Ready to be a part of building the internet backbone of East Africa? Apply now for iXAfrica’s 6-month paid IT Internship in Data Centre Operations! Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies like Python, Kubernetes, and open-source security tools in our AI-ready, hyper-scale Nairobi data centre.
iXAfrica provides world-class and highly resilient Data Centre infrastructure to create a vital part of the internet backbone of East Africa. iXAfrica Data Centres in Nairobi, is East Africas’s leading AI-ready, Hyper-scale, Carrier-neutral facility & the latest digital habitat for Sovereign cloud, colocation, and connectivity.
IT Intern — Data Centre Operations
6-month Paid Internship
Location: On-site, Nairobi (iXAfrica Data Centre – NBOX1)
ROLE OVERVIEW
We are seeking a technically driven IT Intern to support data centre operations with a strong emphasis on automation, systems development, open-source tooling, and cybersecurity. This is a hands-on role designed to provide real-world exposure to enterprise infrastructure environments.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the development and maintenance of automation scripts using Python, Bash, and Ansible to streamline data centre operations
- Deploy, configure, and manage open-source infrastructure tools including Terraform, Prometheus, Grafana, and Netdata for monitoring and provisioning
- Support the implementation of CI/CD pipelines using Git, Jenkins, and GitLab CI for system and application deployments
- Participate in server lifecycle management — provisioning, patching, decommissioning — across bare-metal and virtualised environments (KVM, Proxmox)
- Contribute to containerisation and orchestration initiatives using Docker and Kubernetes
- Assist with log aggregation and analysis using ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) or equivalent open-source solutions
CYBERSECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support vulnerability scanning and remediation activities using open-source tools such as OpenVAS, Nmap, and Trivy
- Assist in the monitoring of SIEM dashboards (Wazuh / Security Onion) for anomaly detection and incident triage
- Apply CIS Benchmark hardening guidelines to Linux servers (Ubuntu / CentOS / Rocky Linux)
- Participate in access control reviews — enforcing least-privilege principles across user, service, and API accounts
- Document and report security incidents in accordance with established SOPs and escalation procedures
REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Proficiency in Linux command line (Bash / Zsh); comfortable navigating and administering server environments
- Working knowledge of at least one scripting/programming language — Python strongly preferred
- Familiarity with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows (branching, pull requests, code review)
- Understanding of TCP/IP networking fundamentals: DNS, DHCP, subnetting, routing protocols
- Basic knowledge of virtualisation technologies (VMware, KVM, Proxmox, or equivalent)
- Android application development experience using Kotlin or Java, with knowledge of Android Studio, Jetpack libraries, and the Android SDK
- Familiarity with RESTful API integration, JSON parsing, and connecting mobile applications to backend or data centre services
OPEN-SOURCE TOOLS & PLATFORMS
- Monitoring & Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, Netdata, Zabbix
- Automation & IaC: Ansible, Terraform, Puppet
- Containerisation: Docker, Kubernetes (K3s / K8s), Helm
- CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab CI, Drone CI
- Security: Wazuh, OpenVAS, Nmap, Fail2Ban, Suricata
- Logging: ELK Stack, Graylog, Loki + Promtail
- OS Platforms: Ubuntu Server, Rocky Linux, Debian, Alpine Linux
QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION
- Currently enrolled in or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field
- Demonstrable interest in infrastructure, automation, cybersecurity, and/or mobile development through coursework, personal projects, or CTF participation
- Active GitHub account with publicly visible repositories showcasing personal or academic projects — this is mandatory for application consideration
- Hands-on experience with Android app development (Kotlin preferred); ability to build, test, and deploy functional Android applications
- Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced technical environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills — ability to document technical processes clearly
