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. 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 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 located in the Pension Entitlements Section of the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), Geneva Office. The incumbent will report to a Benefits Officer. 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. ResponsibilitiesPension: - Provides information to individual participants and pensioners/beneficiaries as well as administrative staff of the member organizations of the Pension Fund on participation, entitlements and benefits. - Routes relevant requests to appropriate parties within the Fund’s secretariat. - Undertakes necessary research in order to provide accurate information; ensures responses to queries conform to the provisions and rules and regulations of the Pension Fund and the Pension Adjustment System. - Process all type of retirement benefits on receipt of relevant documents with in established benchmark. - Initiates administrative procedures or calculate benefit as they relate to changes in country of residence, etc. - Advises relevant units, e.g., Member Organizations, Insurance Section and the Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) at local and international locations, with respect to status of retirees and beneficiaries. - Initiates termination of benefits. - Prepares manual benefit calculations, Note for file with recommendations for Benefits Officer or Legal Office on complex cases. - Audits all types of pension benefits, administrative actions, and procedures relating to Fund. - Audits/prepare estimates of future benefit options Art 35 ter/Transfer Out and all types of pension benefits, computer generated or manually processed, including the application of the Pension Adjustment System. - Participates in the standardization of procedures and texts for communications originated by the Section. - Participates in the training activities/Projects 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. General: - Performs other duties as may be required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Health and Life Insurance carriers; participants at Headquarters and overseas in the various group health insurance plans; staff across the Organisation and other organisations and entities, e.g., UN Joint Staff Pension fund; Payroll and Finance Officers, Human Resource Officers, active participants, retirees, beneficiaries and administrative staff of member organizations of the UNJSPF. Results Expected: Under the guidance of a more senior general service staff and the Chief of Section, prepares and processes work and related follow-up in an accurate and timely manner. Addresses unforeseen situations, seeking advice from and/or reporting to supervisor, as applicable. Advises participants (active and retired) adequately on the various health and life insurance schemes and pension rules and procedures, corresponding with beneficiaries, attorneys, the insurer and other UN offices; drafts correspondence to relevant offices, and instructs insurance carrier regarding payment of benefits. Incumbent is expected to perform a variety of insurance/pension functions regarding payment of benefits. For Insurance, ensuring completeness and accuracy of all required data for the settlement of MIP hardship claims; determining the eligibility of staff members and their dependants to enrol in the various health and life insurance programs. For UNJSPF, ensuring completeness and accuracy of all required data for Fund enrolment and maintenance of pension records; auditing amounts of UNJSPF benefits payable and recalculations of existing benefits upon death of beneficiary or change of country of residence. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: In-depth knowledge of the UNJSPF Rules and Regulations and Pension Adjustment System and related procedures. Knowledge of social security or national pension schemes. Knowledge of UN systems and procedures as they relate to Staff Rules and Regulations. Demonstrated use of initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work processes and anticipate next steps. Ability to maintain accurate records, interpret and analyze a wide variety of data. Ability to identify and resolve 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 & 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Two (2) years of relevant experience in the United Nations common system is desirable. At least two (2) years of experience in ERP system - IPAS is desirable. Experience in reviewing, analyzing and presenting data using MS Excel and MS Office are desirable. Experience in an employee benefit scheme related to pension administration is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. 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).