Relocation Support for a Senior Executive and Family Transferring to Windhoek

A German national appointed as country director of a Windhoek-based international development organisation, relocating with his partner and two school-age children from Nairobi.

The organisation had managed the work permit application centrally but had provided no relocation support beyond a one-page guide. The executive and his family had four weeks from permit issuance to physically relocate and had no contacts in Namibia, no knowledge of the schooling options, no bank account, and no accommodation secured. The executive reached us through a referral from another Andersen network contact.

We provided a structured relocation support package covering: practical orientation briefings on Windhoek neighbourhoods, banking, healthcare, and general cost of living; introductions to two reputable estate agents for rental accommodation in areas with good school access; guidance on the international school options in Windhoek with admission timelines and fee structures; and support with the executive's Namibian income tax registration and the opening of personal and joint bank accounts. We also coordinated the dependent permit applications for his partner and children.

Family relocated on schedule. Accommodation secured before arrival. School places confirmed for both children in time for the new term. Bank accounts opened. Tax registration completed. The executive started his role without administrative distraction. His partner subsequently engaged us for advice on her own work permit to commence part-time advisory work in Namibia.