Cybersecurity Technical Mentor

ALX Africa; Remote; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Part time

Job summary

A non-profit organization is looking for a Technical Mentor in Cybersecurity to provide guidance and foster peer learning among young African professionals. This fully remote role involves facilitating study sessions, mentoring learners, and promoting community engagement on cybersecurity best practices. Proficiency with tools like Kali Linux and hands-on experience in threat analysis are key requirements. Join us in empowering future cybersecurity experts in Africa.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on cybersecurity experience.
• Willingness to guide and mentor young professionals.
• Comfortable facilitating online sessions and discussions.

Responsibilities

• Provide tool-specific guidance on cybersecurity platforms.
• Support learners through study sessions and modules.
• Encourage peer learning and engagement within the community.

Skills

Proficiency with at least one key cybersecurity tool

Knowledge of security frameworks

Practical experience in vulnerability assessment

Comfortable guiding learners on applying security tools

Experience in reviewing learner work

Tools

Kali Linux

Metasploit

Wireshark

Splunk

Job description

Do you have solid, hands‑on experience in cybersecurity and a genuine interest in guiding the next generation of African talent? Are you excited to share your knowledge in areas such as threat analysis, vulnerability management, incident response, and security best practices, while fostering community and peer learning? Do you enjoy driving engagement through meaningful discussions, resource sharing, and practical mentorship? Are you a proactive self‑starter who thrives in a fully remote, collaborative setting and wants to help equip thousands of young Africans with industry‑ready security skills? If this sounds like you, then you may be an excellent fit for this role.

ABOUT ALX AFRICA

ALX Africa, a non‑profit organisation under the ALX Foundation, is dedicated to unlocking the potential of Africa's digital future. Formerly part of Sand Tech Holdings, we've embarked on an independent journey to provide world‑class tech skills training and career acceleration programmes. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide, upskill and re‑skill talent, and create a generation of innovative leaders. By 2030, we aim to empower 2 million Africans to secure sustainable tech careers.

With hubs in 8 cities across Africa and counting, we provide safe access to quality learning and a dedicated network of expert instructors. Our innovative programmes equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving tech industry. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, industry partnerships, and hands‑on projects, we prepare our students for in‑demand roles in software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

We achieve this by:

• Providing young professionals with access to the most in‑demand tech skills that will power the future.
• Empowering the next generation of technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders through challenging, real‑world coursework.
• Building a lifelong, impactful community of tech professionals that supports them at all stages of their career journey.

Our Impact thus far:

• 205k+ learners since 2021
• 13k youth starting own ventures
• 66k youth in jobs through entrepreneurship

As a Technical Mentor in the Cybersecurity program, you will take on the responsibility of providing technical guidance to our learners while also fostering peer learning and community engagement. You’ll collaborate with Program Managers, Program Operations Specialists, Community and Learner Support teams, and fellow mentors to create a supportive, collaborative, and learner‑centred environment.

This role is suited for experienced cybersecurity professionals who enjoy sharing knowledge and building strong learning communities. You’ll support learners through group mentorship, facilitate peer connection, and contribute light community content to help spark conversation and engagement.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide tool‑specific guidance on cybersecurity platforms and software, such as Kali Linux.
• Facilitate support sessions and weekly webinars focused on helping learners progress through their weekly cybersecurity modules and apply concepts in practical scenarios.
• Share resources, tutorials, or process tips aligned with the weekly learning objectives.
• Support learners in developing the professional knowledge and practical skills required for entry into the cybersecurity industry.
• Prompt E‑hub discussions on security best practices, ethical hacking, risk management, and real‑world cyber defense scenarios.
• Review and assess learning platform content for accuracy, relevance, and audience fit, correct errors, and provide feedback to the curriculum team to improve overall quality.

Technical Support (60%)

• Facilitate 1–2 weekly study sessions or content walkthroughs focused on core cybersecurity topics or challenges raised by learners.
• Provide asynchronous technical guidance on E‑hub, answering questions related to tools, workflows, assignments, and practical security exercises.
• Review the curriculum weekly to identify broken links, software issues, or unclear instructions, and suggest improvements as needed.
• Recommend additional tools, platforms, or techniques that align with program objectives and enhance learning outcomes.
• Share insights with Program Managers on recurring learner challenges and areas where the curriculum may need clarification or extra support.

Community Engagement & Peer Facilitation (40%)

• Maintain a daily presence on E‑hub, encouraging learners to share their insights, ask questions, and support one another.
• Foster a culture of peer‑to‑peer collaboration, guiding learners to engage constructively and recognize helpful contributions.
• Support live community events, such as cybersecurity workshops, panel discussions, or portfolio reviews.
• Post community content items per week, such as security tips, a tool spotlight, a best practice framework, or share resources.
• Collaborate with Program Managers and Program Delivery Interns to ensure consistent tone, engagement rhythm, and alignment with learner needs.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Proficiency with at least one key cybersecurity tool or platform (e.g., Wireshark, Metasploit, Kali Linux, Splunk).
• Knowledge of security frameworks, threat analysis techniques, and common cybersecurity workflows.
• Practical experience in areas such as vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, or incident response.
• Comfortable guiding learners on applying security tools, analyzing threats, and implementing best practices in real‑world scenarios.
• Background as a cybersecurity professional or IT security practitioner with hands‑on experience in practical security tasks, either in the red team or the blue team.
• Experience reviewing learner work, guiding exercises, or providing feedback on hands‑on security tasks and labs.
• Familiarity with basic cybersecurity concepts, tools, and best practices, including safe handling of data and adherence to security guidelines.

Person Specification/ Attribute

• Courage: Willingness to speak up, challenge the status quo, and embrace new challenges.
• Humility: Openness to learning, seeking help when needed, and a focus on serving others.
• Adventure: A passion for setting ambitious goals, tackling difficult tasks, and finding joy in the journey.
• Initiative: Proactive problem‑solving, a sense of ownership, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, persevere through challenges, and emerge stronger.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

This role is a Freelancer position.

WORK HOURS

The required work hours are 40 hours per week.

PREFERRED TIME ZONES

The preferred time zones are GMT -2 to GMT +3.

As this is a fully remote role, the successful applicant must be highly self‑motivated, organized, and comfortable working in a digital‑first environment. You will report directly to your program manager and collaborate with cross‑functional teams using tools such as Zoom, Slack, email, and Circle/E‑hub. Communication is key; success in this role depends on your ability to stay connected, proactively share updates, and engage meaningfully with both teammates and learners. You’ll be encouraged to continuously grow your skills and pursue certifications that support your professional development.

Disclaimer: ALX Africa does not charge fees or request payments at any stage of hiring. Be cautious of anyone claiming otherwise. Report suspicious activity [e-mail]

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