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This is an external vacancy notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a Fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The WTO seeks to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity and to build an organization that is representative of the Members and People it serves. As an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, the WTO gives full regard to competence and welcome applications from qualified candidates irrespective of age, disability status, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, social origin or any other characteristic. Applications from non-represented Members ( link ) are particularly encouraged for all positions.

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The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the post of Senior Pension Officer in the Finance and Corporate Services Division (FCSD).

FCSD provides a range of financial and general services in key areas to support the WTO Secretariat in achieving its objectives. 

General Functions

Under the supervision of the Secretary of the WTO Pension Plan (WTOPP), the incumbent will manage operations of the Plan, supervise the pension administration team, manage relationships with external service providers and assist the Secretary in servicing the WTOPP Management Board. 

The incumbent's responsibilities include the following:

1. Manage administrative services of the Plan in full compliance with the Regulations and Rules of the WTOPP. This will include maintaining individual records for participants and beneficiaries, checking pension contributions and benefit entitlements, processing payment of benefits and requests for transfer of pension rights, preparing individual disability cases for the Management Board's decision.

2. Monitor the pension scheme performance and prepare reports for the Secretary of the WTOPP and the WTOPP Management Board, and assist in reviewing, discussing and agreeing the funding strategy.

3. Supervise, train, coach, advise team members, partners and stakeholders on relevant procedures and processes.

4. Organise and lead meetings with the WTOPP Secretariat team and WTO partners (e.g. payroll or HR) to exchange information, deal with outstanding issues, improve processes and resolve any problems. 

5. Manage relationships with external advisers and outsourced service providers including the administrative service provider, accountants, investment adviser, actuaries, medical adviser, and other providers. This includes ensuring the Plan receives high quality outsourced service within required deadlines. Assist FCSD management and the Board by producing periodic performance evaluations of external advisors and outsourced service advisers to ensure value for money services. Assist with the coordination of procurement exercises for key external service providers, as appropriate. 

6. Approve payments and ensure the accuracy of benefit calculations, and all data and reports relating to the Pension Plan.

7. Lead WTOPP financial reporting activities, including the preparation of the Annual report, financial statements, and actuarial valuation report, and manage relationship with the external auditors during the financial reporting exercise.

8. Carry out the Plan's annual portfolio rebalancing and execute any Management Board decision on investment, in coordination with the Plan's investment advisor. Manage the Plan's cash flow.

9. In coordination with the Secretary, prepare the agenda and other relevant documents for the Management Board's formal and informal meetings. Identify risks, challenges, or governance issues, and communicate accordingly with the Secretary and the Board including to prepare corresponding solution proposals.

10. Initiate and follow up claims of reimbursements or other amounts due to the Plan by virtue of its tax-exempt status or per existing or future contracts or agreements.

11. Perform financial controls including the review and validation of E-banking and other payments processed by team members.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
An advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Actuarial Science, or another related field is required.
Credentials in pension management and administration or international finance and administration are desired. 

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Skills:
•    Expertise in pensions and benefits administration.
•    Strong level of understanding in key areas related to pension administration.
•    Advanced skills of computing and office applications, especially spreadsheet and word processing applications.
•    Ability to compile, understand and analyse complex data sets to produce financial and management reporting, and apply mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk.
•    Excellent drafting skills.

Behavioural Skills:
•    Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks according to time constraints.
•    A high level of integrity, and a strong client service-oriented mindset.
•    Capacity to handle conflict situations and persuade others.
•    Ability to lead and work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to achieve objectives.
•    Excellent communication and relationship building skills.

Organizational Competencies:

Core Competencies: 
•    Communicating for Results
•    Effective Collaboration
•    Cultivating Progressive Growth
•    Professional Accountability
•    Relevant Digital Proficiency
•    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Leadership and Management Competencies:
•    Talent Centred Leadership
•    Coordinated Cross Functional Leadership
•    Self-Aware Leadership
•    Strategic Leadership

Work Experience:
At least eight years of experience in pension management or another similar function is required.
Experience in a supervisory role is required. 
Experience with a defined benefit pension plan in an international or public sector organization is desired.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required. 
Knowledge of Spanish is desired.

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.