Candidate Data Appearing in the Ballot

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I will be there to protect your pay and pension!
Now more than ever, staff globally are facing very delicate challenging situations, where the impact of uncertainty on staff and their families in relation to salaries and pensions is high. Colleagues have been very concerned about the alleged fraud and irregularities claims regarding the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund circulating in the media in 2015 and even before, since 2015.

I believe the UN’s internal administrative controls and procedures, to which the pension fund is currently subject, provide a stricter operating environment and a stronger framework. These can always further benefit from the engagement of dedicated staff like myself. .

Good leadership, with a clear vision, and divided roles, in addition to applying fair judgement in an interactive way works best to protect the staff compensation package.

NO CUTS, NO DELAYS IN PAYMENTS, CLEAR AND QUICK SOLUTIONS are the most needed actions. Therefore, I will call for:
- Clarity in one’s entitlements and options;
- Direct contact with a pension representative;
- NO delays in payments;
- Use social media and all ways to provide staff with update information;
- Review compensation packages, and;
- NO MORE CUTS

Following implementation closely and acting in a timely manner will be my priority

Why me?
Because I have been working in the UN system for more than 14 years, I have represented staff at the regional and global levels through the staff association. I am fully aware of all issues that staff face, and I am able to transmit their messages clearly. I represented staff in emergency and non-emergency duty stations and I am fully aware of the challenges and most importantly I am a staff who cares very much about our pensions - the only income to rely on when we get older, and/or face life’s surprises.

Vote for me and I will work for you

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Dear Colleagues,

I seek your support and vote in this important election, as I believe that I am well qualified to serve as your Representative on the United Nations Staff Pension Committee. I have a strong, relevant academic background, which is supplemented by the wealth of experience that I have garnered over the past 30-plus years of service as a Staff Member of the United Nations. As an advocate for the rights of staff, I believe that my election as a Representative on the Staff Pension Committee would provide me with yet another opportunity to contribute my vast knowledge and experience to advancing the well-being of staff throughout the United Nations.

I have a Ph.D in Organization and Management, which has exposed me to training in the psychological and social challenges of career management, and I am thus sensitive and empathetic to the needs of employees, particularly as they prepare for retirement. Moreover, my training allows me to strategically evaluate the performance of the Pension Fund with a view to ensuring that the participants derive optimal benefit after a lifetime of investment. Also, I have served the United Nations as a staff member of ECLAC for more than 30 years, and since 1990, I have continuously served as a member of the Local Salary Survey Committee within my duty station. In that role, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that the best results of the salary survey process are achieved, particularly in the light of the challenges that the Pension Fund has experienced over the years. Further, as a strong advocate for the rights of staff, I have had the privilege of being elected to represent staff in various capacities, including Chairperson of the Staff Association on multiple occasions, Treasurer, Staff Welfare Chairperson, and Polling Committee Chair. In those roles, I have executed my responsibilities with the specific focus of protecting and advancing the well-being of staff, through justice and the fair application of the rules and regulations of the Organization.

To that end, if I am elected to serve, my priority will be to advocate for the preservation of the rights of the participants, particularly in terms of pension entitlements, to ensure that the post-employment social safety net of our staff is maintained at an acceptable level. Also, I would seek to ensure that investments are well-managed. As well, I would advocate for improving the quality of the services that the Fund provides to our participants, especially our retirees, who have faithfully contributed so much of their lives in service of the people of all nations.

Thank you and kind regards to all.

Dale Alexander (dale.alexander@eclac.org)

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Chers/Chères collègues,

Je sollicite votre soutien et votre vote pour ma candidature en tant que représentant au Comité des pensions du personnel de l'Organisation des Nations Unies. J’ai une solide formation académique à laquelle s’ajoute une expérience professionnelle de plus de 30 ans comme membre du personnel des Nations Unies. Si je suis élu, vous me donnerez une autre opportunité d’apporter ma connaissance et expérience pour améliorer le bien-être du personnel.

J'ai un doctorat en organisation et management, qui m'a amené à suivre une formation liée aux défis psychologiques et sociaux de la gestion de carrière. Par conséquent, je suis sensible et empathique aux besoins des employés, surtout pendant qu'ils se préparent à la retraite. Ma formation me permet d'évaluer stratégiquement la performance de la caisse de retraite en vue de faire en sorte que les participants en tirent un bénéfice optimal après toute une vie d'investissement. En outre, j'ai servi aux Nations Unies comme membre du personnel de la Commission Economique pour l’Amérique latine et les Caraïbes depuis plus de 30 ans et, depuis 1990, je suis membre du comité d'enquête sur les salaires locaux dans mon lieu d'affectation. Dans ce rôle, j'ai travaillé sans relâche pour que les meilleurs résultats du processus d'enquête sur les salaires soient atteints, compte tenu notamment des défis que la caisse de retraite a connus au fil des années. En tant que défenseur des droits du personnel, j'ai eu le privilège d'être élu pour représenter le personnel à différents titres comme Président de l'Association du personnel à plusieurs reprises, trésorier, Président du comité d’aide sociale et Président du bureau de vote. Dans le cadre de ces rôles, j'ai assumé mes responsabilités dans le but précis de protéger et d'améliorer le bien-être du personnel, tout en respectant les règles et règlements de l'Organisation.

À cette fin, si je suis élu pour vous représenter, ma priorité sera de défendre la préservation des droits des participants, surtout en ce qui concerne les droits à pension, afin de veiller à ce que la protection sociale de notre personnel après l'emploi soit maintenue à un niveau acceptable. Aussi, je voudrais veiller à ce que les investissements soient bien gérés et je préconiserais l’amélioration de la qualité des services offerts par le Fonds à nos participants, en particulier à nos retraités, qui ont fidèlement contribué une grande partie de leur vie au service des peuples de toutes les nations.

