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 Pension Fund pays benefits in 19 currencies to more than 70,000 beneficiaries who reside in 190 countries, and services more than 150,700 participants who work in the 25 member organizations of the Pension 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 within the Operations Service of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund - Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA). The Pension Entitlements Section is responsible for the calculation and processing of entitlements. The incumbent reports to the Benefits Officer or the Chief of Section and the position is located in New York. ResponsibilitiesUnder the supervision of a Benefits Officer in the Pension Entitlements Section of the Pension Fund, the Benefits Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Provides information to individual participants and pensioners/beneficiaries as well as administrative staff of the member organizations of the Pension Fund on participation, entitlements and benefits. • Routes relevant requests to appropriate parties within the Fund’s secretariat. • Undertakes necessary research in order to provide accurate information; ensures responses to queries conform to the provisions and rules and regulations of the Pension Fund and the Pension Adjustment System. • Assists in the determination of eligibility, enroll new entrants and activates retirement benefits on receipt of relevant paperwork. • Initiates administrative procedures as they relate to proof of residence, changes in country of residence, etc. • Advises relevant units, e.g., Member Organizations, Insurance Section and the Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) at local and international locations, with respect to status of retirees and beneficiaries. • Initiates computer runs for monthly activation and/or termination of benefits. • Prepares manual benefit calculations of complex cases. • Audits administrative actions and procedures relating to Fund participation. • Audits estimates of future benefit options and entitlements and all types of pension benefits, computer generated or manually processed, including the application of the Pension Adjustment System. • 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. • 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. • Performs other duties as may be required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of various employee benefit schemes related to health, life insurance and 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. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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 & 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in employee benefits administration or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. One (1) or more years of experience in using transaction processing systems and reviewing the corresponding computer output is desirable. Experience in administration of pension is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area 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).