The posting
1. About Us
Shelter For Life International (SFL) is an international faith-based relief and development organization with over 30 years' experience in providing sustainable development and humanitarian assistance to post-conflict countries around the world. We are currently operational in Afghanistan, West Africa, and Ukraine, with headquarters located in Minnetonka, MN, USA. Our team provides support and assistance in the following areas:
- Population Movement and Settlement
- Public Infrastructure Reconstruction
- Economic and Social Development
Our mission is to demonstrate God's love by enabling people affected by conflict and disaster to restore their lives and rebuild their communities. To learn more about us, please visit www.shelter.org.
2. Position Summary
Shelter For Life International (SFL) is anticipating a project in West Africa with a focus on managing migrant movement within the region. Included in the Project's objectives will be structured movement and resettlement of migrants within and outside Guinea-Bissau, while providing basic food, shelter, and other humanitarian assistance.
Shelter For Life is seeking a Government Liaison and Security Manager to secure and maintain the permissions the project needs to operate and to manage the safety and security of its staff, assets and operations. The Manager will maintain working relationships with national and local authorities, obtain the registrations, permits and movement authorizations required for structured movement of migrants, lead security risk management across all project locations and lead on Human Resource (HR) provision within the Team. The position combines external representation with operational security management and reports to the Project Manager. The position will be based in Bissau city, Guinea-Bissau.
3. Areas of Responsibility
Government Liaison and Permissions
- Obtain and maintain the registrations, permits, visas and authorizations required for the project and its staff to operate.
- Maintain working relationships with relevant ministries, immigration and border authorities, and local administrations.
- Secure movement authorizations required for the structured movement and resettlement of migrants.
- Prepare and maintain memoranda of understanding and other formal agreements with authorities, in coordination with the Project Manager.
- Advise project management on regulatory changes affecting project operations.
Security Risk Management
- Conduct and regularly update security risk assessments for all project locations and routes.
- Develop, maintain and test security standard operating procedures, contingency plans and evacuation plans.
- Monitor the security environment and issue timely advisories to project management and staff.
- Operate travel clearance and movement tracking procedures for staff and vehicles.
- Record, investigate and report security incidents, and ensure lessons are applied.
Access and Acceptance
- Conduct stakeholder mapping and build community acceptance for reception and distribution sites.
- Negotiate and maintain safe access to project locations.
- Advise on the security implications of site selection and distribution planning.
Human Resources
- Manage human resource operations by recruiting, selecting, orientation training, indirect supervision and disciplining staff.
- Design clear and transparent systems for employee evaluation, compensation, recognition and retention systems.
- Develop organizational strategies by identifying and researching human resource issues; provide information, analysis and recommendations to the strategic thinking and direction of the organization and set human resource objectives consistent with SFL goals;
- Support management by providing advice, guidance and decisions on human resource matters, taking into account management concerns regarding precedent setting, cross-cultural norms, etc.
- Effectively document and communicate HR policies, procedures and protocols to all team members
- Identify appropriate HR systems to be put in place to facilitate contractual obligations (renewals, terminations, new contacts, etc.), resume submission of accounting/payroll, employee timekeeping and information compilation, information, HR Data.
- Comply with national, district and local legal requirements by reviewing existing and new legislation; anticipating legislation; enforcing requirements; advising management on necessary management actions.
- Ensure a high level of staff safety, welfare, well-being and health by implementing staffing support programs and systems.
Staff Safety and Briefing
- Deliver security induction briefings to all new staff and visitors.
- Organise security training for staff, including field teams working at reception and distribution points.
- Manage contracted guarding services and site security arrangements.
Coordination and Representation
- Represent SFL in security coordination forums and maintain contact with relevant security information networks between NGOs and the government.
- Coordinate with other humanitarian actors on shared access and security concerns.
- Represent SFL to authorities on operational matters as delegated by the Project Manager.
4. Education and Experience Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in political science, international relations, security management, law, public administration, human resources or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of professional experience in government liaison, security management, HR or all three, of which at least three years in a humanitarian context in West Africa.
- Demonstrated working relationships with Guinea Bissau government institutions are strongly preferred.
- Formal security risk management or hostile environment training is preferred.
- At least 2 years of professional experience in the field of human resources management.
- Strong experience in hiring, training and retaining employees and terminating employees as needed
- Excellent experience and knowledge of human resource systems, staff time accounting software accounting software, resume submission software and accounting/payroll software, as well as accounting/payroll software, as well as additional tools for managing personnel files, contracts personnel files, contracts, etc.
- Excellent knowledge of Guinea Bissau labor and tax laws and the legal obligations of employers
- Experience in negotiation tactics, and conflict resolution
- Demonstrates a high degree of confidentiality in interpersonal interactions and excellent written and spoken English
5. Personal Skills and Abilities
- Strong negotiation, diplomacy and representation skills.
- Sound judgement under pressure and the ability to make timely decisions with incomplete information.
- Clear written reporting, including incident reports and security advisories.
- Discretion in handling confidential information, including information concerning beneficiaries.
- Portuguese and Guinea-Bissau Creole required. Working proficiency in English required. French is a strong asset.
- Valid driving license.
SFL is interested in applicants whose professional ethics, values, and determination to achieve impact are evident and aligned with organizational priorities.
6. Additional Notes
- This position is contingent upon donor funding and final award of the project.
- The position requires frequent travel within Guinea Bissau, including to border and reception areas, and availability outside normal working hours in the event of an incident.
- The post-holder will be subject to enhanced background checks and a confidentiality undertaking.
- Liaison with authorities does not extend to sharing beneficiary personal data. Any external request for beneficiary information is referred to the Project Manager and handled under the project data protection procedure.
7. How to Apply
Please apply through SFL’s online application portal at the Application link. Applications sent by email or by any other means will not be considered.
Upload your resume and a cover letter, both in English. Your resume should present your work experience in chronological order, with enough detail for the review team to assess your qualifications and experience. Your cover letter should describe how your professional experience relates to the areas set out in the Position Summary above. Please include the name, telephone number, and email address of at least two references who do not work for your current employer.
Applications must be submitted by November 19, 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
8. Notes to Applicants
We appreciate your interest in joining the Shelter For Life team. Applications will be reviewed carefully, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Shelter For Life International is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages female candidates and individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
SFL is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people in the communities we serve, including children and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and applicable background checks.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be reviewed and amended by SFL as the needs of the organization require. The post-holder may be asked to carry out other reasonable duties appropriate to the role.
