UK Research and Innovation
Salary:£29,923 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).
Hours:Full time (minimum 37 hours per week)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location:Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire.
Closing Date: 4th February 2025
About JSS
JSS (Joint Superannuation Services) is responsible for the operational in-house administration of the Research Councils' Pension Scheme (RCPS). The team deal with everything from the enrolment and joining of new members to retirements and then managing pensions in payment, as well as managing the finances of the scheme, member communications and our website. JSS are part of the Reward Team in UK Research & Innovation's (UKRI) HR function. We're a friendly close-knit team of 16, where everyone can feel supported and encouraged to share ideas and work to the best of their ability. We value respect and integrity and offer a flexible and empathetic work environment.
The role is mostly office based, at the UKRI office in Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon (behind Swindon New College-North Star Campus). There may be the opportunity for hybrid working once you are fully competent in the role, while learning you will need to be in the office for 100% of the time.
The RCPS
The RCPS is a multi-employer unfunded defined benefit public sector pension scheme. There are 16 employers participating in the scheme who account for approximately 6,000 active members. There are also 15,000 pensioners and 11,000 preserved members, in total a customer base of 32,000 members. More information about JSS and the Scheme can be found at http://jsspensions.nerc.ac.uk/ .
Job Description
This role is in the Pensioner Services section of the team. This is a small team of five people that collectively manage the pensions for around 26,000 pensioners and deferred members (those that are yet to retire); four administrators and their Delivery Manager. Although the role is solely focused on pension it is varied due to the numerous pension schemes we manage and types of pension being paid. There are a wide range of activities and you will need to be able to manage these independantly ensuring all activities are completed accurately and on time. Plenty of support, guidance and help will be available and provided.
Here is a summary of the activities you will be responsible for:
• Implementing pension and retirement awards and associated pension benefit (lump sum) payments, including payment of spouses/partners pensions and death benefit payments
• Dealing with the cessation of pensions, for example through the death of a scheme member/pensioner which involves liaising with family members, dependants, beneficiaries, solicitors and other representatives
• Dealing with a wide variety of pension queries from scheme members and relatives, communicating by phone, letter and email
• Calculating pension values and preparing calculations and payments for authorisation and approval by your manager
• Inputting data to and updating/maintaining the JSS pension databases as well as using various other IT systems (Oracle) and Microsoft products, i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel etc.
• Manage and process transfers out of the scheme; calculating transfer values and payments to other pension schemes/providers
• Implementing Pension Sharing Orders
• Liaise with other third parties, e.g. payroll providers, HR teams, the Scheme Medical Adviser, other pension providers
• Run reports using the system and actioning processes and procedures within the set service levels
• Processing the incoming and outoing post, archiving pension records and other administrative duties
• You will also assist your colleagues with their workloads as well as picking up certain activities whilst they are out of the office on leave etc.
These are in addition to other activities your manager or the management team may ask you to do, as required.
Person Specification Essential skills or experience
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy (S&I)
• Good level of numeracy (S&I)
• Excellent prioritising and self-organisation skills with ability to plan ahead and manage time effectively and efficiently (S&I)
• Good written and verbal communication skills (S&I)
• Previous experience of working in pension administration role or similar administration role
• Ability to work on your own and as part of a small team (S&I)
• Good standard of education (minimum of 5 GCSE or equivalent qualification, including GCSE at Grade C in Maths and English) (S)
• Experience of Microsoft office products (Outlook, Word, Excel) (S)
Desirable skills or experience
• Ability to self motivate (I)
• Ability to follow detailed instructions (I)
• Experience of working with complex policies (I)
• Experience of working in a customer service environment (S&I)
About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org .
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ' How we support EDI in the workforce '.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Additional Information
* Organisation: UKRI - Talent, Careers and Reward Centre of Expertise
* Contract Type: Open Ended
* External Closing Date: Feb 4, 2025
* Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 29,923
* Hours: Full-time