At Kenyon, we’ve dedicated over 100 years to delivering rapid, effective, and compassionate disaster response efforts of the highest standard, making us one of the world’s most experienced and respected crisis management partners. The work we do wouldn’t be possible without our Kenyon Responder Programme, made up of remarkable individuals willing to offer their skills and expertise when it’s needed most. Our Kenyon Responders support full-time Kenyon staff in responding to the exact requirements of any disaster, playing a pivotal role in every facet of the company’s work, in all corners of the world, and under any conditions.
Becoming a Kenyon Responder opens the door to some of the most demanding yet deeply fulfilling experiences imaginable. It’s about rising to the challenge, offering a helping hand in the face of adversity, using your skills and experience to support critical humanitarian causes, and being an essential part of a meticulously orchestrated disaster response effort. It’s incredibly rewarding both personally and professionally, and our Kenyon Responders often express great pride in knowing they helped deliver the best possible outcome for those affected.
Kenyon Responders are paid competitive daily rates and typically work on two to three week deployments. Kenyon provides all travel, meals, lodging, insurance, and visas. Being a Kenyon Responder means joining a global team of professionals working tirelessly towards a common goal – helping those affected by crises as they embark on their journey to recovery.
We are always seeking committed and talented individuals to join our network of Kenyon Responders. We accept applications in all functional and speciality areas, and you’ll find an application link as well as information on the specific opportunities we are recruiting for and answers to some FAQs below.
The registration process begins with an online application, followed by a follow-up interview and verification of your qualifications if required. Before starting the application, have your passport, immunisation history (if applicable), and resume or CV ready. The application process typically takes 15 minutes to complete, and you can save partial applications to finish later if needed. We wish you the best of luck and sincerely thank you for your interest.
We are currently working to fill specific Kenyon Responder roles in the following areas, but we also welcome applications from all other functional areas:
Accounting – Responsible for tracking expenditures in multiple currencies, compiling expense reports, handling cash, and managing accounts payable and receivable tasks.
Administration - Responsible for ordering and purchasing supplies, handling typing and filing tasks, answering phones, scheduling appointments, performing data entry and records management, and assisting with various translation and information technology functions.
Anthropologist – Responsible for assisting in the recovery of human remains, conducting examinations and identifications, collecting DNA reference samples, managing fragmented remains, and collaborating with other forensic specialists.
Archaeologist - Responsible for planning and conducting field recoveries of human remains from individual or mass burials, accidents, or incidents. This includes surveying, controlling excavation, and analysing data collected alongside other scientific specialists.
Autopsy Specialists - Responsible for assisting pathologists and collaborating closely with other forensic specialists and funeral directors. The role will include working with intact human remains as well as conducting checks on and accounting for fragmented human remains.
Child Care – Responsible for offering compassionate child care support to survivors and bereaved families, particularly in Family Assistance Centres.
Data Management - Responsible for database development and maintenance, creation and upkeep of hard copy files, as well as transcription services and support with general clerical and administrative duties as needed.
Dental Assistants - Responsible for assisting in forensic odontology examinations and aiding in the dental charting of deceased individuals to help with the identification process.
Embalmer - Responsible for embalming both intact and fragmented human remains and ensuring the completion of all required documents for the repatriation and final disposition of the deceased. You may also be responsible for handling personal effects.
Event Planner/Memorial Director - Responsible for planning large-scale private or public memorials for mass fatality events. Event planners work with a wide array of stakeholders, including different private and public entities and diverse religious or cultural groups.
Fingerprint Specialist - Responsible for collecting, examining, and identifying deceased individuals through fingerprint comparisons.
Forensic Coordinator - Responsible for overseeing the scientific side of mortuary operations.
Forensic Odontologists - Responsible for forensic odontology examinations of the deceased in the post-mortem process and the charting and comparing of ante-mortem and post-mortem records within the information management process.
Forensic Pathologist - Responsible for ensuring appropriate post-mortem medical examinations are conducted on all relevant deceased individuals.
Forensic Photographer - Responsible for photographically recording evidence at the incident scene and the mortuary, including photographing human remains.
Forensic Radiographer - Responsible for conducting body and dentition radiographs of the deceased.
Funeral Director - Responsible for working with families, authorities, and other funeral directors to gather families’ wishes for disposition, as well as completing all necessary documents and overseeing repatriations, interments, or cremations. You may also handle personal effects.
