Chief, Pension Entitlements Section

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. The 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 the Fund. 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 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 of the UNJSPF. The Chief, Pension Entitlements Section in Geneva reports to the Chief of Operations of Pension Administration of the UNJSPF. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Chief, Pension Entitlements Section has the following responsibilities: 1. Plans, directs and oversees the management of the activities undertaken by the Section which is entrusted with administering and managing the separation and post-retirement processes (including the determination and calculation of all types of pension benefits as well as the complex Pension Adjustment System). 2. Develops and implements methods, documents, procedures and best practices to ensure effective training and client servicing. 3. Provides substantive input and policy guidance to senior management for the preparation of position papers and reports to the Fund's governing body, the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board (UNJSPB), on benefits and entitlements by undertaking studies to identify the differences between the existing pension plan and changes recommended or under consideration by the UNJSPB, or approved by the General Assembly, analysing the impact of such changes on the determination and processing of benefits, making projections of the overall impact of the changes on work-flow, formulating, recommendations on the most efficient way of incorporating the changes into the plan. 4. Identifies and recommends solutions to complex questions regarding general issues or individual cases, providing guidance on such matters to staff and other interested parties. 5. Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high quality standards. 6. In co-ordination with the Information Management Systems Service and PES New York (and other the Services, as necessary) provides analysis and other technical input (including specifications and the setting up of test routines) in respect of all systems utilized by the Section and participates in the design and evaluation of new and enhanced systems and ensures the implementation of changes in the Regulations and Rules Fund or of the Pension Adjustment System as approved by the General Assembly. 7. Represents Pension Administration, at the inter-agency level, in respect of the determination and clarification of procedures and practices regarding the management of Pension Fund participation and separation activities including providing procedures and practices to Secretaries of local Staff Pension Committees and other administrative staff of member organizations so as to ensure that the Fund is provided with timely, accurate and clearly presented pension information for the processing of benefits. Counsels and advises Executive and Administrative personnel and other officials of member organizations on matters concerning pension entitlements. 8. Carries out the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparing the budget, the implementation and review of performance monitoring including the reporting to senior management on the Section’s performance and liaising with UNOG on general support and administrative matters. Fosters teamwork and communication both within the Section and across organizational boundaries. 9. Supervises and manages staff of the Section and directs and oversees staff performance evaluation process and recruitment taking due account of the needs of the organization, gender balance and other institutional values. 10. Undertakes special studies and analysis when requested. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge and understanding of the UNJSPF Regulations, Rules and Pension Adjustment System; Knowledge of pension administration and specifically with regard to Benefit Entitlements; Ability to provide specialist advice on pension entitlement issues; Ability to produce high quality reports and papers on technical issues related to pension administration and entitlements; Ability to review and edit the work of others; Ability to apply UNJSPF rules, regulations, policies and guidelines desirable; 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 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. 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. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the Office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in finance, human resources management, business administration, public administration, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the area of employee benefits administration, pension entitlement calculations, finance, human resources administration or related area is required. At least five (5) years of experience in managing and supervising teams is required. At least five (5) years in pension administration in the UN Common System, similar national or international organization is desirable. Hands-on experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is desirable. Experience in defining, monitoring, and reporting on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Knowledge of 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).