This is the most significant filter — prepare for a real problem, not a quiz.
Stage 3 — Technical Interview: A 60-minute deep-dive with the technical team for candidates who pass the test assignment.
Stage 4 — Culture Alignment Interview: A 30-minute final conversation to assess fit with Dalberg’s team culture and values.
Allow adequate time to prepare for the test assignment — it will likely involve Python, data analysis, and potentially a Gen AI component given the fellowship scope.
What Happens After the Fellowship?
Full-time employment is not guaranteed, but Dalberg is transparent about their intent: fellows who excel are considered for permanent technical positions. The assessment goes beyond technical performance — they evaluate using a GWC framework:
- Get it — do you understand the technical requirements and challenges of the role?
- Want it — do you genuinely want to build and excel in technical data solutions?
- Capacity to do it — do you have the skills and the desire to keep growing?
Regardless of whether a permanent offer follows, every fellow leaves with six months of hands-on AI and data engineering experience on real projects at a globally respected firm — which is a strong foundation for a data career in Kenya or internationally.
What They Offer
- Monthly salary: $800 (approximately KES 103,000–105,000 at current exchange rates — verify before your interview)
- Duration: 6 months
- Work arrangement: Hybrid — up to 3 days remote per week
- Opportunity for permanent employment upon successful completion
- Mentorship, skills development, and exposure to international development data projects
- Nairobi office base
For AI and data engineering salary benchmarking in Kenya’s tech sector, LinkedIn Salary carries increasingly useful reference data as the market matures. Globally, Glassdoor has Dalberg-specific compensation data worth reviewing.
How to Apply
Apply directly via Dalberg Data Insights’ official fellowship programme page. Full application details, programme information, and the application form are available at their official portal.
Key subject/reference: AI Engineering Fellow — August 2026 Start date: August 2026 Applications: Via Dalberg’s official AI Fellowship page
The application is competitive and multi-stage. Start with a strong CV that leads with your Python projects, analytical problem-solving experience, and any data or AI work — even personal or academic projects count at this level.
About Dalberg Data Insights
Dalberg Data Insights is the data and technology arm of the Dalberg Group — a global advisory and research firm that works with governments, foundations, NGOs, and private sector clients on development challenges across Africa, Asia, and beyond. The Nairobi office is one of Dalberg’s key African hubs, working on data-driven projects across health, agriculture, financial inclusion, and governance. Dalberg is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages candidates of all genders, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.
