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. 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 two 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 is a newly created position aimed to strengthen the Cashier’s Unit of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF or the Fund). The Treasurer, P-3, will be based in New York and will report to the Treasurer, P-4.

The Cashier’s Unit, Financial Services Section, of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is responsible for: directing and controlling the treasury activities of the Fund; managing the cash flow operations of the Secretariat, including the purchase and sale of currencies and the funding of bank accounts prior to payment schedules; recommending and coordinating the implementation of periodic and non-recurrent payment systems for worldwide application, including the selection of banks, value dates, manual and electronic payment systems; and establishing methods to interface the systems into the existing infrastructure of the Pension Fund.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Cashier of the Fund, the incumbent will coordinate with the Cashier to perform the following duties:

• Authorize payment, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, for Pension Fund disbursements totalling $2.4 billion per annum through electronic means and issuance of cheques
• Manage cash receipts and contributions income from member organizations
• Manage a cash flow of over $170 million per month, involving approximately 27 currencies, by evaluating payment patterns, projecting future requirements, evaluating the time needed to clear payments through various banks throughout the world, ensuring that adequate funds are available, and arranging for the transfer of funds to bank accounts to cover operational requirements. Arrange for transfer of excess funds to the Office of Investment Management of the Fund to invest
• Manage and supervise the investigations relating to returned payments, unidentified credits, claims of non-receipt of payments and other problems
• Monitor contractual performance by banks, bank charges and interest income
• Review, on a regular basis, various aspects of existing operations of the Unit and make recommendations for changes to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Unit
• Keep abreast of policy changes established by central banks globally
• Liaise with the bank representatives and the Office of the Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for the timely resolution of any payment affected due to embargo and or sanction
• Establish security procedures and ensure their implementation and maintenance within the Fund and by external agencies operating on behalf of the Fund. Appraise work performances and participate in recommendations for promotion and career development of staff
• Represent the Fund in policy discussions with the Treasurer of the United Nations and international banks on all matters relating to banking services, payment systems, costing formulae, cash flow projections, and other financial matters
• Assist internal and external auditors by answering any queries involving the Cashier’s Unit, specifically in the area of cash management
• Undertake other assignments at the request of the Cashier and the Chief Financial Officer

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment. 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.

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 and 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) in finance, accounting, banking, or a related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Accounting, Treasury, and related financial fields is required.

Experience with SWIFT messages is required.

Experience in international banking or Treasury operations, specifically in the areas of funds transfers and foreign currency exchange, is desirable.

A thorough knowledge of Pension Fund practices is desirable.

Knowledge of Standard Chartered Bank Straight2Bank, JPM Chase Access payment systems, and JPM Chase e_Serve services is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, 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

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 about 80,000 beneficiaries who reside in more than 190 countries, and services more than 130,000 participants who work in the 25 member organizations of the Pension Fund.

Any candidate from a member organization of 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.

General Services staff members at the GS-6 and GS-7 levels shall be eligible to apply to the position in this job opening, provided they meet the requirements of the positions as set forth in this job opening. Eligibility of General Service staff 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 UNJSPF. The period of ineligibility for re-employment 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. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

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.

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the Young Professionals Programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.