Pension Fund Senior Assistant

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The IFRC Pension Fund (PF) is an independent unit within the IFRC, and it has its own legal entity, under the Swiss law. It is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of IFRC staff members and administered by the Pension Fund Manager and an Officer. The PF Assistant reports to the Pension Fund Manager.

This position is based in Geneva. 

Part time 50%-60%

Reporting to the Pension Fund Manager, this position will support the Pension Fund Officer and Manager in the daily administration of the Pension Fund, ensuring coverage of the Pension Fund Administration’s activities on a wide range of complex administrative issues. 

• Under the guidance of Pension Fund (PF) Officer, ensure daily administration of the PF and respond to requests from active and retired members. Follow-up of deadlines for various reports.
• Liaise with HR Department and the actuary (AON Hewitt) for the transmission and recording of data concerning new memberships, terminations, retirements, changes in current memberships (salary modifications etc.)
  Create personal files for new members, maintain and update current files. Support the organisation of the PF filing system (electronic and paper).
• Monitor PF’s email box, extracting those requiring action (new contracts, PF terminations etc.), referring when relevant to the PF Officer/Manager, and filing those to be retained in members’ personal files (contract extensions etc.).
• Update spreadsheets and databases related to active members and pensioners.
• Provide information to insured members and pensioners
  • General information to new joiners including pension certificate
  • Termination benefit projections and requests for payment instructions to leaving members
  • Information to pensioners updating them on developments concerning their pensions (pension enhancements, annual pension statements for tax authorities etc.)

• Support the processing of payments (with two authorized signatures): invoices, monthly pension transfers, termination benefits to leaving members, capitals payable on retirement and other.
• Ensure preparation and submission to the relevant tax authorities of statements on withholding tax deducted on pensions and lump-sum capital payments where applicable.
• Draft correspondence and short documents in English and French and proofread externally produced translations into English.
• Prepare documentation and presentations for meetings (in French and English).
• Update of the PF’s FedNet page (FR & ENG)
• Support the Board of Trustees’ work by organising and participating in meetings.
• Prepare and distribute documentation as required.
• Provide information on medical insurance of pensioners and update of the database of retirees’ health insurance premiums and contributions.

Required 

• Commercial school or a combination of education and equivalent experience 

Preferred

• Professionally qualified is desirable or working towards professional qualification or qualified by experience

Required 

• Minimum 3 -5 years’ experience in the finance services industry
• 5 years’ experience in Swiss social insurance, specifically Pension Fund
  

Preferred

• Experience working in a multi-cultural, cross-functional international environment

Knowledge and Skills 

Required 

• High integrity as well as maturity and discretion in handling confidential matters
• Details oriented, precision and accuracy
• Self-supporting in computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat)
• Good interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to work to a high standard, in detail and to respond flexibly and positively in a demanding environment
• Ability to work effectively under pressure

Preferred

• Professional knowledge of Pension Fund/actuary program system

Languages 

Required 

• Fluent spoken and written French and English

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability