Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Secretary-General is responsible for the investment of the assets of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). The Secretary-General has delegated this responsibility to the Representative of the Secretary-General for the investment of the assets of the UNJSPF (RSG). The RSG heads the Office of Investment Management (OIM), which manages a $95+ billion multi-asset class, global investment portfolio, about 85% of which is actively managed in-house. Asset classes under management comprise global equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, timber, and commodities. OIM’s staff are all based in New York but come from over 40 countries. For more information, please visit OIM’s website at https://oim.unjspf.org/. The Senior Investment Officer (Quantitative Strategy) reports to the Deputy Chief Investment Officer (DCIO, D-1).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Investment Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1) Support the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and DCIO in investing and managing the assets of the Fund to produce the optimal investment return that avoids undue risk, balancing long-term strategies effective over an investment cycle and short-term tactics to achieve results superior to the benchmarks: a) Support the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and DCIO in establishing the asset allocation and investment strategies through quantitative analysis in fundamental and technical factors in global economy, capital markets, responsible investing and any other relevant factors. b) Develop and implement a quantitative investment strategy for the portfolio in the assigned assets including, but not limited to, public equity and fixed income in seeking superior performance over the benchmark by leveraging statistical models, algorithmic trading, and data analysis techniques to identify investment opportunities and manage portfolios across global equity markets. c) Conduct due diligence in selecting the external managers for the quantitative strategies and monitoring the portfolios in comparison with the respective benchmark. Evaluate the managers periodically and make recommendation to the CIO and DCIO on rebalancing of the managers. d) Minimizing probability of significant under performance versus the benchmark and achieving high information ratios: over calendar year, rolling 3-year and longer time periods; e) Integrating Sustainable Investing principles into investment considerations. 2) Contribute actively to discussions and decisions in the Internal Investment Committee (IIC) on tactical asset allocation. 3) Participate in Investments Committee meetings when requested and prepares the required inputs; Ensure that the DCIO, Chief Investment Officer of OIM and the Representative of the Secretary-General (RSG) for investments of UNJSPF have accurate and timely reports on investments and related matters for the UNJSPB, the ACABQ and the General Assembly. 4) Manages, supervises and carries out the work programme of the unit under his/her responsibility by: Complying with the Investment Policy, investment and risk guidelines, and all of the UN rules and regulations; a) Ensuring that the investments are in line with the OIM investment policy; b) Promotes a high standard of transparency and accountability in all aspects of the management of the assets of the Fund through accurate record keeping; c) Directs production of investment data that is accurate and timely; d) Ensures the highest quality financial resource management and seeking best value for money in use of the resources including, but not limited to, advisors, research providers, database, travel and consultants; interacting effectively with internal and external auditors to ensure that assets are fully protected. 5) Ensures that OIM maintains a high level of professional investment expertise and knowledge by: a) Exploring published economic and investment material provided by investment banks, brokers, government sources and financial analysts; Participating in seminars on investment topics; b) Carrying out administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the unit, including budgets, conducting evaluation of staff performance (e-PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates; c) Managing effectively underperformance, discipline and conduct issues, as well as fostering mobility and career pathing of staff. 6) Perform other duties as assigned. a) Initiate and lead special projects designed to improve the work programme at OIM and enhance performance. b) Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

Core Competencies: • Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • 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. Managerial Competencies • 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 improvements; 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. • Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidences in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to theirs; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in Business Admin. (MBA), Finance, Economics or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience and a proven track record of quantitative strategies in portfolio management and quantitative investment analysis is required. A minimum of 5 years of experience in quantitative investments as a portfolio manager is required. Experience showing an in depth understanding of financial markets, investment strategies and risk management principles is required. A minimum of 5 years of experience in quantitative analysis of asset allocation is desirable. Experience with in-house portfolio management in institutional investment managers or asset owners of a similar or larger size, to the assets to UNJSPF is desirable. Experience in integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in portfolio decision making is desirable. Experience with financial modelling and programming languages such as Python, financial software and databases is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• Funding for this position is subject to approval and therefore the selection and onboarding of the successful candidate may be expected in early 2025. • For this position, the lateral and geographical requirement outlined in section 6.4 of the Staff Selection System, ST/AI/2010/3, is waived. • Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. • The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • Appointment at the United Nations is subject to mandatory adherence to the United Nations Financial Disclosure Programme. An appointment to the Office of Investment Management (OIM) of the UNJSPF additionally requires compliance with the rules and regulations pertaining to OIM’s Code of Ethics, Personal Securities, Gift and Hospitality policies. • For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 November 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Oman ,Panama, Paraguay, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon, Islands, Somalia, Turkmenistan, United States of America.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.