Digital Safety Specialist (MENA)

The Organization and Role

About Access Now

Access Now is a growing international human rights organization dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world, including issues of privacy, security, freedom of expression, and transparency. Our policy, advocacy, technology, and operations teams have staff presences in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East/North Africa.

About the Helpline

The Access Now Digital Security Helpline is a globally distributed team which provides 24/7 incident response, digital security advice, and implementation support for civil society around the world. It offers real-time, direct technical assistance and advice to civil society groups & activists, media organizations, journalists & bloggers, and human rights defenders.

About this role

The Digital Safety Specialist – also referred to as a 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. Digital Safety Specialists use the Helpline’s own documentation and team expertise to provide technical assistance and digital security advice, and respond to digital emergency incidents targeting the most at-risk.

The Digital Safety Specialist reports through the regional Digital Security Helpline Manager, and through Access Now’s senior Helpline managers as appropriate.

What you will do

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
• Keep technical knowledge and skills up to date

Skills, education, and mindset you will bring

As a top candidate you will bring:

• Interest in, or prior experience working with women and/or queer communities, civil society, and Human Rights defender organizations
• Experience in customer support under remote settings. Background in Computer Security Incident Response Team or Security Operations Center will be an advantage
• Technical understanding of the internet, and the digital threats faced by victims of human rights abuse and human rights activists and defenders
• Fluency (strong written and verbal communications) in English is essential; applicants who can speak and write in an additional language are at an advantage
• Interest in training and user education
• Strong cultural understanding and experience across the region of focus
• Solid understanding of end-user management of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Technical skills, including troubleshooting & familiarity with Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, MacOS, and Linux-based operating systems will be a plus
• Familiarity with community-led anonymity and circumvention tools, security technologies, risk assessment frameworks will be a plus
• Willingness to travel on occasion (once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted)
• Possess the ability to work on a flexible, shift schedule
• Available for travel globally

We expect candidates to have a level of education that, when combined with your professional experience, will show you have the capability to contribute meaningfully to the Access Now Digital Security Helpline and the users we support. This role is an entry- level position, perfect for an individual who is a quick-learner and excited by Access Now’s mission. You should be someone eager to provide amazing advice and service to human rights defenders around the world! You are an individual who is well-organized, has sensitive communication skills and an unshakable integrity and personal ethics.

The Details

Location

This is a full-time position, with flexibility for remote work locations around the Middle Eastern region and African Region, including Kenya. The successful candidate must possess the right to work in the location in which they will be based. We are unable to sponsor visas or relocations for this role.

Remuneration

Access Now offers competitive compensation, and offers broad benefits packages aligned with our regions and office localities.

Benefits for this role generally include paid healthcare – medical, dental, and vision insurance – among others. While specific compensation, supplementary insurance, and other benefits vary by region, all Access Now 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
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Extensive workplace flexibility
• Organizational resilience and support for all team members, including paid family leave and mental health/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), be sure 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.