Hi, Tricia,
The HR suggestion is the least risky and most expensive. These companies (called Professional Employment Organizations, or PEOs) handle all the legal and employment issues in the countries they cover. You can probably start by figuring out which PEOs handle Rwanda in a google search. The benefit is that these companies handle all the things that are required by law in the specific country, including taxes, hiring, benefits, etc. The employee is an employee of the PEO, not CSU or another entity. I've done a little work in this area, so let me know if I can be of help.
Best,
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Lori Ann Schultz
Senior Director, Research Partnership Services
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
520-626-9195
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-20-2019 13:47
From: Tricia Callahan
Subject: Assistance/Advice needed on working in Rwanda
CSU is looking for assistance with hiring and tax law issues in Rwanda. More specifically the questions being asked include: "Can you recommend colleagues specializing in international projects/law? Do we know any other U.S. universities working in Rwanda who may have already set up a legal entity in Rwanda to facilitate hiring U.S. persons on their projects?"
The situation:
We have a PI ready to begin a 5-year NIH-funded household intervention study in Rwanda. The PI is hitting a roadblock in hiring a key team member. CSU's HR and legal have determined that international tax laws and CSU's employment rules will not allow for a CSU employee to work in a foreign location. HR has suggested that a solution may be for CSU to work directly with a third-party company to handle international payroll/tax issues. The PI has determined this won't work and wants to hire a position through her Rwandan colleague.
Any ideas? Suggestions? Assistance?
Thanks in advance,
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Tricia Callahan
Senior Research Education and Information Officer
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 491-1602
<maskemail>callahtl@...</maskemail>
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