BENEFITS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) was established in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide retirement, death, disability, and related benefits for staff of the United Nations and other member organizations of the Fund. The UNJSPF pays benefits in 18 currencies to more than 80,000 beneficiaries who reside in 190 countries, and services more than 140,000 participants who work in the 25 member organizations of the UNJSPF. The Fund has offices in New York (United States) and Geneva (Switzerland) and two liaison offices in Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand), respectively. The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund-Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA) comprises about 250 staff from diverse countries and cultures, based across four prominent duty stations (New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Nairobi). We are a career employer offering unique opportunities for growth within the United Nations system. We offer staff competitive benefits, including up to six weeks of annual leave per year, a defined benefit pension plan (not subject to variation of capital markets), parental leave, a comprehensive insurance plan, and flexible working arrangements subject to operational requirements. Our office is located in the heart of Manhattan, within walking distance from the Grand Central Station hub, in a state-of-the-art facility (the One Dag Hammarskjöld building). Visit www.unjspf.org for more details. This position is located in the Pension Entitlements Section within the Operation Service of the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. The incumbent reports to the Chief, Pension Entitlements Section, and through him/her, to the Chief of Operations. ResponsibilitiesUnder the general supervision of the Chief of the Pension Entitlements Section, the incumbent plans, organizes and supervises the activities of one of the three Work Units of the Section performing the following duties: - Administers and manages the participation and separation process, and post-retirement matters of the staff of UNJPSF member organizations. - Ensures correct application, interpretation and implementation of benefit entitlements under UNJSPF Regulations and Rules and Pension Adjustment System. - Reviews, authorizes and/or approves relevant documents for new participation and changes; for the determination of eligibility and benefits entitlements. - Approves and releases the amount of the benefit with respect to withdrawal settlement, retirement, disability, survivor and related benefits for the staff as well as transfer agreements between the UNJSPF and other (inter)national organizations. - Reviews and approves estimated benefits requested by participants and beneficiaries; analyses complex benefit entitlement cases and decides on the disposition of such cases within the scope of delegated authority. - Reviews probable exceptions to established procedures for presentation and recommendation to senior management for approval. - Provides input for the development/enhancement of computer systems and tests various systems when required. - Ensures that all staff in the unit become proficient in all areas of work in the unit and section. - Ensures that staff are trained in the application of the computer systems. - Takes lead role on projects as required. - Provides recommendations and reports on stream-lining processes as required. - Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Demonstrated knowledge in pension administration and specifically with regard to benefit entitlements and participation; ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues related to pension administration and entitlements; ability to review and edit the work of others. Knowledge of UNJPSF rules and regulations. Demonstrated knowledge of and familiarity with computer systems. Demonstrated research, analytical and evaluative skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the area of employee benefit schemes or related area is required. Two (2) years of experience in supervising staff or work of others in a diverse multinational and multicultural environment is required. Two (2) years of experience working in a defined pension scheme is desirable. Experience with an ERP system is desirable. Experience in the UN common system or International Organization in the area of pension or benefit administration is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice• Any candidate from a member organization of UNJSPF applying for these posts is considered as an internal candidate provided he/she has been appointed through the appointment and promotion procedures applicable in his/her respective organization. Staff members in the General Service category at the G-6 and G-7 levels shall be eligible to apply to the position in this job opening, provided they meet the requirements of the position as set forth in this job opening. Eligibility of General Service staff extends to all entities of the United Nations common system. If selected, a General Service staff member would be required to resign from their appointment in the General Service category and be reappointed on a fixed-term appointment limited to service with UNJSPF. The period of ineligibility for re-employment following resignation shall not apply to such staff resigning from the General Service or related category to take up the functions of these positions in the Fund secretariat. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible. • The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat. Any candidate from a member organization of the UNJSPF applying for this post is considered as an internal candidate provided, he/she has been appointed through the appointment and promotion procedures applicable in his/her respective organization. • Staff members are subject to the authority of the head of the entity and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. • The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 April 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.