Je vous remercie.

Sincères salutations

Dale Alexander (dale.alexander@eclac.org)

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Estimados colegas,

Me gustaría pedir su apoyo y voto en esta importante elección, ya que creo que estoy bien calificado para servir como su Representante en el Comité de Pensiones del Personal de las Naciones Unidas. Tengo un antecedente fuerte y pertinente, que lo complementa la abundante experiencia que he obtenido durante los últimos 30 años de servicio como miembro del personal de las Naciones Unidas. Como defensor de los derechos del personal, creo que mi elección como Representante en el Comité de Pensiones del Personal me brindaría la oportunidad para aportar mi vasto conocimiento y experiencia para promover el bienestar del personal en todas las Naciones Unidas.

Tengo un doctorado en Organización y Gestión, que me ha expuesto a la formación en los desafíos psicológicos y sociales de la gestión de la carrera, y por lo tanto tengo sensibilidad y empatia a las necesidades de los empleados, sobre todo en la preparación para la jubilación. Mi formación me permite evaluar estratégicamente el rendimiento del Fondo de Pensiones con el fin de asegurar que los participantes obtengan un beneficio óptimo después de toda una vida de inversión. He servido a las Naciones Unidas como miembro del personal de la CEPAL durante más de 30 años y, desde 1990, he servido continuamente como miembro del Comité Local de Inspección de Salarios en mi lugar de trabajo. En este sentido, he trabajado incansablemente para asegurar que se alcancen los mejores resultados del proceso de la encuesta salarial, especialmente a la luz de los desafíos que el Fondo de Pensiones ha experimentado a lo largo de los años. Además, como un fuerte defensor de los derechos del personal, he tenido el privilegio de ser elegido para representar al personal en varias capacidades, incluyendo Presidente de la Asociación del Personal en múltiples ocasiones, Tesorero, Presidente del Personal y Presidente del Comité de Voto. En esas funciones, he cumplido con mis responsabilidades y el objetivo específico de proteger y promover el bienestar del personal, a través de la justicia y la aplicación justa de las normas y reglamentos de la Organización.

Por lo tanto, si se me elige para servir, mi prioridad será defender la preservación de los derechos de los participantes, en particular en lo que se refiere a los derechos de la pensión, para asegurar que la red de seguridad social posterior al empleo de nuestro personal se mantenga en un nivel aceptable. De igual manera, procuraré garantizar que las inversiones estén bien administradas. Además, abogaría por mejorar la calidad de los servicios que el Fondo proporciona a nuestros participantes, en especial a nuestros jubilados, quienes han contribuido fielmente sus vidas al servicio del pueblo de todas las naciones.

Agradeciéndole de antemano su atención a mi solicitud.

Saludos cordiales,

Dale Alexander (dale.alexander@eclac.org)

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Assigned in MINUSMA, Bamako, Mali, since September 2013 as Legal officer P4, I am married and mother one boy. I worked in various duty stations, hardship such as Guinea-Bissau with UNIOGBIS or Ivory Coast with UNOCI, South Sudan or Burundi, with UNDP or peaceful like Italy, UNLB, or Mozambique(UNDP) , among other duty stations. I also wore the hats of staff Representative on The MINUSMA Field Staff Union, and legal advisor for the Executive Field staff union since few years.
I studied Law in France, Panthéon-Sorbonne Paris, and Aix –Marseille III, and have a legal academic background. Added to my professional experience, in particular with UNDP and the UN secretariat/DPKO/DFS environment, and staff representative membership, this provides me with sound knowledge of legal issues and great understanding of the United Nations.
Besides being a legal officer, I have previously been focal point for gender and for positive work environment. My understanding of English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, added to my client orientation ability provide me with strong analytic and negotiation skills, which are valuable assets and tools to be a good professional and do my utmost in favor of the workforce.

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Statement/biographical info
I have over 18 year’s professional experience, with 12 years serving with the United Nations at Headquarters and in a number of field locations. Prior to this, between 1998 and 2002, I served as a representative of the regional government of Ticino at the Pension Board of the public pension fund in Switzerland. During my five years tenure as member of the Board, I actively participated in decision-making that ensured the fund could meet its obligations by adopting long-term investment objectives, a culture of attention of investment costs, while also maintaining its public, state-owned, character.
If nominated as United Nations Staff Pension Committee member, I will strive to ensure that the UNJSPF ameliorates its services with prospective retirees and beneficiaries by relying on state-of-the-art technology, and by adopting a culture of best practice to strengthen its governance and services that will beneficially serve all its members.
My specific professional experience has given me a broad understanding of how to analyze complex matters and identify solutions suitable for the needs of the Organization and the staff.

Education
Copenhagen Business School, Master in Business Administration (2006)
L. Bocconi University, Milan, Degree in Public Administration and International Organizations Management (2001)

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Charles Chauvel leads the Inclusive Political Processes team in the United Nations Development Programme’s New York Headquarters. His team supports UNDP programming on civic engagement, constitution-making, elections, parliaments, & women’s political participation.

