Job Description

Deadline for Applications

April 8, 2026

Hardship Level

H (no hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-04-01

Standard Job Description

Benefits Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The position is part of HR Staff Services (HRSS) within the Division of People Management (DPM).

The Benefits Associate will function under the direct supervision of the Assistant/Associate Benefits Officer in the Budapest GSC. As the primary focal point for all benefits-related issues for insured staff, the incumbent will provide advice and guidance to UNHCR staff and eligible dependants on all medical insurance, benefits, and related matters, and process all medical and compensation claims, incl. payments for Appendix D and other related benefits. The incumbent will be responsible for the enrolment of all eligible staff members and de-enrolment of inactive employees, and the collection of contributions as appropriate.

The Benefits Associate will work in one of the benefits teams in the Benefits Unit. The Unit administers insurance plans, processes all compensation claims, and provides efficient services within a culture of customer service and continuous business improvement, knowledge sharing and innovation.

The incumbent will be working in a discreet working environment in which various staff- and benefits-related matters will be discussed and actions initiated. The confidentiality of data and the need to deal with clients in a courteous and efficient manner are salient features of this position; the Benefits Associate commits to maintaining confidentiality and respecting the privacy of all insured members due to the sensitive nature of their functions. The incumbent will perform his/her duties fully observing all applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Frequent contacts are insured clients and medical service providers worldwide, as well as counterparts in Medical Section, HQ Liaison and Compensation Unit, or UNSMIS, to ensure the provision of services and resolution of difficult problems. The incumbent will also liaise with Sections/Units/Offices within the Organization both at HQ and the Field as required to effectively discharge their duties.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Administer medical insurance plans for enrolled staff, strictly adhering to applicable rules and procedures and in accordance with all applicable benefits administration policies.
• Process in a timely and efficient manner medical insurance claims and compensation claims under Appendix D, damage to / loss of personal effects, and the Malicious Acts Insurance Policy.
• Act as a focal point to provide accurate information to enrolled staff on benefits-related rules & regulations, procedures, reimbursable benefits, membership, the status of claims, etc., give advice, and ensure administrative support as required.
• Maintain an appropriate filing system for all benefits-related documents.
• Settle clinic and other third-party invoices, as appropriate, to medical service providers.
• Issue letters of guarantee of payment to hospitals for staff members and dependants as appropriate.
• Issue travel authorization for staff members proceeding on Medical Evacuation.
• Dispatch medical reports to the Medical Service.
• Conduct impromptu visits to hospitals, where applicable, to verify the authenticity of claims.
• Seek clarification discreetly on medical bills that appear fraudulent or unclear.
• Consult relevant units and management on matters that require additional information and guidance.
• Propose improvements to the work of the Benefits team/Unit.
• Facilitate periodic client satisfaction surveys.
• Participate in Outreach and Duty of Care related activities as required.
• Replace absent colleagues based on the distribution of tasks established within the team.

• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Business Administration; Office Management; Human Resources Management

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Previous job experience relevant to the function or in a related field. Refined expertise in utilizing Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Desirable

Operational knowledge of Workday and medical insurance claim processing systems. Knowledge of administering insurance schemes. Proficiency in French.

Functional Skills

HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits

IT-MS Office Applications

IT-Computer Literacy

IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Managing Resource

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Planning & Organizing

Political Awareness

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate has experience in HR Service Delivery, preferably in the UN setup, and a strong commitment to learning. She/He must be a team player and demonstrate a cordial, respectful, client-service-oriented attitude that inspires trust from colleagues and counterparts. Experience and/or background in HR/Entitlement Administration is highly desired. Additionally, experience in one or more of the following areas is an advantage:
(i) Medical Insurance Claim Processing
(ii) Claim administering and/or dealing with related special measures
(iii) Managing incoming hospital invoices and related direct payments
(iv) Providing global support for local MIP administrators

To successfully discharge the functions of the position, the ideal candidate must have sound analytical skills and good judgment to accurately determine eligibility for reimbursement within the applicable rules and ensure coherent and consistent application of the regulatory framework as well as compliance. Close attention to detail and a proactive, solution-oriented approach are crucial, and the incumbent should be highly motivated in keeping up to date with the changes in policies and procedures, actively contributing to the periodical adjustment of internal processes to uphold the Unit’s efficiency. Furthermore, the successful candidate should possess excellent organizational skills, sound time management, and proficiency with business IT tools. Familiarity with Outlook, MS Teams, and Excel is essential; hands-on experience with Workday HR and/or Cloud ERP is desirable; familiarity with Medical Insurance Information Systems is an asset.

A strong command of English and Russian is mandatory. Knowledge of other languages, whether UN or non-UN, is desirable to facilitate the administration of the MIP claims of local staff or contacting local service providers.

Additional information:

Candidates are expected to have the right to work in Hungary. UNHCR does not facilitate the obtaining of the visa for recruitment.

For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher.

NOTE: A completed and relevant minimum first level university degree (equivalent to BA or higher) shall count in full (100%) towards the required years of work experience. Priority will be given to eligible applicants meeting the full requirements.

Remuneration:

In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

G6 - Salary range: NET 854,066.5 HUF - NET 1,000,381 HUF.

Benefits:

Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 2.5 working days for each full calendar months of service (i.e. 30 working days per year).

Pension system: Staff members holding a fixed-term appointment will become participants in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).

Health insurance plan: locally recruited staff members in Budapest will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). The coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

English

,

Russian

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The position will be part of the Benefits Unit (MIP Team) in Budapest, Hungary, and contribute to facilitating the worldwide centralization of MIP claims processing, whereby these functions will gradually be transferred from the field to Budapest HQ. The primary responsibility of the Benefits Unit – which is currently in a phase of expansion to accommodate the centralization – is to manage MIP claims processing for locally employed staff and to address queries coming from UNHCR staff.

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Education

Certifications

Business Administration - Other, Human Resources Management - Other, Office Management - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Please peruse Desired Candidate Profile before applying.
Russian is required for this position in addition to English, and knowledge of any other language is an asset.
Applicants may be required to sit for a written test.

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance