UrbanBetter works at the intersection of public health and climate resilience. From air quality to extreme heat and safer active transport, the London-based nonprofit supports healthier cities worldwide.
This work depends on strong local leadership. It also depends on reliable, compliant operations behind the scenes.
As UrbanBetter expands across Africa, building that local capacity is a strategic priority.
Industry: Urban Health & Climate Resilience (Nonprofit)
Headquarters: United Kingdom
Other Operating Countries: Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa); Latin America (Colombia)
GoGlobal Support: Kenya and South Africa
Project Focus: Senior hiring, compliant HR and cross-border operations
Solutions: Employer of Record (EOR), Agent of Record (AOR), Global Payroll, Global Recruitment
The Challenge: Growing Fast Without Losing Control
UrbanBetter needed to hire senior professionals in Kenya and South Africa to support regional operations. These roles were central to partnerships, delivery and long-term growth.
However, no legal entities existed in either country.
At the same time, internal capacity was limited. A small operations team already managed finance, compliance, procurement and reporting across multiple regions. Adding cross-border HR, payroll and contracting internally created immediate strain.
The risks were clear: local labor regulations were complex. Contract structures required precision. Payroll and tax compliance left little room for error.
Every delay slowed delivery. Every mistake increased exposure.
UrbanBetter needed to move quickly. But speed without structure was not an option.
The team required a local partner who could manage operational complexity while protecting compliance and continuity.
The Solution: One Framework, End to End
UrbanBetter partnered with GoGlobal to integrate recruitment and workforce engagement under one structure.
This created a single, reliable framework for international hiring and contractor engagement.
GoGlobal implemented Employer of Record (EOR) services in Kenya and South Africa, supported by end-to-end recruitment, local market guidance and payroll administration. Independent contractors were onboarded and managed through an Agent of Record (AOR) solution.
Contracts, onboarding and ongoing compliance were handled through one coordinated team.
The result was clear, agile operations from day one:
- No entity setup
- No fragmented vendors
- No regulatory guesswork
How GoGlobal Delivered
From the outset, GoGlobal took ownership of recruitment and workforce engagement operations.
This created momentum while protecting compliance across employment and contractor models.
| Area | GoGlobal’s Support | Impact |
| Targeted Recruitment | Coordinated screening, shortlisting and interviews for senior roles. Provided local benchmarking to guide competitive offers. | Delivered strong, role-aligned candidates within realistic timelines. |
| Compliant Engagement Structure | Implemented EOR and AOR models with compliant contracts, global payroll, cross-border payment processing and statutory administration. | Enabled compliant hiring without entity setup or increased legal risk. |
| Hands-On Operational Support | Provided guidance on onboarding, offboarding, billing, documentation and regulatory updates. Maintained responsive communication. | Reduced uncertainty and prevented operational issues from escalating. |
This structured approach removed friction from day-to-day operations and gave UrbanBetter confidence in every engagement.
The Results: Focus Restored, Risk Reduced
GoGlobal’s support translated to more than just faster hiring. It created stability across a growing, multi-country operation.
With core workforce processes in place, the team regained time, focus and confidence.
| Outcome Area | Result |
| Hiring Speed | Senior roles were filled within practical timelines, reducing delivery delays and project risk. |
| Operational Load | Cross-border HR, payroll and contracting were removed from internal workflows. |
| Compliance Assurance | All engagements remained aligned with local regulations, with no reported issues. |
| Process Clarity | Onboarding, offboarding and billing followed consistent, documented procedures. |
| Team Experience | Clear timelines and communication improved confidence for both managers and hires. |
Instead of managing fragmented systems and external vendors, UrbanBetter operates through an integrated global framework with hands-on local execution.
This reduces friction. It also reduces risk.
Most importantly, it allows a small operations team to work at scale without burning out.
“Working across countries always creates operational pressure,” says Stefania Rendon, Manager, Account Management at GoGlobal. “With UrbanBetter, the priority was building something stable, not just fast. We aligned recruitment, compliance and payroll from the start. That gave the team confidence to grow without constantly looking over their shoulder.”
Strategic Impact: Enabling Mission-Driven Growth
This partnership has impact beyond the immediate hires. It created a repeatable model for international expansion.
UrbanBetter now operates with a tested framework for entering new markets. There’s trusted local compliance support and reduced dependence on internal administration.
Workforce planning is more predictable. Risk exposure is lower.
These features allow UrbanBetter’s leadership team to focus on what matters most.
- Health-proofing the future of cities
- Strengthening climate resilience
- Delivering impact at scale
GoGlobal helps manage the operational foundation that makes this possible.
Looking Ahead: Built for What’s Next
As UrbanBetter continues to expand across emerging markets, GoGlobal remains a trusted partner. The team is agile and ready to:
- Deploy compliant teams
- Navigate regulatory complexity
- Support sustainable growth
“When organizations move into new countries, the risks multiply. We cut through complexity and handle the unglamorous work behind the scenes. This gives our clients the freedom to focus on delivery and impact. That’s how mission-driven teams grow with confidence.”
Stefania Rendon, Manager, Account Management | GoGlobal
Grow Globally, Without the Complexity
Whether hiring a first international professional or building regional teams, GoGlobal provides the structure, expertise and hands-on support organizations need to scale.
You focus on impact. GoGlobal handles the rest.
Confident global expansion starts here. Let’s talk about how GoGlobal can support your hiring, compliance and cross-border operations, end to end.
