Role purpose

Article 19 (a) of the Regulations of the UNJSPF provides that the investment of the assets of the Fund shall be decided upon by the Secretary-General after consultation with an Investments Committee and in the light of observations and suggestions made from time to time by the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Board on the investments policy. The General Assembly, in its resolution 35/216 B of 17 December 1980, and subsequent resolutions, reaffirmed the fiduciary responsibility of the Secretary General for the interests of the participants and beneficiaries of the Fund under the Regulations and Rules of the Fund. In addition, on numerous occasions, the United Nations General Assembly has emphasized that the Secretary-General’s decisions concerning the investment of the assets of the Fund should be guided by the key criteria of safety, profitability, liquidity and convertibility.

To assist the Secretary-General in carrying out the fiduciary responsibilities for the investment of the assets of the Fund, the Secretary-General shall appoint a representative for the investment of the assets of the Fund. The representative shall oversee the Office of Investment Management of the Fund. In its resolution A/RES/68/247 B, the General Assembly decided to establish the post of a full-time representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund at the Assistant Secretary-General level.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Secretary-General and in consultation with the Investments Committee of the Fund and in the light of observations and suggestions made from time to time by the Pension Board on investments policy, will exercise discretionary authority over the investment of the assets of the Fund and will be responsible for the overall investment policy and for oversight and management of the investments of the Fund.
• Will lead the investment operations in terms of strategy and policy analysis, asset allocation, portfolio management and investment decision-making; risk management and compliance and monitoring; and back-office accounting, trade settlement, cash management and systems and information technology requirements.
• Supervising the Director of the Office of Investments Management, will ensure that all the operations and functions of the Office are properly coordinated and coherent, are aligned to safeguard fiduciary responsibilities, support the goals of the office and enhance the long-term sustainability of the Fund.
• Will work and collaborate closely and effectively with the Chief Executive of Pension Administration regarding the performance of their respective functions to ensure optimum results with respect to the Fund’s asset/liability management.
• Is responsible for investment policy, strategic and tactical asset allocation and the appropriate investment strategy in consultation with the Investments Committee and in the light of observations and suggestions made from time to time by the Pension Board on investments policy.
• Will oversee the implementation of investment decisions and ensure that the approved investment policy and asset allocation are followed.

Within delegated authority, the representative of the Secretary-General will provide overall oversight and management of the investment of the Fund, involving the following:

• Investments – In consultation with the Investments Committee established in accordance with article 20 of the regulations of the Fund, and in the light of observations and suggestions made from time to time by the Board on investment policy:
  • Be responsible for an investment strategy and a coherent framework of investment operations aimed at meeting and exceeding the long-term real rate of return goal;
  • Define the Investment Management Division’s globally diversified portfolio and the strategic and tactical asset allocation of the Fund; define the main investment strategies for diversified portfolios to generate investment returns corresponding to the long-term real rate of return issued in the Fund’s actuarial assumptions to meet its long-term obligations of maintaining the solvency of the Fund;
  • Ensure adherence to the investment criteria established by the General Assembly (i.e., safety, profitability, liquidity and convertibility) and to the objectives of preserving the principal of the Fund and of obtaining optimal investment return without undue risk;
  • Ensure consistency between investments and overall established risk tolerance; ensure the implementation of the established investment strategy and asset allocation; and conduct general monitoring and management of the investments and portfolio management;

• Risk and Compliance – Ensure the establishment and maintenance of appropriate internal controls and risk management systems;
• Operations – Ensure the alignment of the operations and information systems technology with the Fund’s investment strategy and policy;
• Accounting – Is responsible for carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary-General under article 19 (b) of the regulations of the Fund to maintain detailed accounts of all investments and other transactions relating to the Fund are maintained and ensure the integrity and reliability of investment  data reflected in the financial statements of the Fund and in other relevant documents, as well as to implement risk management and adequate financial controls on investments;
• Intergovernmental Bodies – Liaise with and report to the Pension Board, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the General Assembly on the performance of the Fund’s investments, providing answers and explanations to questions on performance, structure of the portfolio, investment policies and strategies, custodial arrangements, global economic and financial market conditions, investment forecast/outlook and requirements for the financing of operations; present proposals on the financing and servicing of the Investment Management Division; and liaise and work closely with the Board and its committees;

• Oversight Bodies -Liaise and consult with the Fund’s oversight bodies (the United Nations Board of Auditors, the Audit Committee of the Fund and the Office of Internal Oversight Services of the Secretariat) and ensure the implementation of the accepted recommendations of such oversight bodies as appropriate.

Profile

The Secretary-General is seeking an individual with the following attributes:

Education

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in business management, economics, finance, banking and portfolio investment management or related fields.

Work Experience

• Over 20 years of proven progressively responsible experience in the management of economic, social security and/or financial policies and activities for governmental or intergovernmental organizations or for substantial private concerns, including, proven track record of extensive relevant experience in the management of investment of complex portfolios of assets of various classes, such as pension funds, including their risk management, and in financial markets.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required.
• A working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

Demonstrated direct knowledge of and experience in managing financial, economic and investment policies, including:

• Defining and overseeing investment policy for substantial and diversified investment portfolios having long-term return objectives, including policies for investment objectives, risk appetite and tolerance, the risk framework, the investment milieu, restrictions on investments, and social responsibility considerations;
• Developing strategic asset allocation for portfolios aiming for long-term rates of return, particularly for defined-benefit pension or other similar long-term social security and similar benefit schemes where long-term asset-liability management considerations are paramount;
• Developing, implementing and monitoring investment strategies and overseeing research on economic and other trends affecting financial markets;
• Managing interdisciplinary and internationally diverse teams of financial professionals in a multicultural working environment;
• Reporting to and coordinating with governing organs (e.g. legislative bodies, boards and committees) on investment, financial and/or technical matters.
• Impeccable personal and professional integrity, with high commitment to the values and guiding principles of the United Nations.
• Professionalism – Demonstrated competence in and adherence to the standards of conduct of the profession and in the application of best practices; strong conceptual and analytical skills; proven conscientiousness and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; ability to direct, review and guide the work of others, particularly in terms of substantive soundness;
• Vision – Demonstrated ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks and to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction and objectives to all stakeholders;
• Leadership – Proven track record of excellent management and technical leadership skills; proven ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies and to establish good relationships and build team spirit with a broad range of people; demonstrated competence for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrated knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing;
• Planning and organizing – Demonstrated excellence in successful planning with strong managerial skills; proven ability to plan and establish priorities and to ensure effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals;
• Judgement/decision making – Mature judgement and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact; demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction; proven ability to identify key issues in complex situations and to take adequate decisions while being aware of their impact on others and on the Organization;
• Communication – Excellent oral and written communication and negotiation skills with proven ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to intergovernmental bodies, senior officials and staff; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful;
• Teamwork – Good interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations; ability to lead and gain the assistance of others in a team endeavour.

Terms of Appointment

The representative of the Secretary-General shall be appointed for a term of up to 5 years, with the possibility of reappointment(s) up to a total maximum service of 10 years.

Role Location

New York, U.S.A

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 07 November 2025 (23:59 hrs, GMT -4). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund to undertake this assignment.