WACREN is recruiting a Systems & Security Engineer to strengthen the operation, reliability, and security of its shared digital infrastructure serving research and education communities across West and Central Africa. This is a hands-on, mid-level role focused on running production systems, including WACREN’s Proxmox-based virtualisation clusters, while reinforcing baseline cybersecurity practices. You will expand a currently lean sysops team, taking direct responsibility for stabilising and operating core infrastructure. Role Summary You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of WACREN’s infrastructure, including clustered virtualisation environments, distributed storage, and cloud services, while contributing to foundational security controls. Alongside infrastructure operations, you will support flagship services such as identity federation, repository hosting, and open science platforms. This role requires someone who can own and operate real systems, not just design them. Key Responsibilities Infrastructure & Systems Operations ● Administer Linux-based infrastructure across VMs, containers, and network services ● Operate and maintain Proxmox/KVM virtualisation clusters, including node management, clustering, and HA configurations ● Manage distributed storage systems (e.g. Ceph), backups, and disaster recovery processes ● Perform system hardening, patching, monitoring, and performance tuning ● Troubleshoot incidents across production environments Cloud & Platform Engineering Support and evolve WACREN Cloud infrastructure, including provisioning, scaling, and lifecycle management Contribute to hybrid infrastructure design (on-prem + cloud integration) Implement automation using infrastructure-as-code and CI/CD pipelines Improve reliability, fault tolerance, and service delivery Security Operations (Baseline) Implement system-level security controls across infrastructure and services Support vulnerability scanning, patch management, and remediation tracking Contribute to logging, monitoring, and incident response workflows Assist in defining and enforcing operational security practices Operational Support Respond to incidents and support requests with clear prioritisation Maintain documentation, runbooks, and system inventories Identify recurring issues and implement structural fixes Requirements 3–5 years experience in Linux systems administration and infrastructure operations Hands-on experience with Proxmox, KVM, or similar virtualisation platforms Experience with clustered environments and distributed storage (e.g. Ceph) Familiarity with containers (Docker) and networking fundamentals Exposure to cloud platforms or private cloud environments Working knowledge of automation tools (Ansible, Bash, Python) Understanding of system hardening and baseline security practices What This Role Offers Direct responsibility for core infrastructure powering regional research and education services Hands-on experience with clustered virtualisation and private cloud operations at scale Exposure to identity federation, repository hosting, and open science platforms Opportunity to shape WACREN’s foundational security posture Collaboration with a distributed, mission-driven technical team Engagement Details Duration: 24 months, renewable Location: Remote or WACREN Office (within WACREN member countries) Compensation: Competitive, based on experience How to Apply Send your application to vacancy@wacren.net with subject: Systems & Security Engineer – <Your Name> Deadline: May 29, 2026 Include: CV Cover letter (max. 500 words) Two professional references Selection Process Technical assessment (practical, infrastructure-focused) Interview (scenario-based, operations-heavy) Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; shortlisted candidates will be interviewed. Why Apply? This role offers a unique opportunity to operate and enhance mission-critical network infrastructure serving research and education institutions across Africa, while building advanced technical expertise and contributing to regional digital transformation.
