Head, ILO Staff Pension Unit

Introduction

The position is based in the Policy and Social Benefits Branch (HR/POL) of the HRD Department. The Branch is responsible for the management and administration of social benefits, including health insurance (secretariat of the ILO/ITU Staff Health Insurance Fund – SHIF), pension benefits (secretariat of the ILO Staff Pensions Committee), staff compensation (secretariat of the Compensation Committee) and voluntary benefits (death and invalidity insurance). The Branch is also responsible for the design, development, implementation, communication and review of all policies, rules and procedures relating to the terms and conditions of employment of ILO staff. 

As Head of the Pension Unit, the incumbent is responsible for overseeing the operations connected with administration of the Organization's pension schemes (the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and the ILO (closed) Pension Fund and the Special Payments Fund. The incumbent manages a team of HR support staff and provides advisory services on pension and other staff-related social benefits (including disability coverage). The incumbent acts as Secretary to the ILO Staff Pension Committee (SPC) in accordance with Art. 8 of the UNJSPF Regulations and Rules and is the primary point of contact with the UNJSPF Secretariat. The incumbent is an important and integral part of the Fund's governance structure. His/her roles and responsibilities vis-a-vis the Fund are defined and governed by the UNJSPF Regulations and Rules. He/She reports to the Branch Chief and collaborates with other human resources and support functions
 

Specific Duties

1.    Supervise the full range of pension operations for ILO staff worldwide (including: affiliation, registration, IT system transactions and interfaces, documentation processing, tracking, staff briefing, and separation formalities).

2.    Plan and manage the work of the unit, including the assignment of work and setting of priorities, with a focus on the delivery of quality client-oriented services.

3.    Ensure that the UNJSPF Rules and Regulations are correctly interpreted and applied (both at ILO headquarters and in the regions) in relation to participation, contributions and payments.

4.    Provide authoritative advice and take decisions on complicated non-routine cases involving interpretation of UNJSPF Rules and Regulations in coordination with other human resources management functions.

5.    Take corrective action where necessary, including on employee pension data recording, and develop new approaches and innovative solutions to improve workflows and standard operating procedures.

6.    Oversee the pension-related financial data under his/her responsibility and contribute to financial analysis and reporting; coordinate the year-end closure in consultation with the payroll team, involving accounting and reconciliation activities for pension-related aspects.

7.    Calculate complex benefits and entitlements under UNJSPF Rules.

8.    Act as focal point for computer systems related to pension, explore possibility for enhancing the existing systems and interfaces by liaising with the UNJSPF and the ILO IT Department.

9.    Oversee and ensure a modern and up-to-date web repository and websites aimed at facilitating the client experience of the users of ILO pension services worldwide.

10.    Provide briefing sessions and training on UNJSPF self-service web services for ILO participants.

11.    Assist the Branch Chief to analyse existing social benefits for ILO staff and recommend enhancements for insurance coverage as necessary; provide inputs to organize competitive bidding processes as required; negotiate contract terms and ensure corresponding implementation in the ILO statutory framework, work procedures and internal systems.

12.    As Secretary of the ILO SPC, the incumbent will: service and manage SPC meetings and interact with all constituent groups (International Labour Conference, executive head and participants);  assume responsibility for the submission of disability cases to the Pension Committee and for onward forwarding to the Pension Fund for further approval;  ensure the organization of participation of ILO pension committee in meetings of the Pension Board, the Standing Committee and working groups involved in the consideration of pension matters

13.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
 

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

optional section (only if needed)

Generic Duties

1. Review the work of other professional and general service staff for compliance with HR rules and regulations and for soundness of judgement and conclusions. May also directly supervise a specialized HR unit.
2. Provide expert advice on the development, implementation and administration of the area(s) of functional responsibility. 
3. Assess and determine organisational and programme needs for new or modified HR policies and practices, taking into account changing circumstances and environment, and consult with managers and staff representatives on proposed HR policies or modifications, participating in negotiations with the Staff Union as required.
4. Conceive, formulate, test and advocate within the Organization new and/or improved approaches, processes or techniques for the delivery of HR services. Develop comprehensive and proactive procedures and programmes to deal with the HR needs of the Organization. Plan, direct and monitor the introduction of changes.
5. Formulate the position of the Organization on HR policies and on the application of rules and regulations to highly sensitive or contentious cases and recommend appropriate action to senior management.
6. Analyse and ensure compatibility of HR regulations formulated at inter-agency level with those formulated and applied by the Organization.
7. Determine contentious and complex cases of eligibility of staff to entitlements or benefits. Certify benefits and ensure the correct application of decisions taken at the common system level on entitlements and benefits.
8. Serve as secretary to policy level committees in the area of expertise. Present and discuss technical matters and provide technical advice on positions to be taken at the inter-agency level.
9. Represent the Organization at inter-agency meetings as well as on missions. Prepare papers and statistics, exchange information on practices, negotiate the adaptation of common system practices, and enhance collaboration at the common system level.  Represent the HR department in working group and joint committee meetings in the area of functional responsibility.
10. Prepare and conduct training in the relevant HR field.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in human resources management, finance, legal, business or public administration, or other relevant field. A first level-university degree in a relevant field plus two additional years of relevant experience in social benefits administration may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Experience

Seven years of professional experience in the field of pension and social benefits, of which at least three years at the international level, including supervisory functions.

Languages

Excellent command of English and a working knowledge of another official language (French, Spanish) of the Organization. A working knowledge of a third official language will be an asset. 

Competencies

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:

Technical

Proven knowledge of pension schemes and social benefits at both national and international level. Acquaintance with HR administration, policies and procedures in UN common system organizations or other international organizations. Knowledge of UNJSPF policies and procedures is desirable. Ability to undertake financial analysis and calculate complex benefit entitlements under UNJSPF Rules and Regulations. Excellent knowledge of the theories, principles, methods, practices and techniques of human resources management. Thorough knowledge of the Organization’s HR policies, rules and procedures. Ability to plan and organise work and to provide guidance and training to staff. Ability to provide expert advice. Ability to persuasively negotiate sensitive and contentious issues. Ability to represent the Organization and to present positions and papers in meetings and committees.


Behavioural
Client orientation. Orientation to change.  High degree of tact, diplomacy, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.