Collaborating with a Local Organization

Collaborating with an organization located in the country where the employee intends to work is often the least expensive and most efficient way to engage staff in an employee capacity for any period of time. A local collaborator can be a university or other established organization that is willing to employee the individual as their own employee. Typically, Penn or the individual worker has some existing affiliation with the organization abroad.

In this arrangement, the individual becomes an employee of the local organization, and the administrative activities associated with their employment are the responsibility of the local organization. The organization abroad will bill Penn for the cost of employing the individual, often for an additional fee, through the Penn Marketplace.

Collaborating arrangements can generally be outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or contract. 

Collaborating agreements should address:

• Can the collaborator act as the employer of record for Penn’s required activity?
• Can the collaborator employ and provide work authorizations for Penn’s employees as well as in-country nationals?
• Is there a written agreement between Penn and the collaborator in regard to the individual being engaged and associated costs?
• Is there a written agreement between the collaborator and individual if necessary?