Before UNDP, he served for 7 years as a member of the Parliament of New Zealand. He was shadow Attorney-General & shadow Minister for the Justice sector. He specialized in oversight, chairing the Parliament’s public accounts, scrutiny of regulations, and privileges committees & was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Attorney-General. Before holding the shadow justice sector ministries, he was shadow minister for environment, energy & climate matters & shadow minister for arts, culture, and heritage. The first person of pacific island ancestry to have served on the front bench of any NZ political party, he founded the NZ Chapter of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption & chaired the NZ/European Union Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Before Parliament, Mr. Chauvel clerked for the Chief Justice of NZ; worked as a union legal officer; was crown counsel in the NZ Crown Law Office & was a partner in an international law firm, heading the firm’s labor law and employee benefits practice. He has been an NZ Public Health Commissioner; chair of the NZ AIDS Foundation; deputy presiding member of the NZ Lotteries Commission (& a member of the organization’s pension fund board); deputy chair of Meridian Energy Ltd; a board member of the Pacific Friends of the Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria & a UN Global Commissioner on HIV & the Law. He is a life member of both the NZ AIDS Foundation & the NZ Labor Party

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My experience as Staff Representative of the Fund since 2005 and UNJSPF staff member for over 18 years will no doubt be beneficial to you given I possess the requisite expertise to grasp from day one, the tremendous amount of complex information and reports from the various technical committees on actuarial concepts, benefit provisions, and retirement schemes needed to perform effectively the mandate for which you elected them, to look at your best interest and ensure that the long term viability of your Fund is achieved.
My financial and investment related background will ensure that the investment of our Fund continue to be based on safety, profitability, liquidity, convertibility, greener market placement and socially responsible policy that the United Nations advocates around the world. The Risk appetite of the Fund should continue to be monitored by a more rigorous system of check and balance, an agile investment policy that will not hinder the required flexibilities and adaptability needed to manage our Fund and outperform the relevant benchmarks and actuarial objectives.
My understanding of the challenges the Fund is facing and the resources required to meet those challenges along with the necessity to make the Fund managers accountable of their performances will be key in making sure that the fiduciary responsibility entrusted to Participant Representative to the Board is fully and effectively put into play for a more transparent and effective management of your Pension Fund. I thank you for your vote and look forward to serving you as your next Participant Representative to the Pension Board.

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This fall, I will celebrate 25 years working with and around the United Nations. Over the years, in my various roles, I have helped staff members to understand the structure of the Pension Fund. Explaining ‘accumulation rates’, ‘partial withdrawals’ and the role of the ‘pensionable remuneration’. I have seen first had, the challenges faced by staff members who learned too late, how the Fund works and how this would affect their retirement. I now feel I’m ready to be an advocate for all staff. Promoting the equitable and timely execution of Pension Fund benefits.

Since September 2016, I have worked as the Administrative Associate supporting the Regional Private Sector Partnerships (PSP) Officer covering the Americas. I provide back-end operations support to offices in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States and also serves as a liaison between the region and PSP headquarters in Copenhagen. From April 2014 to August 2016, I served as a Programme Associate for the Regional Office in Washington.

From 2000 to 2014, I was with the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Washington, D.C office, supporting economic development activities in the region. From 1997 to 1998, I served as the National Coordinator for Education and Model UN programs, for the UN Association of the USA. From 1995-1996, I worked for the UN Information Centre in Washington, DC. From 1992-1995, I served first as an intern, then consultant with the ECLAC Washington Office.

I graduated from George Mason University with a degree in international affairs. Also receiving a Certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University.

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I have over 11 years of experience with UN Common System as a staff member with UNICEF India. For many years, I have served in Executive Committee of UNICEF India Staff Association (UISA) at various positions. My active involvement with UISA has given me the extensive understanding of the United Nations Common System, UN Joint Staff Pension Fund and related challenges to participant and beneficiaries.

I believe, in this difficult time we fight to protect the safety of our investments in pension fund which for many years is not producing the desired results and there are unprecedented delays in beneficiaries’ payments. These issues concerned all of us and as a Committee Member, I promise to play a pivotal role in raising these concerns to the appropriate level in protecting our interest.

I hold a Master’s degree in Telecom Technology and Business Administration (MBA). I have extensive experience in internal audit, negotiation skills, leadership, communication, and risk management. Apart from industry certification in Information Technology, I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) from Project Management Institute, Pennsylvania, USA.

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I believe that I have the necessary qualification, experience, leadership, communication skills and knowledge that can positively help the staff’s pension issues globally.

After 9 years of dedicated service to field operation, I want us to work together to achieve our unified common goals despite diverse cultures and languages.

With the benefit of social media, Intranet/Internet and technology to bring us together, we can strive for better working conditions, better staff pension fund and better co-ordination to help the people we serve with dedication, our Refugees.

Our fight is one of freedom, justice and respect. Let your voice be heard, let your vote count.

Election platform/Commitment:

 Influential staff rights;
 Informing staff of adverse consequences resulting in hardship for staff;
 Advocacy for Digitalization of the whole pension process.
 Solicit and prioritize needs and policy priorities as identified by staffs members
 As a youthful Person, I will advocate for accessibility and capacity building on pension fund issues to all staffs globally for better preparedness.


I am passionate about my dedication to serve all staff worldwide.

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Al Fasher, 22 February, 2008 - Mr. Abdulai Sahid Jalloh arrived in Al-Fasher on 22nd February 2008, to assume the functions of OIC Field Fuel unit of UNAMID, the African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur.

Before joining UNAMID, Abdulai Jalloh, a Sierra Leonean National, was Logistics operations officer in MONUC, the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was previously Logistics security operations manager, in Chad, with CCF (Christian children fund). He also served in Bujumbura as logistics operations officer with ONUB, where he created the logistics operations division and supported the Burundian Elections in rendering vital services to the MILOBS & IPOs l of ONUB, the UN Mission in Burundi.

