Country Registration Specialist

FHI 360; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 480 000 - 720 000; Full time

Job summary

A global NGO is seeking a Country Registration Specialist in Sandton, South Africa. The role involves overseeing the registration process, ensuring compliance with local laws, and educating teams on requirements. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and 5-8 years of relevant experience. Fluency in English is essential, with additional language skills preferred. This position is critical for organizational compliance and risk mitigation.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Work/life balance support

Qualifications

• 5 - 8 years of experience in business management or international development.
• Experience in operations, compliance with NGOs or international organizations.
• Fluency in English required; additional French/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the registration process for FHI 360 globally.
• Educate project teams on registration requirements.
• Document all registrations and maintain a comprehensive database.
• Provide regular communications to stakeholders.

Skills

Client service

Research and analysis

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Project management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, International Development, Law/Legal Studies

Master’s Degree preferred

Project Management certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Jira

Job description

Overview

The Business Services Unit (BSU) sits within the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and oversees country registration and related compliance for the organization. BSU leads the research and strategic thinking regarding new and closing country registrations and operating options for new and closing country platforms. It works with regional hubs, project, country, and enterprise services teams to advise and support registration renewals, compliance requirements, and other related requirements. BSU serves a critical role for FHI 360’s global legal entity landscape and maintains strong relationships throughout the organization.

The Country Registration Specialist serves as a member of the BSU team providing guidance and direct support for all matters relating to registration to ensure organizational compliance and mitigation of organizational risks. This position is responsible for leading and advising international country registrations, including initial registration, compliance with post-registration reporting requirements, registration renewals and de-registration and transition upon project closeout. Routine collaboration and coordination with regional hubs and country teams will be essential to this role.

This is not an expatriate position.

Accountabilities

• Oversee the registration process and associated requirements for FHI 360 globally building strategic relationships within the organization as well as with local counsel to ensure operational efficiency and compliance with local laws.
• Serve as a partner on project implementation units and regional hubs providing technical counsel and support of business development and when entering new markets.
• Lead in-country registration process on all matters including establishing and maintaining relationships with local lawyers to determine needs and local requirements, making recommendations on registration options in the best interest of both the project and the organization, and preparing and reviewing required documentation.
• Ensure compliance with ongoing legal requirements related to registration and advise projects teams accordingly to ensure compliance with local laws in countries with an active FHI 360 presence.
• Partner with project teams and regional hubs to ensure effective closeout of registrations with various government agencies as may be required at the conclusion of projects and when FHI 360 decides to leave a country.
• Educate and train project and country staff on registration requirements and processes, demonstrating the importance of registration as a critical component of compliance.
• Document and maintain all information related to registrations in a common organizational database to ensure a complete history.
• Provide regular, timely and clear communications and updates to key stakeholders, both within the organization and outside.
• Prepare reports and provide information as appropriate to management and senior level staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Applied Knowledge & Skills

• Strong commitment to exceptional and consistent client service and communications.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, determine best methods to accomplish objectives efficiently and adapt quickly to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to research, analyze and communicate complex information including local laws and legal opinions, HR guidelines and corporate policies and procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and meticulousness in drafting, reviewing, and revising international legal documents.
• Good judgment, understanding of organizational structure and ability to find a balance between corporate risk and the ability for FHI 360 projects to operate.
• Ability to influence, motivate, negotiate and work well with others.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated project management and presentation skills.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English; additional French and/or Spanish language skills preferred.

Problem Solving & Impact

• Independently identifies and resolves problems and recommends/implements corrective action as needed in a timely manner.
• Works on complex problems that require in depth evaluation of data and various factors.
• Anticipates needs and develops customized solutions to address complex issues.
• Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques, for obtaining results.
• Decisions and actions could have a severe impact on the outcomes of the business, research, and/or programmatic operations of major segments of the organization.

Supervision Given/Received

• Provides guidance to staff performing related work and functions across the organization.
• Develops and recommends solutions to meet internal and external needs of the organization
• Reports to the Associate Director, Business Services and Legal Operations.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Business Administration, International Development, Law/Legal Studies, or Related Field.
• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent preferred.
• Project Management certification preferred.

Experience

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 - 8 years of business management, program management, operations, and/or international development experience.
• Experience in operations, compliance, and/or program management with a non-governmental organization (NGO) or other international organization.
• Experience with country registrations, compliance, and international local laws preferred.
• English language fluency required (reading, writing, and speaking); additional French and/or Spanish language skills preferred.

Typical Physical Demands

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 5 - 25 lbs.

Technology to be Used

• Personal Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS, SharePoint, e-mail), Jira and other project management software, office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.

Travel Requirements

• N/A

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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