BENEFITS ASSISTANT

The 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 90,000 beneficiaries residing in more than 190 countries, paid in 18 currencies, and services more than 130,000 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 282 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 temporary position is based in New York and is located in the Pension Entitlements Section (PES) within the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund-Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA). 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 Benefits Assistant will report to a Benefits Officer and/or the Chief of Section.

Within delegated authority, the Benefits Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Screen and sort all incoming communications and forward to appropriate team/individual. • Provide information to individual participants and retirees/beneficiaries as well as administrative staff of member organizations of the Pension Fund with respect to participation, entitlements and benefits, including validation, restoration and all benefit options available. • Draft routine correspondence and respond to telephone enquiries in connection with pension enquiries. • Undertake necessary research in order to provide accurate information ensuring response conforms to the provisions of the Regulations and Rules of the Pension Fund, and contact appropriate member organizations to resolve issues. • Assist in the determination of eligibility and enrol new entrants. • Monitor and record all changes of status, e.g., family history, change in employment situations. • Originate and update pension files from enrolment to separation ensuring that all relevant documentation has been received. • Initiate other administrative actions or procedures required by changes in the status of individuals or in the pension plan. • Calculate estimates of future benefit options as well as estimates under the Pension Adjustment System. • Calculate 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, including the application of the Pension Adjustment System. • Review documentation required for proof of residence and changes in country of residence to determine eligibility and effective date. • Review Certificate of Entitlement signatures to ensure continued eligibility for pension benefits. • Participate in the standardization of procedures and texts for communications originated by the Section. • Participate in training activities related to the Section’s work, including the preparation of drafts and training material; compilation of relevant information; and provision of training to individuals outside the Section. • Perform other related duties, as assigned. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Payroll and Finance Officers, Human Resources Officers, active participants, retirees, beneficiaries and administrative staff of member organizations of the UNJSPF. Results Expected: Under the guidance of a Senior Benefits Assistant or a junior professional and the Chief of Section, processes work and related follow-up in an efficient and timely manner. Addresses unforeseen situations, seeking advice from and/or reporting to the supervisor, as applicable. Advises participants (active and retired) adequately on various pension rules and procedures. Depending on the location of the position, the incumbent is expected to perform a variety of pension functions, ensuring completeness and accuracy of all required data for Fund enrolment and maintenance of pension records; establishing amounts of UNJSPF benefits payable and recalculating existing benefits upon death of beneficiary or change of country of residence.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the UNSJPF Regulations and Rules and Pension Adjustment System and related procedures. Knowledge of various employee benefit schemes related to pension. Knowledge of accounting processes and procedures applicable to the administration of employee benefit schemes. 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 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.

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Not available.

A 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 pensions 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.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is 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).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

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

• This temporary position is available for 364 days with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funding. • The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is an independent inter-agency body established by the United Nations General Assembly. The applicable human resources procedures are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Any candidate from a member organization of 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. • This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Please upload proof of citizenship or permanent residency in the country of the duty station. Alternatively, please upload a copy of your legal status and work authorization document in the country of the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. • Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident of the duty station. • Staff members are subject to the authority of the head of the entity 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. • The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.