In a time of geopolitical challenges, where many sectors are restricting access for candidates from certain countries, it is crucial for education and research to maintain international cooperation. Preventive security measures in recruitment and onboarding, along with fostering a strong security culture, are therefore vital for keeping the doors open for international cooperation.
The university's values of trust, respect, openness and academic quality should characterise our approach to international staff and partners. The Division of Human Resources (HR) is preparing new procedures related to the recruitment and reception of international staff. These procedures will be published here as they are finalised. For questions related to the recruitment and onboarding of international employees at UiA, please contact HR.
Security in recruitment
UiA receives applicants from all over the world and engages in extensive international research cooperation to attract the best expertise in research and education. To ensure a professional process and a smooth onboarding, the recruitment of international staff must adhere to our standard procedures for recruitment and hiring.
Attention should be paid to:
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- Applicants who will work in fields considered sensitive under export control regulations. Export control dictates that certain goods, technologies, and services cannot be exported from Norway without a licence issued by the authorities due to their potential military utility. This also applies to the sharing of research information. Applications for export licences are managed by DEKSA (regjeringen.no).
- Does the applicant hold citizenship from a country that necessitates security considerations, in addition to working in a sensitive field? Allow extra processing time for security assessments, background checks, and if applicable, applying for an export control licence. UiA is in the process of developing procedures related to background checks.
- All documents are processed electronically, translations must be authorised, in a Scandinavian language or English, and candidates should expect to present original documents either at the interview or upon commencement.
- Third-country nationals must have a valid residence permit before commencing work, and employment cannot begin until documented approval is obtained.
Security in hosting visiting researchers
We are currently developing guidelines for hosting visiting researchers. These guidelines will be published on this page when they are finalised.
Onboarding of international staff
UiA collaborates with Business Region Kristiansand and Relocation Agder to onboard international staff, helping the new employee and their family transition safely and smoothly to everyday life in Norway.
For more information, see: Relocation Agder and Relocation Agder | Business Region Kristiansand.
UiA has also compiled some resources for new employees on this page: Living and working in Southern Norway.
Norwegian courses: Each semester, UiA PULS offers Norwegian courses for staff. Follow this page for up-to-date information: Norwegian courses for employees at UiA.
See also: Agreement on Visiting Researcher Stay at UiA (pdf)
Document verification
Candidates who have completed their education in Norway automatically have their diplomas and transcripts available in the Diploma Registry and can provide employers with access to these documents.
For candidates with foreign education, it is important for the unit to assess the validity of the documents submitted by the applicant. Do you need information about foreign education or do you need an assessment of the qualifications? See Recognition of foreign education – work in Norway (The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, HK-dir).
For positions requiring authorisation, HK-dir offers a fast-track assessment. Document verification is conducted for candidates undergoing background checks.
Background checks
We are currently developing guidelines for background checks. These guidelines will be published on this page when finalised.