Abdulai Jalloh started his UN career in 2005, first in Bujumbura, Burundi, as Logistics Operations officer with ONUB, the United Nations Mission in Burundi then as Desk Logistics operations officer in Kinshasa, DR Congo with MONUC till December, 2007.He has also held the position of Logistics security Operations Manager with CCF-Chad (Christian children's Fund-USA) and served as Logistics officer for Action Aid- Sierra Leone from 1998-2005 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

At the beginning of his professional life, Abdulai Jalloh was a free-lance photographer and a professional teacher in various high schools in Sierra Leone. While serving as a school teacher, he joined the International Organization of good Templars in Sierra Leone with a close working relationship with Norway and FORUT. He went on to work with Action Aid Sierra Leone in the cross border operations in Guinea as an Admin Assistant to the country program with major responsibilities of liaison, translations from English to French and vice versa and developed a special skill of doing logistics operations as well in the Action Aid and Aide et action joint operations venture in 1997 to early 1998.

Holding University Qualifications in Peace keeping and Conflict Resolution from the Chulalonghorn University in Bangkok, Thailand( Conflict Analyst) member of the chartered institute of purchasing and Supply in Lincs, United kingdom. A diploma in Tourism and social Studies from Cenforth, university of Guinea in French. He is a trained practitioner in UMOJA ( Dealing with petty cash and impress funds)

Qualifications in both Introduction to Financial Accounting and Logistics operations from IPAM, University of Sierra Leone and a diploma from the TMS(Trading maintenance services in Manchester- United kingdom. Two certificates from Thailand in the forum of South East Asian Confict Resolution. Fluent in both French and English. Wrote his thesis while in the Chulalonghorn University in Southern Thailand especially in Patani, Yala and Nyaratiwat the red hot conflict zone of Thanils with a trip to Chanmyai in the north of Thailand close to the Burmese border. Very much conversant with the Thaibaye incident in Southern Thailand conflict Zone.

Married to Haja Saran Jalloh with related children and currently residing in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.He is father of children and a force to reckon with, very pious and ready to adopt innovations, working with objectivity, honesty, goal driven practitioner and works even on extended hours with resilience and focus.

He has so far done presentations in Interpersonal conflict resolution in Rotary, zone 27-28 in the Quad cities in Iowa in September, 2007 and quite recently one presentation at the Lutheran trinity school in Jefferson city, Missouri. Prior to this a presentation of the like was done for the senior management of the UN peace keeping Mission in the DR Congo in October, 2007.

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My name is Mohammad Rafi and my last name is Jorazada, father of 4 children while still young and motivated to volunteer for challenges. I currently work as Senior Supply Assistant with UNHCR in Afghanistan and have been in the organization for more than 15 years. I have a very sound understanding of field realities and experiments which mostly affect frontline staff.
Apart from my official duties, I also dedicated quite a number of years doing volunteer work. For instance, I functioned as member of local staff council for 4 years and have been an active member of Respectful Workplace Advisor (RWA) since 2011 and Peer Support Personnel (PSP) since 2010).
I am an easy going, relaxed and peaceful person. Moreover, interested in diversity, love to travel, make new friends and always easy to fit in team works, different cultural and geographical contexts.
As per my mentioned background and personal enthusiasm; I opted to nominate myself as candidate for upcoming election as staff representative to the UN Staff Pension Committee of the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund. Using my experiences as best tools and I believe that I am a suitable candidate to be part of this committee from UNHCR family. Moreover, I would like to express my strong commitment to uphold the interests of all UN staff on matters related to pension entitlements in UN Staff Pension Committee of the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.

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Katy Joseph-Solozano is a Senior Security Officer with the Department of Security and Safety and have been the Organization since 2002. She was also a Staff representative within the Department of Security and Safety.

Officer Joseph-Solozano holds a Bachelors of Science in Management from the University of the West Indies and among other job specific certifications, has participated in the International Civil Service Commission Workshop on General Service Salary Survey, Methodology I and is accredited in Industrial Relations in the United Nations System.

As a Staff Representative, Officer Joseph-Solozano has gained valuable experience in the bureaucracy of the United Nations systems and is fully cognizant of the issues plagued by the Pension Fund and its members. After dedicated Service to the United Nations, she believes that contributing members should have immediate access to their retirement income and If elected a member of the Board, she will be dedicated and honored to ensuring that the Pension Fund is administrated prudently to maintain the sustainability of the Fund. This goal can only be accomplished through transparency, accountability and forthright discussions.

Therefore, in summary Officer Joseph-Solozano believes that it is imperative that the Pension Fund continues to provide a livable retirement income security for its members, that members have immediate access to their retirement income and that a system of accountability is well defined, and if elected will work tirelessly to ensure that all systems are implemented to achieve this goal.

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I have been working with United Nations for the past 15 years with WFP as Emergency officer and Head of Sub Office in Zambia 2002-2007, and with UNOCHA from 2007 to date at different levels. HAO/Head of Sub office in South Sudan, Head of office (Humanitarian Advisory team) in Papua New Guinea and currently as Head of Sub Office in Jonglei state in South Sudan. I am currently member of UNOCHA rebuttal panel. Before joining UN, I was working with Prime Minister’s, Office in My country, Tanzania, and at the same time served as staff representative in the staff council in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Through my experience of working with Government, NGOs and UN Agencies for more than 20 years, I have acquired a good understanding of staff issues and especially staff benefits, pension issues inclusive. From time to time, have come across some staff who have some concerns about their pension benefits, and most of them want to get more information about the pension fund and how their pensions are managed. Some of them have very good ideas which can contribute to improve the pensions fund.

