Human Resource (HR) Services for International Companies and NGO’s In Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Nigeria, South Africa, and South Sudan)
Introduction
Africa is increasingly becoming an international hub for the East
African region, and many multinational companies are entering the region
using Kenya as the entry point for venturing into the area and
establishing a logistics center for regional operations. This article
explores the issues surrounding Human Resource (HR) outsourcing services
for multinational companies seeking to enter the regional markets
(Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) Nigeria, South Africa, and South Sudan) as opposed to HR
Outsourcing Services for local companies. The article further explains
how Career Options Africa Group (COA) can support international
companies and NGOs to meet those needs.
1. Unique Need
Unlike local companies seeking to outsource their HR function, international companies are seeking more than just an external HR Department. They require an expert in local labor, immigration, taxation, and business law and environment. Multinational companies cannot have a registered branch in every market they enter, especially in the initial years of operation. Therefore, they seek an HR outsourcing provider that can host the local team by recruiting them, facilitating work permits, and providing offices, staff housing, local transport, etc.
2. Range of Services
International companies in Africa will need the following range of services:
A. Employer of Records (EOR)
The Employer of Record (EOR) service involves hiring a Human Resource (HR) Agency to provide HR services on behalf of the Employer Organization. The agency manages the Employer's employees and takes responsibility for all formal employment tasks. The EOR provider ensures compliance with local labor laws in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Nigeria, and South Africa. Terms like local employer, local partner, local EOR, back-office staffing, and FESCO (Foreign Enterprise Service Company) in China are used to signify engagement with a third-party Employer of Record.
B. Professional employer organization (PEO)
Professional Employer Organization (PEO) is an arrangement in which a company outsources the entire HR function for a specific cadre of employees to another company specialized in Human Resource Management (HRM). The PEO company becomes the employer of the employees from both HR and legal perspectives. The client company has no direct responsibility for the employees' day-to-day supervision but supervises the service delivery. The recruitment process is handled by the PEO agency, and the client company is only interested in the number of employees deployed.
C. Recruitment
Career Options Africa (COA) is a reputable recruitment agency in Africa with a well-established team in nine African countries. Their recruitment services can be categorized into three approaches:
a. Staff Recruitment: The conventional process of searching, selecting, evaluating, and hiring employees at all levels using methods like media advertising, shortlisting, and interviewing. Suitable for companies starting an operation and filling multiple vacancies simultaneously.
b. Executive Search: Specialized recruitment process to fill executive (senior management) positions using targeted searching methods, including direct mails, referrals, and direct telephone calls.
c. Headhunting: The most specialized method aiming to fill executive-level positions like CEO. Comprehensive research is done on the client organization, talent needs, and market supply survey to identify the best candidates. COA's discreet approach to potential candidates ensures presenting top-of-class candidates to the client.
D. Outsourced Payroll
COA offers payroll services from their Nairobi Payroll Center, covering all their branches in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Nigeria, South Africa, and South Sudan. The center utilizes multicurrency, multicompany, and multicountry payroll software capable of processing payroll for any African country.
E. Immigration Support
COA can support international companies and NGOs in processing:
i. Business VISA
ii. Work Permits
iii. Resident Pass
iv. Special Pass
As Africa continues to attract international companies and NGOs seeking
growth opportunities, navigating the HR challenges in these diverse
markets becomes critical. Career Options Africa Group (COA) stands as a
reliable partner, offering a comprehensive range of HR services across
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC), Nigeria, South Africa, and South Sudan. With COA's
expertise, organizations can effectively establish their presence,
comply with local regulations, and build successful teams in the African
region.
Human Resource Services for International Companies in Africa