Org. Setting and Reporting

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.

This position is based in New York and is located in the Client Services Unit, within the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Client Services Unit, who reports to the Chief of the Section. The Client Services Unit provides services to the clients of 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 Assistants will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide information to individual participants and retirees/beneficiaries as well as administrative staff of the member organizations of the Pension Fund on participation, entitlements and benefits
• Advise clients in person, on the phone, or in writing with regards to participation and benefit-related enquiries
• Undertake necessary research in order to provide accurate information; ensure responses to queries conform to the provisions of the Pension Fund’s Regulations and Rules and the Pension Adjustment System
• Route relevant requests to appropriate parties within the Fund’s secretariat
• Initiate administrative procedures as they relate to proof of residence, changes in country of residence, etc.
• Advisie relevant units, e.g., Insurance Section, the Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) and the Associations of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS) at local and international locations, with respect to status of retirees and beneficiaries
• Monitor and control Certificate of Entitlement-related verifications, releases, suspensions and benefits
• Initiate computer runs for monthly activation and/or termination of benefits
• Process and audit administrative actions and procedures relating to Fund participation (validation, restoration and transfer of pension rights)
• Run and audit estimates of future benefit options and entitlements and all types of pension benefits, computer- generated or manually processed, including with regard to the application of the Pension Adjustment System
• Review and process applications for Emergency Fund assistance
• Participate in the standardization of procedures and texts for communications originated by the Section
• Participate in the training activities related to the Section’s work, including the preparation of training material, compilation of relevant information, and provision of training to individuals outside the Section
• Train junior staff, as needed
• Perform other duties as may be required

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of UNJSPF Regulations and Rules and related procedures and how they apply. Knowledge of United Nations systems and procedures as they relate to UNJSPF Regulations and Staff Rules, and good understanding of the UNJSPF operations. Ability to identify issues and analyse client cases and provide correct and timely responses, within the provisions of the Regulations and Rules and the Pension Adjustment System. Handling of UNJSPF data responsibly and with confidentiality. Ability to plan and organize workload within the UNJSPF benchmarks. Ability to maintain accurate records, interpret/analyse a wide variety of data, and identify/resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Demonstrated use of initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work processes and anticipate next steps. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in employee benefits administration or a related area is required.

At least two years of experience in client services is desirable.

Experience in a pension fund in the area of client servicing or processing entitlements is desirable.

A minimum of one year of experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is available until 31 December 2023 with the possibility of extension, subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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 more than 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.

This position is available until 31 December 2023 with the possibility of extension, subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a assignment. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the United Nations Secretariat.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; or the United Nations Accounting or Statistical Assistant Examination at the United Nations Headquarters may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

While this assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

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.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.