I have offered myself to present staff to the Staff Pension Committee of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund to air staff views and ideas on how to improve pension fund so that can continue to serve staff better. Please join me to work together to support our pensions fund.

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I joined UNDP four years ago, in large part to become part of an international organization that is making a real difference to millions of people. The core values of the United Nations continue to resonate with me and inspire me to want to do better every day.

As the UNDP Travel Manager I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with colleagues across the globe and the UN system. I strive to ensure value for money for our travel expenditure while balancing staff well-being. Previously I was with a global corporate services provider, Hogg Robinson Group, leading a team of account managers, and was involved in the mentorship program and service recognition committee. My past experience in the private sector afforded me with the opportunity to be a part of decision-making groups where we evaluated complex issues with objectivity and fairness.


As I mother I have learned to appreciate that each child and each voice in life is unique, and that a system needs to be exceptionally strong to accommodate everyone. People who know me know I am a firm believer in hard work, responsibility, and fairness, and that fairness is not only attributable to the system but also to the individual and to his/her own unique situation. I am an advocate of helping those that are not able to help themselves, and have been active in volunteer work for the poor and at animal shelters. If elected I commit to never losing sight of the human aspect of our work.


I welcome the opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to contribute to the Pension Committee and I am confident I can make a positive impact. I would be grateful for your support.

Jill Kellow

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Safeguarding future retirement benefits for participants and ensuring uncompromised and timely payments to retirees will
be my main drivers as your representative. I will work diligently to assure that you are informed and consulted when the
safety of your Pension Fund and your hard earned benefits are at stake. I have been employed with the Pension Fund for
more than 8 years; as such I have a deep understanding of its regulations, obligations and governance. I have been
employed with the United Nations at different capacities and locations for more than 24 years; as such I have a deep
understanding of the United Nations system. My experience will help you to protect our Pension Fund.

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My name is Livia Krings and I am a national of Moldova. I have worked in a range of different capacities during my professional carrier and, since 2007, I have been employed with the United Nations Secretariat. I am currently a staff member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna in the secretariat to the Vienna-based Commission on Narcotic Drugs and Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. I hold postgraduate degrees from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, and an undergraduate degree from the State University of Bucharest. I am married with three children.

I am strongly committed to contributing to the good functioning of the UN Staff Pension Committee, as well as to representing the interests of all staff, also in view of concerns regarding the future, long-term sustainability and stability of our Joint Staff Pension Fund.

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I am honoured to seek your support for a UN staff representative position to the United Nations Staff Pension Committee
(UNSPC).
The UN pensions are the only social security pillar for a vast majority of the staff. The representatives are a key
constituent of the UNJSPF tripartite governance mechanism and play a critical role in securing the safety, profitability,
liquidity and convertibility of our assets. It is, therefore, essential that the Pension Fund is administrated professionally
to protect the interests of the current participants and retirees.
I offer my candidacy highlighting my experience and noteworthy exposure to the Pension Fund governance processes.
Over the years, I have competently served staff interests as a member of the working group on the Plan Design, a
member of the UNJSPF Audit Committee and a member of the Working Group on Sustainability. The knowledge and the
skills acquired through such associations have allowed me to speak and engage the key stakeholders with confidence
and authority. These skills will serve us well as the participants face an increasingly maturing Fund and external
pressures for the pension remuneration review.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, an MBA in Finance, an MS degree in accounting and a professional diploma
in Public Sector Accounting. This academic background has helped me contribute significantly to the technical
discussions in various forums; engage with the specialists to seek pragmatic, sustainable and favorable solutions for
the participants and retirees; protect our financial interests; offer insight on investment and audit matters and help
improve business and functional processes.
The staff have a choice of voting for a number of capable and committed colleagues. I wish them all well and I also trust
you will recognize that your vote is for a technical representational position. I urge you to emphasize relevant
background, skills and subject matter knowledge when making a choice. Regardless of the choices you intend to make,
I sincerely urge that you take the time to cast your vote and make your voice heard.
Thank you for your support.

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I was born at Panzi on 07th July, 1958 and married with 06 children, a native of the democratic republic of Congo;

I have a diploma of two years of professional post-secondary studies in Computers Science and a huge experience obtained through a variety of training workshops in staff management with United Nations.

I am working for more than sixteen years (since June-2000) with the UN Peacekeeping Mission (MONUC-MONUSCO);
I am currently National Associate Supply Officer with MONUC-MONUSCO since May 2007.

I am ready to work as responsible for communicating and servicing the needs of UNJSPF participants from the UN, its field missions as well as UN Funds and Programmes.

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The information I received attracted my attention because I believe that I have the “proven skills” you are looking for in a staff representatives to the UN Staff Pension Committee of the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.

I am recently working as Finance Officer in Branch/Center Office in Amman, Jordan after moving from Islamabad, Pakistan, where I served as Admin/Finance Officer.
Previously, I had opportunity to work as Associate Admin. /Finance Officer in the UNHCR Office Zahle, Lebanon serving on ERT Mission for three months (April 02 –July 01, 2013). Among many other duties, I was responsible for administering, coordinating, and supervising the office activities. During my 5 years of Payroll experience, I was one of the responsible supervisors who had to monitor and manage the Pension Fund’s contributions reconciliation. Our team responsibility grew from about 6,000 to 9,500 colleagues’ pension deduction, which had to be checked and reported. At UNHCR, we always managed to submit the requested reports on time.

I graduated with an MBA in Finance from the Central European University in Budapest, in 2008. I also have a BA in Accountancy from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

I have more than 15 years’ experience in the field of Finance/Accounting and IPSAS/GAAP. I have gained a lot of experience in areas where organizational, analytical skills and excellent communications are essentially required.

