Benefits Officer

Posting Title: Benefits Officer, P3

Job Code Title: Benefits Officer

Organization: United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Posting Period: 16 August 2023 - 29 September 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Administration-UNJSPF-209769-R-Geneva (R)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Pension Entitlements Section of the Geneva Office of the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is responsible for fund participation and for the calculation and processing of pension entitlements.

The incumbent reports to the Deputy Chief of Participation and Entitlements under the overall guidance of the Chief of Participation and Entitlements Section, UNJSPF Geneva Office.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Participation and Entitlements Section, and the overall guidance of the Chief of Participation and Entitlements Section, UNJSPF Geneva Office, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

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, vacancies 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.

Competencies

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.

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.

Education

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 the related field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in business or public administration, finance, human resources management in the area of employee benefit schemes, law or related field is required.

Experience in supervising staff others in a diverse multinational and multicultural environment is desirable.

Experience within the United Nations common system or public sector in the area of pension, human resources, payroll or finance fields is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French and Knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949.

The Pension Fund pays benefits in 17 currencies to about 80,000 beneficiaries who reside in 190 countries, and services more than 130,000 participants who work in the 25 Member Organizations of the Pension Fund.

The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UNJSPF 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. Eligibility of General Service staff members 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 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.

United Nations Considerations

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. 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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 Fee

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.

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