BENEFITS ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) 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. UNJSPF administers benefits of more than 80,000 beneficiaries residing in more than 190 countries, paid in 18 currencies, and services more than 150,000 participants who work in the 25 member organizations of UNJSPF. 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. 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 located in the Pension Entitlements Section of the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), Geneva office. The Pension Entitlements Section is responsible for calculating and processing pension entitlements and for ensuring that all eligible participants, retirees and other beneficiaries are serviced in accordance with the Regulations, Rules and Pension Adjustment System of the Fund The incumbent will report to the Benefits Officer or the Chief of Section. ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of a Benefits Officer and the overall supervision of the Chief of the Pension Entitlements Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Performs administrative formalities as necessary and calculates the pension fund entitlement for the separate staff members from the Pension Fund, makes calculations in respect of Pension Fund benefits, validations and estimates, and accounting records for payments executed by the Geneva Office. • Carries out calculations for all types of periodic pension benefits, lump sum commutations, withdrawal, settlements, and residual settlements in the Integrated Pension Administration System (IPAS). • Analyses new staff members' files to determine participation rights, reviews all items opening potential entitlement in the Pension Fund and obtains the information required to finalize cases from member organizations. • Calculates estimates of future benefit options as well as estimates in the IPAS system. • Calculates withdrawal/residual settlements, transfer of pension rights and all types of periodic pension benefits such as retirement, early retirement, disability, deferred retirement, survivors and related benefits in the IPAS system. • Provides information and answers queries from participants determining optimum separation dates. • Computerizes financial reports on contributions received from member organizations, ensures full reconciliation of data with Pension Fund records and regulations, and instructs member organizations for corrective actions. • Requests missing separation documents from participants and member organizations. • Carries out administrative preparation of separation files, determines entitlements, verifies contributory service, breaks in service, validation and restoration paid, part-time employment and other technical parameters having an impact on the pension benefit. • Determines, in accordance with the Fund Regulations and Administrative Rules, final entitlement components for monthly pension, lump sum, child benefits, adjustment for small pension, application of COLD (cost of living differential) factor, etc.; calculates amount payable in dollar and local currency (including local track pension benefits). • Enters payment instructions (amount and currency) in the IPAS system. • Drafts correspondence in French or English. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data to serve in a project such as UNJSPF connect, assisting in IPAS upgradation; 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. • Performs other duties as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: 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. 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. 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of experience in employee benefits administration or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) years of experience for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in the United Nations common system is desirable. Experience in administration of pension is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in Integrated Pension Administration System (IPAS) or a similar ERP system is desirable. Experience in project management is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).