Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Secretary-General is responsible for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Secretary-General has delegated this responsibility to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF (RSG). The RSG heads the Office of Investment Management (OIM), which manages approximately $80+ billion multi-asset class, global investment portfolio, about 85% of which is actively managed in-house. Asset classes under management comprise global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber and commodities. OIM’s staff are all based in New York but come from over 30 countries. For more information please visit OIM’s website at https://oim.unjspf.org/.

This position is located in Office of the Director of Global Public Equities. The incumbent reports to the Director of Global Public Equities.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Investment Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Assists the Director and Senior Investment Officers (SIO) for the public equity primarily in the area of quantitative research and portfolio analysis to manage and invest the assets of the Fund in public equity markets. The quantitative research and portfolio analysis includes, but not limited to, screening, valuation analysis and portfolio optimization by utilizing several portfolio management and risk management tools. Tasks will include data collection, spreadsheet analysis, forecasts, projections, use of index data, stock and foreign exchange data, equity market liquidity data:

a. Assist Equity Team in balancing long-term strategic goals with short-term performance objectives to outperform return benchmarks.
b. Conduct the quantitative analysis of the various portfolio holdings and support the programme trading and rebalancing trades at the direction of the SIO. Identify new tools and databases for quantitative analysis.
c. Generate the portfolio and investment universe monitoring reports periodically by utilizing tools and databases, and conducting screening analysis of the securities and updates to the benchmark.
d. Comply with risk control parameters as delineated in the investments Policy and Procedures Manual with a goal to produce the optimal investment return that avoids undue risk.
e. Integrate Principles of Responsible Investments into investment analysis and monitor both internally and externally managed holdings, coordinating with the Sustainable Investment Team, and subject to IMD’s standards of fiduciary responsibility to the Fund.
f. Assist with preparation of presentations for the portfolio review meeting.
g. Coordinate with the Risk and Performance Team to conduct portfolio analysis using risk tools and analytical tools.

2. Conducts careful and thorough investment research:

a. Reviews quantitative investment research and the analysis from Advisors/Research Providers.
b. Attends investment conferences and seminars to access academic and industry experts in quantitative analysis.
c. Assists in evaluating the quality of the advice of recommendations submitted by the Fund’s research providers and consultants. Appraises performance of external managers.

3. Makes investment recommendations using quantitative analysis;

a. Adheres to the Fund’s four investments criteria; i.e. safety, profitability, liquidity, and convertibility,
b. Makes investment recommendations to achieve optimum investment performance with carefully review of the portfolio’s investment objectives and risk tolerance.
c. Coordinates the discussion of investment recommendations and viewpoints of the SIO’s of the relevant asset class/region,
d. Participates in the discussions and development of investment recommendations for asset allocation for the Fund.

4. Reporting:

a. Assists in the preparation of reports accurately and timely to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the Investments of the UNJSPF and Chief Investment Officer when requested.
b. Assists the Chief Investment Officer in reporting on investments and related matters to governing bodies.
c. 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.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability and sound knowledge of quantitative analysis and trading in Global Public Equities portfolios; demonstrates ability in meeting clearly defined investment objectives and risk management of portfolio; ability to work under pressure accurately, efficiently and effectively. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Economics or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. An advance degree in Financial Engineering desirable. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in global public equity investment analysis in an institutional investment environment is required.

At least 3 years of experience in quantitative analysis on equity investments is required.

Buyside experience is desirable.

Experience using advanced equity quantitative tools, such as Bloomberg, MSCI Barra, Credit Suisse Holt or similar system is desirable.

Intermediate knowledge of Python is desirable.

Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• Appointment at the United Nations is subject to mandatory adherence to the United Nations Financial disclosure Programme. An appointment to the Office of Investment Management (OIM) of the UNJSPF additionally requires compliance with the rules and regulations pertaining to OIM’s Code of Ethics, Personal Securities, Gift and Hospitality policies.

• 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.

• 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.

• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented on underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 March 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.