Senior Administrative Officer

UN Secretariat; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat is seeking a Senior Administrative Officer to lead the Health and Life Insurance Section (HLIS) and provide policy guidance on staff health and life insurance programs. The role includes formulating proposals on benefit levels, premium contributions, and program rules, while managing daily HLIS operations and staff performance.

The incumbent will negotiate contracts with providers, collaborate with the Joint Staff Pension Fund, and serve as Secretary to the Health and Life

Qualifications

• A Master’s or Doctorate in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field is required.
• Bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience may substitute for an advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Provide policy guidance and formulate proposals on health and life insurance programs, including premium contributions and benefit levels.
• Determine modifications to rules and present proposals to senior officials and the Health and Life Insurance Committee.
• Draft administrative issuances related to eligibility and benefit coverage.
• Manage HLIS operations, staff performance, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee benefit issue resolution and respond to tribunals; monitor financial performance.

Skills

Policy Guidance

Program Management

Financial Administration

Staff Management

Negotiation

Stakeholder Engagement

Reporting

Budgeting

Client Orientation

Communication

Education

Master's degree in business/finance/accounting or related field

Alternative: Bachelor's degree with 2 extra years of relevant experience

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Organizational context: This role is within the Health and Life Insurance Section (HLIS) of the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. HLIS manages the financial and operational aspects of UN staff and retiree insurance programs. The section coordinates with external entities and internal UN offices to resolve benefit issues and manage financial matters. The Senior Administrative Officer reports to the Chief of Service.

Job purpose: The Senior Administrative Officer provides policy guidance and manages the daily operations of the Health and Life Insurance Section (HLIS). This involves formulating proposals on insurance program policies, rules, benefits, and premium contributions for UN staff and retirees. The role includes overseeing service operations, managing and training staff, resolving benefit issues, monitoring financial performance, and negotiating contracts with insurance providers. The incumbent also collaborates with the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, represents the organization at meetings, and serves as Secretary to the Health and Life Insurance Committee, preparing documentation for its deliberations. The position requires managing programmatic and administrative tasks essential for the section's functioning.

Responsibilities: Provide policy guidance and formulate proposals on UN health and life insurance programs, including premium contributions and benefit levels. Determine modifications to rules and present proposals to senior officials and the Health and Life Insurance Committee (HLIC). Draft administrative issuances related to eligibility and benefit coverage. Manage daily operations of HLIS, ensuring effective service delivery and client satisfaction. Plan and oversee service operations, manage, train, and evaluate staff performance. Oversee the resolution of benefit issues and respond to cases before tribunals. Monitor financial performance of insurance plans and ensure adherence to premium sharing ratios. Administer and negotiate health and life insurance contracts with commercial providers for over 150,000 individuals. Collaborate with the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund on related matters. Coordinate special projects and liaise with UN System organizations and stakeholders. Represent the organization at insurance plan meetings and serve as a focal point for substantive and administrative issues. Act as Secretary for the HLIC, preparing substantive documentation. Perform administrative tasks including budget preparation, performance monitoring, and staff evaluation.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate) in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field is required. A Bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience may substitute for an advanced degree.

Work experience: A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in health insurance program administration, plan design, and management is required. Senior managerial experience in a global health insurance environment serving a large client base is essential. Leadership experience in resolving complex health administration matters and managing stakeholder relationships is necessary. Experience managing a large, high-performing team and engaging with actuaries is also required. Experience with US Medicare, underwriting, ERP systems, and large global organization policies is desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, Communication, Client Orientation, Managing Performance, Policy Guidance, Program Management, Financial Administration, Staff Management, Negotiation, Stakeholder Engagement, Reporting, Budgeting.

Required languages: English, French

Desired languages: