Security Incident Handler

The Organization and Role

About Access Now 

Access Now defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk. As a grassroots-to-global organization, we partner with local actors to bring a human rights agenda to the use, development, and governance of digital technologies, and to intervene where technologies adversely impact our human rights. By combining direct technical support, strategic advocacy, grassroots grantmaking, and convenings such as RightsCon, we fight for human rights in the digital age.

About this role 

The Security Incident Handler is responsible for providing digital security advice and emergency incident response to civil society groups around the globe as part of Access Now’s 24/7 Digital Security Helpline. The Incident Handler functions as part of the larger team, while representing a real-time, regional presence for time zones around the world. 
The Security Incident Handler reports through the assigned regional Digital Security Helpline Manager, and through Access Now’s senior Tech managers as appropriate. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Provide amazing technical advice and service to human rights defenders around the world through the following: 

• Perform incident rapid response duties via various communications methods such as email, chat, audio and video 
• Provide risk assessments and give digital security advice and recommendations, in written and verbal formats 
• Give security and awareness training to clients 
• Be available for travel globally 
• Possess the ability to work on a flexible, shift schedule 
• Keep technical knowledge and skills up to date 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics 

As Security Incident Handler you must be dedicated to our mission and have an unshakable integrity and personal ethics. 

• Responsible and resourceful, and well organized 
• Prior experience working with, or interest in supporting women and/or queer communities, civil society, and human rights defender organizations in the region is preferred 
• Skills in gender analysis and awareness 
• Strong cultural understanding and experience across the region 
• Strong English written and verbal communication skills 
• Speaking Swahili is a plus to this position
• Excellent communication skills that are best put to the test in high stress emergency environments
• Experience working in incident response or customer support escalation teams
• Interest in training and user education 
• Essential technical skills include troubleshooting and analyzing complex and time-sensitive issues, familiarity with Microsoft Windows (XP – 10), MacOS, and Linux-based operating systems 
• Familiarity with anonymity and circumvention tools, security technologies, risk assessment frameworks is an advantage 

The Details

Location

This is a full-time position, with preference for Nairobi, Kenya. The successful candidate must possess the right to work in the location in which they will be based. At this time most Access Now Team Members are working through hybrid office arrangements, combining remote at-home work with intermittent use of offices and/or co-working spaces. 

Remuneration

Access Now offers competitive compensation and benefits packages that align competitively with locations and regions around the world. Location-specific examples of initial placement within the salary range for this role include:

• $2350 USD gross monthly (Kenya)

Benefits for this specific role are tied to the location, and will vary. Regardless of location, all Team Members benefit from a strong global culture aligned around:

• Work-life balance...including a generous paid time-off program between 36 and 40 days annually
• Access to supplemental health care insurance policies
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Extensive workplace flexibility
• Organizational resilience and support for all team members, including paid family leave and employee assistance programs 
  
• Connection to a diverse, global team of passionate, principled professionals
  
• Opportunities to recharge (including one month of paid refresher leave after 4 years)

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• Résumé/CV (removing all personally identifying information such as age, gender, marital status, address, and photo)
• Thoughtful cover letter outlining your suitability for our role, with particular attention to your experience aligning to the core functions

Our hiring teams review applications submitted through our Career Openings page; email submissions are not accepted. Please note that if you are applying via a link in a 3rd party system (examples: Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Snaphunt, Zip Recruiter), be sure that you are going through the application link in BambooHR so that you are properly uploading a distinct Cover Letter and a separate CV/Resume.

In order for us to communicate with you on the status of your application, please add apps.bamboohr.com to your contacts list, and check spam or junk folders so that you do not miss updates from us.

We are a global human rights organization committed to inclusivity and equity, and seek the most talented team members who bring their true selves, with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We are interested in receiving applications from people who consider themselves as under-represented in their talent communities. As an equal opportunity employer, we value and encourage diversity and consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. Our commitment applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination. 

Published 2025-07-28