Working at KPMG and Tax Account Pros, I gained experience in public audit and preparation of financial statement, bookkeeping, and office management respectively.

I have always been motivated by challenge and have continuously been trying to find new ways and possible solutions.

I can confidently say that my professional skills and experience make me suitable for the position.

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I am a candidate in the upcoming election of staff representatives to serve on the UN Staff Pension Committee and on the Board of the UNJSPF. You elected me to represent you on the Pension Board in December 2012 and the members of the UN Staff Pension Committee elected me Committee Chair in 2015. In January 2015, I joined the Audit Committee for a 4-year mandate.

As you know, our Pension Fund has gone through a period of turbulence, during which it has been required that I show determination in representing you. During this difficult time, the implementation of the Fund's new administrative system IPAS resulted in some disruption and, in particular, in backlogs and delays in providing payments to newly retired staff members. My commitment to transparency - to bringing issues to the forefront and addressing them - is, I believe, known to you.

To deliver on my 2012 promise to work toward the extension of the survivor's benefits to all spouses recognized by the participating entities, I represented you in a "Contact Group", comprising two members from each of the three Board groups (Governing Bodies/Member States; Executive Heads/Management; Staff representatives), and from FAFICS (retirees). Through cooperative effort, the Contact Group reached a consensus and, in July 2016, the Fund's Board adopted an approach aligned to the policy of the Secretary-General, which is to recognize unions with reference to the law of the authority under which the personal status has been established. This was a significant breakthrough now benefitting us all.

My understanding of the Fund has developed considerably over the last four years. But it also stems from being a staff member for 25 years, and from the experience gained in the various positions I have held: as chief of the UN Payroll Section (2004-2006), and of the Insurance and Disbursement Service (2010-Feb 2017), managing health insurance for UN staff and retirees worldwide and for the New York-based funds and programmes. I have become familiar with the needs of retirees and have gained insight into the many challenges they face.

Having worked regularly with actuaries, I am conversant with the actuarial concepts underlying the many proposals brought before the Board. I am fully conscious of the all-important priority of ensuring the long-term viability of our Pension Fund through a solid UN system-led investment strategy. I also believe the Fund needs to further expand on-line services to ease the administrative burden on participants, on retirees and on the Secretariat staff.

The Pension Fund is a unique institution. If you elect me, I shall continue to work tirelessly and collaboratively with the other elected representatives on the Pension Board toward the Fund's long-term sustainability. You can count on me. I am available to answer your questions. Thank you.

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I have over twenty years with UNHCR working in highly complex situations mostly in the MENA region and mostly protection focused. My time with UNHCR includes assignments in more than 9 countries. Currently I am the Deputy Representative for UNHCR in Iraq. I believe that my record with UNHCR demonstrates my effectiveness as a manager. In submitting my application for consideration as Staff Representative of the United Nations to the Staff Pension Committee of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund I would extend my professional and personal experiences to all UN colleagues to ensure that the UNJSPF remains feasible and effective in serving our needs. I appreciate the importance of establishing good and effective working relations with the others to reach desired objectives and benefits. I believe I can bring a common a sense approach to the Committee and I promise that I will serve with dependability and integrity. Thank you for your consideration.

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My name is Aissatou Ndiaye-Dieng and I currently hold the position of Deputy Representative for the UNHCR office in Cote D’Ivoire (West Africa) since August 2015, where I manage and coordinate the operational aspects of the refugee, returnee and statelessness programmes. I have worked with UNHCR for the past twenty three years in various leadership capacities at its Headquarters in Geneva and several field operations in Africa. I am a Senegalese national. I hold a Master degree in Economics from the University of Grenoble (France) and earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Executive Management from Maastricht School of Management and East & Southern African Management Institute (Tanzania).

STATEMENT:
As a fiduciary person my main goal will be to ensure that the pension Fund delivers on its “raison d’etre” which is to provide timely benefits to staff upon separation from service. Also, after many years of hard work, dedication and countless risks taken and personal sacrifice, participants must be able to count on the vital income a pension provides.
I will ensure that investments continue to be made in keeping with the principles of safety, profitability, liquidity and convertibility, and monitor the portfolio to ensure avoidance of investing in weaponry, fossil fuels and any other investments which do not line up with the UN principles.
In this uncertain climate for staff separating from the organization regularly, I will recommend that a part of the organization’s share of pension contributions paid to the Fund be returned to staff upon their separation.
I will initiate the discussion to propose voluntary contributions under conditions that are beneficial to the retiree, but not detrimental to the Fund.
Finally, as a member of the UNSPC, I will ensure that the Pension Fund Secretariat keeps up with its obligations as local secretariat for all UN family participants and ensures better service for families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice for the organization.

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I pledge to have an open system of members’ representation and intend to push for favorable decisions for members’ benefit. My approach will be based on effective information dissemination to give the members an opportunity to make informed decisions regarding the future of the pension scheme. I plan to collect members’ views with a view to lobby for processes that lead to efficient utilization of resources. I endeavor to safeguard the Pension Fund, and ensure proper financial management, growth and sustainability.

I am a Certified Accountant currently working in Human Resources Department of United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). I have worked in finance, accounting and human resources management fields for the past 14 years. I have strong financial skills with hands-on experience on pension matters acquired on the basis of being the Pension Fund focal point for UN Secretariat in Nairobi. I understand well the United Nations rules and regulations as well as those of United Nation Joint Pension Fund.

I am hardworking, results oriented and have good communication skills. I regularly keep abreast of technological developments to equip myself with efficient decision making processes. I have good organizational skill.

