Job description

Senior Engineer – Security Operation Center at United States International University

USIU Africa

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USIU Africa

Posted: Aug 2, 2026

Deadline: Aug 8, 2026

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United States International University

Africa is located in the Kasarani area, off Thika Road in the suburb of Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. The university is an independent, not-for-profit institution serving 6512 students representing 69 nationalities. It offers 24 degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral level, all of which are accredi...

Job Summary

The ideal candidate should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Security or a related field, with a minimum of four (4) years’ experience in a full-time information security role and at least two (2) years of experience in a Security Operations Centre (SOC) role. Relevant professional certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or CHFI are required, with additional certifications (e.g., CISM, LPT, OSCP) being highly desirable. The candidate must possess advanced knowledge of IT security monitoring tools, including SIEM, SOAR, EDR solutions, and enterprise antivirus systems. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Experience working in a higher education environment will be an added advantage.

Job Purpose

The Senior SOC Analyst at USIU-Africa plays a pivotal role in maintaining the security of the university’s information systems. This position involves proactive monitoring, incident detection, analysis, and response to ensure that the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of IT resources are maintained at all times. The Senior SOC Analyst will work closely with other IT Division technical teams to enhance security measures and address potential vulnerabilities within the university’s digital ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities/Tasks/Duties

Security Monitoring and Threat Detection

Work in 24/7 rotational shifts to monitor security alerts generated by various security tools deployed within the university.

Respond promptly to security alerts within defined procedural SLAs and policies.

Conduct continuous monitoring to detect and mitigate potential threats.

Incident Response Support

Investigate security incidents to determine their source, scope, and impact.

Develop and implement incident response plans to mitigate security threats.

Conduct vulnerability and risk assessment exercises to preemptively identify risks.

Collaborate with internal teams to manage and remediate security breaches and incidents.

Security Tools and Technologies

Maintain and optimize security tools, including

SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)

IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems)

EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response Solutions)

Identify and correlate security events to ensure prompt response to threats.

Continuously improve security measures based on analysis of system vulnerabilities.

Security Operations Administration

Maintain cybersecurity asset inventories and documentation.

Support onboarding of log sources into monitoring platforms.

Support administration of cybersecurity platforms as assigned.

Log Analysis

Review system logs from different sources to analyze behaviour and detect policy violations.

Take corrective action based on log analysis insights to mitigate security threats.

Threat Intelligence Research

Monitor and research emerging attack patterns and cyber threats.

Stay up to date with industry best practices and trends in cybersecurity.

Implement proactive threat intelligence measures to mitigate evolving security risks.

Compliance and Governance

Assist in implementing incident response procedures.

Ensure that the university’s Information Security efforts comply with relevant industry standards and regulations.

Manage General IT Controls (ITC) to maintain robust security governance.

Key Relationships

Key Internal Stakeholders

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the IT Division, university departments, schools, and administrative units to ensure effective security service delivery and support the institution’s strategic objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required for the Role

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Information Security or a related field from a recognized university.

Master’s Degree in Information Security or a related field will be an added advantage.

Professional Certifications

Relevant professional certification such as CISSP, CEH, or CHFI.

Additional industry certifications (e.g., CISM, LPT, OSCP) are highly desirable.

Membership in a recognized professional body.

Work Experience

Minimum of four (4) years of experience in a full-time information security role.

At least two (2) years of experience in a Security Operations Centre (SOC) role.

Experience working in a higher education environment will be an added advantage.

Technical Competencies

Advanced knowledge and experience in deploying and managing IT Security monitoring tools, including:

SIEM solutions

SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response)

Enterprise antivirus systems

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions

Strong knowledge of

Networks, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems

Web proxies, Windows, and Linux systems (both on-premise and cloud-based)

Familiarity with Information Security and Privacy best practices and laws, especially within a higher education context.

Experience with risk management frameworks, including

NIST SP-800

ISO 27001

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

Soft Skills and Competencies

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Ability to present complex technical information in a clear and concise manner.

Strong attention to detail.

High level of integrity and professionalism.

Willingness to learn and develop cybersecurity expertise.

Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Competencies Required for this Role

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.