1. International Program Consultant, Global Support Services
Overseas Employment
Krister Anderson
International Program Consultant, Global Support Services

2. Agenda What is Global Support Services (GSS)?
Overseas Employment Trends
Six International Hiring Options
Overseas Employment Resources

3. Global Support Services (GSS)
University-wide
Dual mission:
Support and enable international projects and travel
Mitigate risks to the University and individuals
3 teams:
Client Services
International Safety & Security
Harvard Global Research and Support Services, Inc. (“Harvard Global” or “HG”, a separate legal entity)
Work across the University with students, faculty, and staff from all Schools and departments
Sit in Campus Services with a dotted line to the Vice Provost for International Affairs, Mark Elliott
Our office provides guidance, resources, and tools to help you plan and navigate
3 teams that operate within GSS -- we’ll discuss the teams and how each one can help you, but for now, let’s provide context for why we exist

4. Overseas Employment Trends
Substantial amount of employment questions (~25% of GSS caseload)
Strong upward trajectory in use of global PEOs

5. Overseas Employment Options
Frequent travel by U.S.-based staff
Partner with Established Organization
Hire via Harvard Global
Leverage an existing Harvard entity
Contract with a Professional Employer Organization
Engage as an independent contractor

6. 1. Frequent Travel by U.S. Staff
Evaluate program needs and determine if U.S.- based staff is an option. Staff must be a resident of MA and spend less than 6 months overseas.
Pros
Avoids employment complications, still have Harvard affiliation and benefits
Cons
Travel & visa expenses, potential foreign tax liability

7. 2. Partner with Established Org.
Work with a local partner to hire staff.
Pros
Partner handles tax and labor law compliance
Fees typically less than other options
Cons
May not be able to sponsor visas
Little or no control over benefits and no Harvard affiliation

8. 3. Hire via Harvard Global
Harvard Global is an affiliated non-profit based in Cambridge that can employ staff under certain agreements or if it has an established office.
Pros
Harvard University affiliation w/ID and access to Harvard systems
Relatively low cost
Cons
May take awhile and visa sponsorship is limited
Only an option in select countries thus far
Tier I – In a country where there is a bilateral agreement allowing employment and we’re not registered: $200 per employee, per month
Tier II – In a country where we’re registered or have jurisdiction to operate in: $650 per employee, per month

9. 4. Leverage Existing Harvard Org.
Harvard has many
entities that may be
able to employ staff.
Pros
Harvard University affiliation and low admin fee
Cons
Limited availability, widely varying benefits, and limited visa sponsorship

10. 5. Use a PEO
A professional employer organization (PEO) provides employment services, including human resource and payroll services, similar to a temporary staffing agency.
Pros
Widely available and limited risk, since PEO handles tax and labor law compliance
Cons
High admin cost, with little control over benefits
No Harvard University affiliation

11. 6. Use an Independent Contractor
Hire an independent contractor (IC) if permissible under local law. MA law irrelevant though many of the principle overlap with foreign laws.
Pros
Relatively fast implementation, IC responsible for taxes, office space, obtaining visas/work permits
Cons
No Harvard University affiliation
Increasing restrictions on ICs globally and significant penalties for a program/school if the employee is found to be misclassified

12. Overseas Employment Resources
- GSS Website: globalsupport.harvard.edu/ manage-projects/staffing
- International Employment Reference Guide on website
- GSS International Program Consultants

13. Questions?
Krister Anderson International Program Consultant for FAS, SEAS, GSE, CADM, Radcliffe, HDS, GSD Morgan Brown Senior International Program Consultant for HBS, HLS, HMS, HSPH, HSDM globalsupport.harvard.edu