I humbly ask for your vote in the forthcoming elections and commit to serve our pension fund with honesty, integrity and diligence.

Thank you!

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I joined the UN Office in Geneva in 1998 and am currently working as the Head of Payroll at UNHCR. As a member of several UN bodies in my professional capacity (such as the Advisory Committee on Post Adjustment Questions (ACPAQ), Local Survey Committee for Post Adjustment, Salaries, DSA and Rent) I am closely involved in a number of inter organizational projects where I actively contribute as well as represent staff members’ needs
Due to the nature of my position at Payroll, and as the focal point in UNHCR on all Pension Fund related matters, I serve as a liaison between UNHCR and UN Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF). Over the past decade, I have gained extensive experience and insight into the pension-related issues and questions that employees may encounter throughout their service. I also have a close working relationship with UNJSPF and together we have successfully managed to implement a robust system (after their technical upgrade) to minimise delays in processing pension payments.
I have successfully launched the pre-retirement seminars for UNHCR field offices and since 2011 we have conducted 18 such seminars across the globe in English and French. These pre-retirement seminars have proved to be invaluable help for participants in having a smooth transition into retirement.
I cherish your trust and I believe I would be in a unique position to represent you and share your concerns with the UNJSPF by being a UN Staff Pension Committee (UNSPC) member. Being a keen advocate of advances in technology, I would encourage technical upgrades to enable UNJSPF to enhance their work and also to speed up the pension payment process. Last but not least, I will actively seek to improve the plan design of the Pension Fund by advocating for measures such as allowing full contributions even when working part-time and providing advances systematically to beneficiaries if their pension payments are delayed through no fault of their own.
It will be an honour to serve you on UNSPC.

Arm in arm, stronger together, stronger forever.

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Bernadette Nyiratunga, for Staff representative to UN Staff Pension Committee:
“A passionate professional, personality, with a deep knowledge of staff benefits as staff representative and a manager”

The transition from a Pension Fund participant to a beneficiary is a critical and sensitive stage in a staff member’ life! It should be carefully, efficiently managed with a human touch to ensure staff are effectively accompanied throughout the process prior and post retirement and their needs are serviced in a timely and efficient manner.

In my past experience as Operations Manager in Comoros and Swaziland respectively for over nine years, involving hands-on support to staff members separating from the organisation, I have developed a deep appreciation and passion for effective coordination, support, guidance and counselling of staff and timely resolution of pension matters during that particular period of their lives. On the other hand, I have also been privileged to be a staff association chair in different country offices where I had the opportunity to handle and understand the needs and concerns of participating staff members in relation to pension.

If elected, during my four years tenure, I strongly believe I can contribute to the desired strategic leadership translating organizational directions into effective plans and objectives geared towards improving the services to pension beneficiaries. Specifically, based on extensive experience, I would advocate for:
1) Creating more awareness among staff on the various services of PF and various payment options available without taking it for granted that a staff member understands his/her pension entitlements!
2) Having the right documentation on file before retirement and smooth/expeditious communication between employing agencies and UNJSPF.
3) UNJSPF to embrace technology for efficient service delivery and enhance its representation outside HQ to reach out to retirees in the field
4) Establishment of regional chapters of UN Retirees Association.
5) Enhancing awareness of staff members, close to retirement age, on investment options
6) Special support for staff and their dependents with special needs
7) Pension funds to be invested in most effective manner to yield best returns on investments and to mitigate any potential loss of funds.

Education wise, I hold a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), fluent in French, English and Swahili. Currently I have been working in the UNICEF Kenya Country Office as Administrative Specialist for the past three years, staff representative for the past two years and currently chair of the KCO staff association for the past year. I genuinely look forward to devote my professional and personal efforts in making significant changes that will make the Pension Fund, a better pension fund for staff members at all levels! Thanking you in advance for your support!

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Roselyne Ochumbo-Wandera is currently working in administration, United Nations Secretariat, Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). She previously worked for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for 16 years prior to a reassignment to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in 2006. In all, she has worked for 27 years with the United Nations since April 1990 mostly in administration and human resource management.
Roselyne is a holder of an advanced degree, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She specialized in Human Resources Management.
While working as a Human Resources Assistant, Roselyne was designated as a focal point for pension matters. She processed outstanding pension, death and disability benefits and as a result of her efforts, separated and incapacitated staff, and beneficiaries of deceased staff were paid their dues.
Roselyne is conversant with the UN Staff and Pension Fund’s regulations, administrative rules and procedures. She is client-oriented and has a passion for communicating and servicing needs of clients, therefore, she would perform well as a representative of the Staff Pension Committee.
In her free time, Roselyne is involved in charitable work in her church and community at large.
Roselyne is confident that she would serve well to the best of her ability if nominated as a representative of the Staff Pension Committee.

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My name is Olufemi Majekodunmi Olugbemi, known to most as Femi; Joined the UN System in May 1993 as a United Nations Volunteer and have worked in the sub region of the Caribbean and Africa. I presently serve in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) as an Administrative Officer with the Public Information Office.
As UNMIL FSU Chairperson and Secretary to the Local Contract Committee, safeguarding staff member’s interest is in my DNA and has always been a top priority since joining the United Nations.
My goal as an active Staff representative is to engage the board on systemic issues and to find innovative solutions to UNJSPF challenges on the timely disbursement of the pension benefits.
I have a reputation of “Can do” competence, fair, objective and transparent. I am gender sensitive with a good record of dealing with the concerns of all staff members. I also have a reputation for probity and modesty. As strategic thinker, I have considerable field experience of working in complex situations. I have the maturity, confidence and charisma to convince, persuade and engage in all communications.