Incident Management Centre Staff - Responsible for staffing Kenyon or Client Operations Centres as well as coordinating and overseeing the administrative, logistical, and accounting operations between various field and office locations.
Information Technology - Responsible for providing information technology support to the incident site and Crisis Management Centre.
Logistics - Responsible for ordering and securing supplies, international shipping, storage, and distribution. This may also include the transportation of Kenyon Responders and family members.
Mental Health - Responsible for the essential provision of mental health support to survivors, family members, Kenyon Responders, and support staff.
Personal Effects Processing - Responsible for recording and coordinating the handling of personal effects located on the deceased or collected from the incident site.
Physician Assistant/Nurse/Medic - Responsible for providing urgent medical care to Kenyon Responders operating in challenging fields or severe conditions, as well as supporting victims or family members showing signs of medical distress in Family Assistance Centres.
Records Management - Responsible for the efficient and effective receipt, organisation, storage, and retrieval of information and data.
Search & Recovery - Responsible for searching, recording, accounting for, and transporting human remains and personal effects from various incident sites, which could include technical recoveries.
Special Assistance – Responsible for providing practical support at survivors' and bereaved families’ homes, Family Assistance Centres, and hospitals. This may include assisting in the collection of ante-mortem information and familial DNA references.
Translator - Responsible for reading, writing, and conversational translation with family members, Kenyon Responders, and government officials.
While the timing and location of the next incident remain uncertain, it’s a stark reality that another crisis will inevitably arise, and all we can do is ensure we are ready. Occasionally, we will have times when we aren’t running any active operations, but we are frequently working on multiple operations simultaneously.
We value the importance of training, and periodically run virtual training sessions and in person sessions from our Bracknell, UK and Houston, USA offices. When an event is planned, you’ll receive a notification with an opportunity to register.
Absolutely. Kenyon is ready to support any form of disaster, regardless of location, scale, or cause. Our extensive experience spans natural disasters, transportation incidents, terrorist attacks, and global health crises, so we are equipped for whatever challenge arises.
The answer is a resounding “yes”. Kenyon does not view non-profit volunteer agencies or government entities as competitors. In fact, many of our Kenyon Responders who deploy regularly come from government agencies, local emergency service authorities, and NGOs.
A typical deployment lasts two to three weeks, but you can elect to rotate back in after taking a break at home. Predicting deployment frequency is challenging, as it varies based on specific incident needs. Once our Kenyon First Responders arrive at the Incident Management Centre, a needs assessment guides the selection of Kenyon Responders. Factors such as your skills, experience, qualifications, and the functional areas specified in your Kenyon Responder profile determine your likelihood of being called. Location also plays a factor, with the Kenyon Responders with the required skills and qualifications closest to the incident site being called upon first.
Travel, accommodation and meals: If you are asked to deploy away from home, Kenyon will pay for and organise all travel, accommodation and meals.
Expenses: All necessary expenses will be reimbursed.
Immunisations: Kenyon Responders are responsible for organising and paying for their own immunisations. Please refer to the Kenyon Responder handbook if you have any questions about which immunisations are recommended or required.
Insurance: Kenyon has your safety and well-being covered. While deployed, you’re fully insured both onsite and during travel. If you are injured or require medical attention during deployment, immediately notify the Senior Incident Director, Team Lead, or Kenyon Responder Manager.
Visas: If you are deploying to a country that requires travel visas, we will secure this for you, allowing you to focus on your preparations.
Kenyon has an extensive inventory of equipment in our global warehouses, including pre-packaged kits ready for immediate shipping. Our warehouse operations team ensures that deployment teams are fully equipped, even for the unexpected. We will, however, advise you on personal items you’ll need to bring, including appropriate clothing for working conditions, weather, and possible memorial events.
While your experiences with Kenyon are deeply impactful, it’s important to note that any documents produced as a result of your association with Kenyon require approval from our leadership team or your Kenyon Responder Manager. We prioritise the privacy of those affected by the incidents we respond to. This may lead to restrictions on publications or references containing specific details, so that we can honour the wishes of those affected by the tragedy.
You do not need to have a go-bag ready at all times, as every effort will be made to provide you with sufficient time to pack. However, we advise considering or listing essential items, such as medications and other daily necessities, so you won’t forget anything in the haste of preparations.
We understand that you have other commitments, and if you cannot accept a deployment, rest assured that you remain an active and valued responder, eligible for future operations.
