BENEFITS ASSISTANT (Multiple Positions), New York, United States

Organizational Setting and Reporting

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 members 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 positions are 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.

Responsibilities

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

• Screens and sorts all incoming communications and forwards to appropriate team/individual.
• Provides 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.
• Drafts routine correspondence and responds to telephone enquiries in connection with pension enquiries.
• Undertakes necessary research in order to provide accurate information ensuring response conforms to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the Pension Fund, and contacts appropriate member organizations to resolve issues.
• Assists in the determination of eligibility and enrols new entrants.
• Monitors and records all changes of status, e.g., family history, change in employment situations.
• Originates and updates pension files from enrolment to separation ensuring that all relevant documentation has been received.
• Initiates other administrative actions or procedures required by changes in the status of individuals or in the pension plan.
• Calculates estimates of future benefit options as well as estimates under the Pension Adjustment System.
• Calculates 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.
• Reviews documentation required for proof of residence and changes in country of residence to determine eligibility and effective date.
• Reviews Certificate of Entitlement signatures to ensure continued eligibility to pension benefits.
• Participates in the standardization of procedures and texts for communications originated by the Section.
• Participates 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.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

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) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in the United Nations Common System is desirable. Experience in Integrated Pension Administration System (IPAS) or a similar ERP system is desirable.

Languages

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).

Required Languages

Assessment

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