Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Health and Life Insurance Section (HLIS), Finance Division, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget in the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. The Chief of Section reports to the Chief of Service. The Health and Life Insurance Section is responsible for financial and operational administration of the medical, dental and life insurance programme of active and retired staff and their eligible household members, and coordinates with various offices within and outside the UN, such as insurance carriers and third-party administrators, to resolve insurance benefit issues, and manage benefit plan financial matters, including the determination of plan premiums, reviews of insurance claim experience, as well as processing of death claims for life insurance, and following up on the status of health and life insurance claims.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Health and Life Insurance Section will be responsible for the following:

• Provides policy guidance to the Chief of Service, in formulating proposals for policies and procedures in respect of the United Nations health and life insurance programmes, covering staff members and retirees of the United Nations and other participating entities.
• Plans and oversees the management of health and life insurance service operations undertaken by the Section; ensures delivery of excellent client service; oversees the resolution of benefit issues, coordinating diverse projects in the Section, and, in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
• Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates and oversees the financial management, benefit provision, and benefit plan communication and operational work carried out by the Section; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others.
• Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate; ensures the adherence to premium sharing ratios prescribed by the General Assembly.
• Contributes to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in annual reports.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Service, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
• Recruits staff for Section taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in Section and across organizational boundaries.
• Represents the Organization at Medical Insurance Plan (MIP) meetings, acting as focal point on substantive and administrative-related issues for local staff members and retirees.
• Serves as Secretary of the Health and Life Insurance Committee and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on the full range of health and life insurance issues falling under the purview of the Committee. Competencies Professionalism: Ability to provide advice in the area of employee benefits operations and accounting to the Director, Head of Department and senior managers; knowledge of public sector rules, regulations, policies and guidelines related to health insurance; ability to prepare reports or rationale with respect to key insurance decisions; ability to manage health insurance programmes and formulate new strategies and approaches to health insurance issues and related areas; mastery of health insurance matters including current developments and practices within the industry. 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. 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 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. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. 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. Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law or related area is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job – Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in administration, budget, finance, human resources management or related field is required. Experience servicing a large number of clients, dealing with time sensitive and complex health administration matters is required. Experience leading a large team is required. Experience working with United Nations or an…