The post is located in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) Geneva Office for a duration of 6 months. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Participation and Entitlements and through him/her to the Chief, UNJSPF Geneva Office.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Participation and Entitlements Section, and the overall supervision of the Chief, UNJSPF Geneva Office, the incumbent:
1. Oversees administration of participation and separation cases, and determination and processing of all types of pension benefits:
ensures the participation files and records of participants under the Geneva Office responsibility are complete and administratively and financially reconciled at the time of benefit processing; secures required formal verification of information, analyses complex/sensitive/contentious cases and drafts case notes for the Section Chief or Legal Office, makes recommendations or takes decisions; coordinates the year-end pensionable remuneration and contribution reporting in collaboration with the relevant Financial Services of the Pension Fund and reporting entities (UN entities and Specialized Agencies).
2. Reviews and approves new participation and types and amounts of pension entitlements:
conducts reviews of each case with regard to the relevant Regulations; reviews all participation and calculations processed by the Calculators and Auditors of the Unit to confirm that they are in accordance with the relevant Regulations and procedures and reflect an accurate analysis of the facts of the case as per the records available to the Fund; releases related payments.
3. Plans, organizes and supervises the activities of one of the Work Units of the Section:
actively monitors the workload of the Unit to ensure effective and equitable work distribution and processing of benefits within the standard benchmark; redistributes work as necessary; provides guidance regarding administration and processing of participation, separation and pension entitlements; completes and/or ensures on the job training of the Unit's staff; manages the staff, posts and performance of the Unit.
4. Applies and interprets the Regulations, Rules and Pension Adjustment System of the UNJSPF and its related Procedures: keeps abreast of, applies/interprets and provides guidance on the UNJSPF Regulations, Rules and Pension Adjustment System, and related procedures and jurisprudence to ensure that processing of participation, separation, death and two track cases is carried out in an accurate and complete manner.
5. Provides support to clients such as participants, beneficiaries, retirees Associations and member organizations:
replies to enquiries from clients by phone, e-mail or mail; advises them on the interpretation of UNJSPF Regulations and UNJSPF procedures, pension entitlements, documentation and
information required; draft correspondence; participate in outreach activities such as training sessions and missions as required.
6.Provides inputs for the development and and/or revision of UNJSPF, Procedures and IT systems:
assists in policy development by taking the initiative to raise issues regarding Regulations and procedures or participating in meetings and documents revision upon request from the Legal Office, Headquarters, Chief of Office or Chief of Section; supports the Section Chief in the management of the Section by translating in his/her Unit the objectives established and proposing improvements in terms of work distribution, procedures, organisation of the team; acts as OIC of the Section when required; prepares reports and statistics; acts as focal point for IT special projects such as implementation of the new computer system of the Fund (IPAS) and improvement of interface systems with member Organizations.
PROFESSIONALISM:
-Knowledge of pension or employee benefits schemes. Knowledge of UNJSPF benefits administration and IPAS system would be an asset.
-Shows pride in work and in achievement.
-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.
-Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
TEAMWORK:
-Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
-Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
-Places team agenda before personal agenda
-Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings
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
JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING:
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly;
- Gathers relevant information before making a decision;
- Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
- Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization;
- Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information;
- Checks assumptions against facts;
- Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision;
- Makes tough decisions when necessary.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in management, business or public administration, finance, legal, or other related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in pension or staff benefits/administration or related area, of which preferably two years within the United Nations. Knowledge of UNJSPF benefits administration and IPAS system would be an asset.
Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French is required; knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat.
On the basis of the MoU and in light of the status of the UNJSPF, it was decided that General Services staff members at the GS-6 and GS-7 levels shall be eligible to apply to the positions in this job opening, provided they meet the requirements of the positions as set forth in this job opening. 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 the UNJSFP. The period of ineligibility for reemployment 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.
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 Secretary-General 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 Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
According 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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE 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.