Product Manager

Support a startup providing accessible mental healthcare solutions across Africa

CogniX leverages innovative technology to provide accessible, personalized mental healthcare solutions across Africa, empowering individuals and communities to improve their well-being.

CogniX addresses the critical social challenge of limited access to mental healthcare across Africa. With a significant shortage of mental health professionals and widespread stigma surrounding mental health, millions of people in underserved communities lack the support they need. Our platform bridges this gap by providing accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive mental health solutions. By empowering individuals and communities to prioritize mental well-being, we aim to reduce stigma, improve mental health outcomes, and foster healthier, more resilient communities across Africa. Additionally, our approach promotes environmental sustainability by reducing the need for physical infrastructure in delivering mental health services.

CogniX offers a transformative solution to Africa’s mental healthcare crisis through our comprehensive mobile platform, "Beyond Self." The app connects users with licensed mental health professionals via teletherapy, offering accessible and affordable care regardless of geographic location. Our AI-powered recommendation system matches users with the best-fit therapists based on their needs, while features like mental health tracking, community support, and educational content foster ongoing wellness. Additionally, Beyond Self includes e-pharmacy integration, crisis support, and the use of emerging technologies like VR/AR for immersive therapy experiences, ensuring a holistic and scalable approach to mental health in Africa.

Role (Volunteer): Product Manager.

Role Description: CogniX is seeking a proactive and organized Volunteer Project/Product Manager to lead and coordinate the development of our AI-powered mental health platform. You will drive team collaboration, streamline delivery processes, and ensure smooth execution of product features across engineering, design, and AI teams.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, mental health, and digital innovation, supporting a diverse and talented team delivering life-changing technology across Africa.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee end-to-end project management, including sprint planning, backlog grooming, ticket creation, and milestone tracking.
• Create and manage tickets/user stories for engineering and design teams using ZenTao PM/Jira, or GitHub Projects.
• Facilitate daily standups, sprint reviews, retrospectives, and roadmap alignment meetings based on Scrum/Agile best practices.
• Ensure transparent, consistent communication across teams using tools like Microsoft Teams and email.
• Collaborate with AI engineers, frontend/backend developers, and UI/UX designers to ensure clear handoffs, timely delivery, and scope alignment.
• Track progress on features like chat systems, mental health assessments, journaling tools, and secure authentication flows.
• Manage documentation for technical specifications, retrospectives, onboarding guides, and feedback logs.
• Identify risks/blockers early and work cross-functionally to resolve them proactively.

Ideal Experience:

• Proven experience managing software or AI/ML, or digital health projects (volunteer or professional).
• Comfortable using collaborative tools such as:
• Microsoft Teams, ZenTao PM/Jira, GitHub Projects.
• Figma (for design handoffs).
• Core understanding of Scrum and Agile methodologies (Scrum certification is a plus).
• Familiarity with developer workflows (e.g., GitHub PRs, Tickets) and REST API integration cycles is a bonus.
• Bonus: exposure to healthcare products, healthcare compliance (HIPAA/GDPR), or technical environments involving LLMs and RAG systems.

Key Qualities:

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Technically literate—can collaborate comfortably with devs, designers, and AI/ML engineers.
• Clear communicator and proactive problem solver.
• Passion for digital mental health, ethical tech, and impact-driven product development.
• Able to manage remote contributors and coordinate across time zones.
• Calm under pressure, flexible, and focused on results.

Benefits:

• Make a real impact: Help build one of Africa’s most innovative mental health platforms.
• Mentorship & peer support: Collaborate with engineers, designers, and founders, and receive professional references and recognition.
• Career growth: Potential for future full-time placement after funding rounds. Eligible for ChangeMakers Award nominations.
• Flexible remote work: ~10+ hours/week with asynchronous coordination.
• Build your portfolio: Lead agile execution on a real-world AI healthtech product used across the continent.

Time Commitment: Volunteer 10+ hours per week for 3-5 months remotely

If you want to make change, apply to volunteer with CogniX!