PERMITS AND VISA OFFICER

Africa Personnel Services, on behalf of its client, is looking for a Permits and Visa Officer in the oil and gas industry. This position ensures ensuring legal status for expatriate personnel and complying with national policies aimed at maximizing local employment and development. his position is responsible for managing all immigration, work permits, and residency applications for the company's expatriate staff and coordinating the organization's adherence to Local Content (LC) regulations, specifically regarding the utilization of foreign personnel. The role acts as the primary liaison between the company, government immigration authorities, and the Local Content regulatory body.              

⚓Core Responsibilities

1. Permits and Immigration Management

• Visa Processing: Manage the end-to-end application and renewal process for all types of visas, work permits, and residency permits for foreign employees and their dependents.
• Documentation: Prepare, review, and submit comprehensive immigration packages, ensuring all documents (passports, medical clearances, employment contracts, governmental forms) are accurate and timely.
• Compliance: Maintain expert, up-to-date knowledge of national immigration laws, regulations, and changing procedures to ensure the company remains 100% compliant and avoids penalties.
• Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact with the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration Control, and relevant embassies/consulates.
• Database Management: Maintain an accurate database of all expatriate personnel, tracking visa expiry dates, application status, and movement logistics to proactively manage renewals and departures.

1. Local Content Coordination (Expatriate Management)

• LC Compliance Reporting: Prepare and submit regular reports to the Local Content Authority detailing the ratio of foreign to local employees, justification for each expatriate role, and evidence of local training/skills transfer programs.
• Expat Justification: Work closely with HR and Department Heads to draft and validate the case-for-necessity for each expatriate position, demonstrating that no qualified local national is available for the role, as required by LC law.
• Succession Planning: Coordinate the documentation of local talent development and succession plans linked to key expatriate roles, proving a commitment to ultimately replacing foreign workers with qualified nationals.
• Skills Transfer: Ensure compliance with any visa or permit conditions related to mandatory training or skills transfer programs for local employees.

1. Administrative and Logistical Support

• Onboarding/Offboarding: Coordinate the physical logistics for expatriate staff arrival (e.g., airport transfers, initial housing) and demobilization/repatriation.
• Internal Coordination: Advise HR, Project Managers, and Procurement on immigration requirements and timelines that impact project staffing and scheduling.
• Audits: Facilitate and support government inspections or audits related to visas, work permits, and local content registers.

• Experience: 3–5+ years of experience in immigration, visas, or HR compliance, with specific exposure to the oil & gas, mining, or major construction sectors in a regulated environment.
• Knowledge: Detailed, current knowledge of the host country’s Immigration and Local Content (LC) legislation is essential.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in using databases and HRIS/ERP systems for accurate tracking and reporting.
• Competencies: Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, excellent interpersonal skills for liaising with government officials, and high-level proficiency in written and verbal communication.

Must be a Namibian Citizen