BENEFITS ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 7,839 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is in the Pension Administration of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The incumbent will report to the Benefits Officer in the Client Services Section in Geneva. The Benefits Assistant will oversee the work of more junior GS colleagues in Client Services and make recommendations to the Benefits Officer and Chief of Section on complex cases.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Benefits Assistants will be responsible for the following duties:

Client Service Pension cases: - Provides information to individual participants and retirees/beneficiaries as well as to administrative staff of the member organizations of the UNSPF with respect to complex issues relating to participation, entitlements and benefits, including validation, restoration, transfer of pension rights, and all benefit options potentially available to UNJSPF participants. - Routes relevant requests to other services within the Pension Administration as required and ensures timely follow up for resolution. - Responds to pension enquiries from clients and counterparts in member organisations of the UNJSPF and the UN Secretariat and programmes in person, by phone or in writing drafting correspondence on complex issues related to pension entitlements and benefits. - Undertakes necessary research to provide accurate information ensuring that responses conform to the provisions and rules and regulations of the UNJSPF and the Pension Adjustment System and contacts the administrations of member organisations and the UN Secretariat and programmes to resolve issues as required. - Initiates administrative procedures as they relate to proof of residence, changes in country of residence, certificate of entitlement and other “proof” documents as required. - Advises relevant entities, e.g., Insurance Section and the Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) and Associations of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS) at local and international locations, with respect to the status of retirees and beneficiaries. - Provides information to all types of clients; active participants, beneficiaries, retirees, survivors and dependents or their legal representatives, on the status of individual pension cases at all stages of the pension life cycle from enrolment to separation through retirement to the death of the last potential beneficiary, ensuring that all necessary actions are taken at the relevant points in time. - Monitors and controls Certificate of Entitlement-related verifications, releases and suspensions . - Supervises or completes quality control checks for cases relating to the activation and or termination of benefits. Where necessary initiating and following up requests for required documentation. - Provides estimates of current and future potential benefit options for complicated cases as well as estimates under the Pension Adjustment System explaining, as required and necessary the implications and interdependencies of different options and scenarios to clients, together with the longer-term implications of some of the choices to be made for the client and their dependents. - For local track requests under the Pension Adjustment System reviews documentation for complex cases such as those related to moves to high-cost locations, circumstances where the local track has been suspended, or could be considered for suspension, or cases where a beneficiary requests reversion to the dollar track. - Audits cases where eligibility for the local track has been provisionally established. - Reviews and or audits cases relating to the Certificate of Entitlement exercise. - Reviews and or audits the determination of eligibility to a grant from the UNJSPF’S Emergency Fund. - Participates in the standardization of procedures and texts for communications originated by the Section. - Participates in the training activities 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. - Trains junior staff, as needed

General: - Performs other duties as may be required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Participants, retirees and beneficiaries of UNJSPF, their survivors and dependents or their legal representatives, globally; Payroll and Finance Officers, Human Resource Officers of member organizations of the UNJSPF. Staff and Secretaries of Staff Pension Committees of member organizations of the UNJSPF. Client Service Staff in other offices of UNJSPF. Staff in other services of the Pension Administration.

Results Expected: The Benefits Assistant will be expected to demonstrate autonomous mastery of the subject matter and in-depth knowledge and expertise. Under the guidance of the Benefits Officer and the Chief of Section, s/he 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(s), as applicable. Advises participants, beneficiaries and retirees adequately on the UNJSPF rules and procedures. Corresponds with participants, beneficiaries and retirees, and their legal representatives, and other UN offices; drafts correspondence to relevant offices regarding benefits entitlements and the relevant rules and regulations of the UNJSPF. The incumbent is expected to perform a variety of functions regarding pension entitlements and the UNJSPF administrative processes and inform clients accordingly.

Competencies •Professionalism: Knowledge of UNJSPF Regulations and Rules and related procedures and how they apply. Knowledge of UN systems and procedures as they relate to UNJSPF Regulations and Staff Rules, and good understanding of the UNJSPF operations. Ability to identify issues and analyse client cases and provide correct and timely responses, within the provisions of the Regulations and Rules and the Pension Adjustment System. Handling of UNJSPF data responsibly and with confidentiality. Ability to plan and organize workload within the UNJSPF benchmarks. Ability to maintain accurate records, interpret/analyse a wide variety of data, and identify/resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Demonstrated use of initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work processes and anticipate next steps. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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.

•Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•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.

Education High school diploma or equivalent.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of experience in employee benefits administration or related area is required.

At least two years of experience in client services is desirable.

Experience in a pension fund in the area of client servicing or processing entitlements is desirable.

Experience in using transaction processing systems is desirable.

Experience in reviewing the corresponding computer output is desirable.

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, English or French and knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly.

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.

The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat.

Any candidate from a member organization of the 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.

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.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for General Service and related positions must be authorized to work in the country where the position is located. A staff member subject to local recruitment is not eligible for the allowances or benefits applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Staff members who were granted a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment as a result of having passed a predecessor test recognized by the Office of Human Resources Management, and who have continuously held such appointments, are not required to take the new test.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.