BENEFITS OFFICER (Chief of Operations Coordination & Liaison Unit)

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 Operations Support Section (OSS) of the Operations Coordination and Liaison Unit, Operations Service (OCLU, OS) in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund-Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA). The incumbent reports to the Chief of OCLU under the overall guidance of the Chief of OSS. Operations Service is responsible 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, while fully adhering to the communications, quality management and internal control policies as outlined in the Fund's management charter. ResponsibilitiesUnder the general supervision of the Chief of Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Management and coordination of Unit activities Plan, manage, and oversee the work of the Operations Coordination and Liaison Unit (OCLU) in alignment with the overall strategy and priorities of the Fund Secretariat, including: a. Open (non-actionable) Entitlements Workflows • Manage open (non-actionable) Entitlements Workflows in IPAS arising from the receipt of incomplete or pending separation documentation from member organizations or participants. • Liaise with member organizations to follow up on missing separation documentation and prepare summaries of corrective actions for PES New York and Geneva. • Analyse workflow data to identify systemic issues and propose corrective and preventive solutions. b. Data Interfaces and Automation • Monitor, support, and contribute to the development and enhancement of HR and data interfaces with member organizations, including automation of data exchange and workflow status updates in IPAS. • Analyse and recommend enhancements to existing interfaces, including data validation controls and automated voiding of redundant workflows. c. Data quality assurance • Review participant data in IPAS and lead reconciliation and data clean-up initiatives to resolve discrepancies. • Develop and implement procedures, including automation where feasible, for closing workflows after the final processing step. • Provide expert guidance and training to member organizations and internal stakeholders on separation documentation requirements. d. Member organization focal point and support • Identify, review, and assist in resolving operational queries and issues raised by member organizations. • Develop, maintain, and update procedural guidance and instructions on UNJSPF requirements for the submission of separation documentation and other Operations-related activities. • Support the implementation of End-to-End Review recommendations and propose specific follow-up actions arising from audit reports, consultants’ reviews, and audit committee recommendations for covered organizations. e. Staff management • Organize and assign work in accordance with best management practices, emphasizing efficiency, quality, and client-oriented service delivery. • Oversee staff performance, including work planning, coaching, and performance evaluation. 2. Analysis, reporting, and decision support • Monitor existing workflow and member organization performance reports and recommend improvements. • Develop new analytical and statistical reports using BI tools to support Operations staff, senior management, and member organizations. • Provide accurate and timely reporting to the Chief of Section and Senior Management, as required. 3. Administrative and cross-functional coordination • Perform administrative functions and special assignments as requested by the Chief of Section and/or Senior Management. • Liaise with chiefs of other sections and units on workflows, timelines, system enhancements, and new initiatives or projects. 4. Other responsibilities • Perform other duties as required. Competencies• PROFESSIONALISM: Expert knowledge in pension administration. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues related to pension administration and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply United Nations and UNJSPF rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. • 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. • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \"clients\" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • 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 improvements; 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences, management or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration, financial management, or related field is required. Experience as a manager or in supervision of staff is required. Experience contributing to transformational initiatives or organizational change projects is desirable. At least three years of experience in pension benefit administration is desirable. Experience within the United Nations common system is desirable. Experience in using data analysis tools to measure and report on KPIs and SLAs is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. There are no additional desirable languages specified. 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).