Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949. The Pension Fund pays benefits in 17 currencies to more than 70,000 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 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 (up to three days of work from home per week 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 based in New York and is located in the Office of the Chief Executive of Pension Administration (OCEPA) of UNJSPF. The Special Assistant reports to the Chief Executive of Pension Administration and provides support related to executive direction and management responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Special Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Advise and assist the Chief Executive of Pension Administration in planning, and implementation of the work programmes administered by the OCEPA
• Direct substantive support to consultations, meetings, conferences, propose agenda topics, identify participants, prepare documents and presentations and coordinate cross-cutting activities
• Organize the Chief Executive of Pension Administration’s public engagements and coordinate the preparation of related materials
• Draft/review of the Pension Administration’s official executive documents and correspondence
• Support the implementation of the Pension Administration strategy, in particular with regard to outreach activities and establishing partnerships
• Coordinate and supervise the dissemination of information with internal and external stakeholders
• Coordinate the implementation of the Pension Administration’s communication strategy, in consultation with the Office of Investment Management (OIM)
• Oversee the preparation of communication materials, such as presentations to intergovernmental bodies, and policymaking organs as well as other stakeholders such as member organizations or beneficiaries. Coordinate the recurrent publication of the UNJSPF newsletters, the creation of multimedia content, such as videos on the Fund. Also ensure the Fund’s optimized social media presence
• Develop content for the UNJSPF website
• Contributes to transparent disclosure on the UNJSPF website
• Coordinate internal communication efforts, including the preparation of regular communication materials to Staff, and manage the Pension Administration intranet
• Promote regular coordination between OIM and PA and the interactions of PA, OIM, and the Board Secretariat with stakeholders
• Take the lead to develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects, etc.; direct subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring, and assessment; direct review of relevant documents and reports; identify priorities, problems, and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identifiy and initiate follow-up actions
• Coordinate policy development; review the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations, or research activities and studies
• Coordinate and/or participate in workshops, seminars, etc., make presentations on assigned topics/activities
• Serve as an effective spokesperson and establish collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the Organization
• Ensure effective utilization, supervision, and development of OCEPA staff under the supervision of the incumbent
• Guide, evaluate, and mentor staff
• Perform other duties as required

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Ability to generate and communicate a broad and compelling Organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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. Ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.

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 the 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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, or related area is required.

At least three years of experience working in a front office of a senior official is required.

Experience in coordinating and preparing presentations and concise briefing notes on complex issues for senior managers across various communication channels is required.

Experience in the design and implementation of communication strategies is desirable.

Work experience within the United Nations Common System is desirable

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

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

Please note that this is a temporary job opening, open to internal as well as external candidates.
• This position is temporarily available for six months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary 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 temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station
• 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 temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary 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 temporary 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.