Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the Geneva Office of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The incumbent reports to the Deputy Chief, Finance Client Service and Records Management Section (FCRMS).

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy-Chief of FCRMS and general supervision of the Chief of the Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

– Executes, monitors and follows-up the Payment, Account, and Cashier service functions in relation to activities assigned to the Geneva Office of the Fund, in charge of Europe, Africa and Middle East. 

a) Payment related functions
– Ensures timely and errorless follow-up of the monthly pension Payroll execution covering the beneficiaries residing in the regions or responsibilities of the Office, and paid in all currencies. 
– Provides guidance to, and monitors execution by finance staff on modification of payroll instructions to the Fund’s bank as called for, e.g., by last minute information on death of pensioners, suspension of payment, etc… 
– Prepares Geneva Payroll Closing Status of Entitlement Report
– Facilitates the Annual Mailing of Tax Statement
– Liaises with his/her Fund’s New York Payroll section counterpart to resolve payroll discrepancies. 
– Monitors and follows-up the non-execution of monthly pension payments, ensures that funds are credited back to the Fund’s accounts and re-issued as necessary 
– Carries out recovery of overpayments due to late communication of beneficiaries’ death when regular recovery procedure proved unsuccessful by contacting and following-up with Solicitors, next of kin, Estate etc., until full recovery. Identifies and recommends modalities for intricate cases.
– Approves miscellaneous and daily payments, as one of the two required signatories (reinforcing segregation of duties as recommended by the Internal and External Auditors), through the bank’s e-banking applications and interface, for those payments under the Geneva Office responsibility 
– Audits and approves the modifications of banking instructions in the Fund’s Payroll database, either technical or due to a beneficiary’s request, by ensuring that changes are effected in accordance with the International banking standards as well as Fund’s procedures, consulting banking databases, to ensure adequate routing and sorting codes. Contacts beneficiaries by mean of various media (email, fax, telephone) if necessary so that updates meet next Payroll deadline thus avoiding potential non-receipt. Secures that actions are conducted within timeframe announced in the Fund’s Policy and Quality Management.
– Conducts substantive analysis to secure that changes submitted by beneficiaries do not entail a modification of entitlement, e.g., change of country of residence and as required undertake necessary correspondence, obtaining required legal documents and or initiate change of entitlement and recommends appropriate actions such as recalculation of pension benefit, freeze of entitlement without CPI, etc.. 
– Addresses beneficiaries inquiries related to: adjustments of their benefits (cost of living), variations of their pension amount, health Insurance issues.

(b) Accounting related functions
-Reviews and approves estimate on contributory service due to validation of prior non-contribution service.
– Reviews and approves estimate on contributory service due to restoration of prior contributory service.
– Reviews and approves calculation of amount due on transfer of pension rights to outside Pension Fund with which UNJSPF has agreements and draft related correspondence
– Verifies and certifies monthly bank reconciliation assigned to the Geneva Office.
– Conducts pro-active analysis of bank online statements, and movements with regard to accounts assigned to the Geneva office. 


(c) Cashier service functions
– Analyses source and resolves non-receipts as well as bank charges claims through daily proactive contacts with the Funds’ banks and beneficiaries’ banks until funds are identified and credited to beneficiaries and undue charges refunded.
– Supervises the handling of non-executed payments, to ensure timely re-issuance.
– Interacts with the Funds’ banks in Geneva and New York, through the banks’ e-banking applications and direct contacts as required. 
– Identifies and recommends ways and means to execute payments and secure proper receipt by beneficiaries in special circumstances such as non-trading currencies, payments in countries with limited banking environment, difficult access, etc. 
– Approves transmission of Payment files to Banks
– Assists in ensuring timely adherence to any updated banking requirements and international reporting standards regarding payments to pensioners
– Undertakes special assignments at the request of the Chief of the Section, especially in relation to creation of procedural environment related to the Section responsibilities and monitoring of its activity, as well as ad hoc task requests. 
– Organizes and distributes work assignments among the staff of the Payroll area, to ensure efficient operations, and to provide adequate controls and the necessary back-up capability to cope with staff absences, etc; 
-Ensures efficient administration and human resources support of the GVA Finance Unit and full implementation of its mandated activities in full compliance with applicable UNJSPF Financial Regulations and Rules and UN Staff Regulations and Rules.
-Participates in enhancement of the payroll policies, procedures and work guidelines as required by the Integrated Pension Administrations System (IPAS) ensuring its consistent application under the Fund’s Rules and Regulations; 
– Participates in development of comprehensive IPAS tests’ analysis related to determination of acceptance of final results.
– Assists the Chief of FCSRMS in the Fund’s project for “Business continuity”, identifies functions and tasks not redundant between New York and the Geneva office, and formulates recommendations on ways and means of securing continuity of services in all circumstances.
– Conducts timely and ongoing analyses of Fund’s workflow range as well as non-workflow related tasks in the follow-up, payments, accounting and cashier functions to ensure that downtime in New York does not affect the Fund’s activities 
– Identifies non-redundant functions between New York and Geneva in areas such as payroll generation, daily and miscellaneous payments processes, to secure continuity of operation required for the Fund’s mandate delivery. 
– Assesses constraints related to implementation of functions no presently performed from Geneva in their technical and resources aspects. 
– Proposes plan of actions and schedule to Chief FCSRMS
– Participates in coordination with New York Office on the setting up of the new activities, their initial testing and secures monitoring so that related tasks can be immediately performed upon any event interrupting or differing their execution from one of the two offices of the Fund.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:
Knowledge of accounting principles, procedures and standards. Fundamental knowledge of multi-currency payroll structure and processing and related internal controls. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Excellent verbal skills and drafting ability in both English and French is required. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 

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.

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.

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.

JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING:
Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes though decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in finance, accounting or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budget, administration or related field is required. Experience in multi-currency payroll processing is desirable. Experience in conversion of payroll/financial systems is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Eligible candidates may be requested to undergo written knowledge-based assessment exercises, which may be followed by a competency-based interview depending on the result of the test.

Special Notice

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) between the Fund and the UN Secretariat. On the basis of the MoU and in light of the status of the UNJSPF, it was decided that General Services staff members at the GS-6 and GS-7 levels shall be eligible to apply to the position in this job opening, provided they meet the requirements of the position as set forth in this job opening. If selected, a General Service staff member would be required to resign from their appointment in the General Service category and be reappointed on a fixed-term appointment limited to service with the UNJSFP. The period of ineligibility for reemployment following resignation shall not apply to such staff resigning from the General Service or related category to take up the functions of these positions in the Fund 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. 

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.