Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund was established in 1949 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 Pension Fund pays benefits in 17 currencies to more than 80,000 beneficiaries who reside in 190 countries, and services more than 140,000 participants who work in the 24 member organizations of the Pension Fund. 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 available as of 1 January 2025. This position is located in the Client Services Unit, within the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), Geneva Office. The incumbent will report to the Benefits Officer, who reports to the Chief of the Unit. The Client Services Unit provides services to the clients of the UNJSPF, advising them on participation, separation and benefit related issues and the correct application of the Fund’s Regulations and Rules and the Pension Adjustment System.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Benefits Assistant is responsible for the following duties:
• Provides information to individual participants and retirees/beneficiaries as well as administrative staff of member organizations of the Pension Fund with respect to participation, entitlements and benefits, including validation, restoration and all benefit options available.
• Routes relevant requests to other services within the Pension Administration as required and ensures timely follow up for resolution.
• Drafts routine correspondence and prepares various pension certificates at the request of clients;
• Undertakes necessary research in order to provide accurate information ensuring response conforms to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Pension Fund, and contacts appropriate member organizations to resolve issues.
• Answers clients’ questions related to participation and benefits in person, by phone, virtual meeting or in writing; Initiates other administrative actions or procedures required by changes in the status of individuals or in the pension plan.
• Calculates estimates of future benefit options as well as estimates under the Pension Adjustment System.
• Reviews documentation required for proof of residence and changes in country of residence to determine eligibility and effective date.
• Reviews Certificate of Entitlement signatures to ensure continued eligibility to pension benefits.
• Participates in the standardization of procedures and texts for communications originating from the Section.
• Participates in training activities related to the Section’s work, including the preparation of drafts and training material; compilation of relevant information; and provision of training to individuals outside the Section.
• Processing and auditing administrative actions and procedures relating to Fund participation (validation, restoration and transfer of pension rights).
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performing other duties as may be required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge in various progressive stages of benefits processing. Knowledge of pension provisions and related procedures. Knowledge of maintaining accurate records, interpreting/analyzing a wide variety of data, and identifying/resolving data discrepancies and other problems. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision- making. 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; Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
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.