The strategy would be to serve with humility as an endearing trait and to leverage my professional experience and advocate for good services. As your representative, I would push for wise investment of the fund and serve you to the best of my ability.

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My name is Oumou Hawa Diallo mother of 2(two), I am currently working as Budget assistant in Resource Planning and Performance Control Unit, Aviation section – MINUSMA, Mali.
I have a Master in Finance and Management Control, 10(Ten) years professional experience in different areas such as Consultancy, and accounting for different company and international organization (UNAIDS, RIO TINTO…). This is an opportunity for me to put my determination, and motivation at the service of the others. I have 4 (four) years of working experience with the United Nations, which are the most important of my career. I am a determined person and capable of managing difficult situations.
Voting for me is to vote for a fighter person, who will defend your interest.
I want to be the person you were looking for.
Trust me we can do it...

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I joined United Nations in 2010 and work as translator in DGACM, New York.

In 2014, I became vice-president for conditions of service in CCISUA, a staff federation of the United Nations system. Since then I have attended Pension Board sessions as observer, gained substantial knowledge about our pension system and took firm stand for the rights of participants.

Our defined benefits plan is a very important and attractive element of our conditions of service, and must remain this way. For decades, our Pension Fund successfully combined advantages of distribution and internally managed conservative investment, and I see my task, if elected, to ensure continuation of this success.

However, in recent years, performance of the Pension Fund raised serious concerns.

First of all, long delays in payment to new beneficiaries are unacceptable. As confirmed by recent OIOS report, thousands of new beneficiaries have been affected. Accountability for timely payment has to be ensured and enforced. Ultimately, pension payments must be disconnected from separation documents produced by the former employer, and start immediately after they become due. The Fund must start to provide real member service, in particular to those most in need: locally hired staff in the field and their families. Pension Fund has to play fully its role of the Pension Committee for all Secretariat entities, including peacekeeping and political missions. Rate of return on investment must be sufficient, and outsourcing of investment management stopped. Finally, Fund’s management must re-establish good relations with its staff.

In order to address these concerns, participants need adequate representatives in the Pension Board. My determination, knowledge and experience make me believe that I can be one of them.

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• Economist on investment issues at UNCTAD
• Treasurer and Vice-Treasurer of La Mutuelle, the Geneva savings and loans mutual, 2013 to present
• President of the Coordinating Committee of International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA), 2014 to present

The Board of the pension fund must represent your interests. Our fund must be kept safe and secure.

As a staff representative I pressured the fund to pay its retirees on time, successfully lobbied the General Assembly to keep the fund in the UN and helped expose misleading data being published by the fund on the UN intranet.

However, the fund’s leaders have yet to be held accountable for their actions, staff continue to be paid later than is acceptable and the returns on the fund’s investments are below target with $3.4 billion recently lost in foreign exchange transactions.

If elected I will:

• oppose moves to remove the fund, its staff and investments from the UN;
• hold the pension fund’s leaders accountable for the suffering caused to retirees through late payments and the fund’s poor financial performance;
• identify bottlenecks in benefits payments so that retirees are paid on the day of retirement;
• make sure the fund is prepared for difficult economic times ahead;
• ensure the Board holds regular townhalls with staff to understand your needs.

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• Economiste chargé des questions d’investissement à la CNUCED
• Trésorier et vice-trésorier de la Mutuelle, (mutuelle qui gère les économies et les prêts à Genève), depuis 2013 jusqu’à présent
• Président du Comité de coordination des associations et syndicats internationaux du personnel des Nations Unies (CCISUA), depuis 2014 et jusqu’à présent.

Le Comité mixte de la Caisse des pensions doit représenter vos intérêts. Notre caisse doit rester saine et sauve.

En tant que représentant du personnel, j’ai mis la pression sur la Caisse afin que les retraités soient payés à temps, j’ai réussi à faire du lobbying au niveau de l’Assemblée générale afin de garder la Caisse au sein des Nations Unies et j’ai contribué à mettre la lumière sur des données trompeuses qui ont été publiées par la Caisse sur l’Intranet de de l’ONU.

Toutefois, les dirigeants de la Caisse doivent être tenus responsables de leurs actes. En effet, le temps d’attente pour le versement des indemnités de pension reste plus long que la normale et le rendement du capital investi reste en dessous du cible, avec 3.4 Milliards de dollars de pertes dûs aux taux de change.

Si je suis élu, je ferai ce qui suit :

• S’opposer aux tentatives de faire sortir la Caisse, son personnel et ses investissements de l’ONU ;
• Faire en sorte que les dirigeants de la Caisse soient tenus responsables des souffrances causées aux retraités du fait du retard de paiement et de la mauvaise performance financière de le Caisse ;
• Identifier les goulots d’étranglement dans le versement des prestations de sorte à ce que les retraités soient payés le jour de leur départ à la retraite ;
• S’assurer que la Caisse soit capable de faire face à l’environnement économique difficile qui l’attend ;
• S’assurer que le Comité mixte tiendra des Réunions générales régulières avec les fonctionnaires afin de comprendre leurs besoins.

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Evelina RIOUKHINA: Repairing broken TRUST!
The serious concerns with our Joint Pension Fund and dramatic situation many of my colleagues experienced last fall, made me feel determined to stand for these elections.
If elected, I would do my utmost to ensure that the Joint Pension Fund will never fall into private hands. Our retirement - your retirement - will stay in the organization, the funds will be are handled in full transparency, with guarantees and security, paid regularly and without delay. I know that many retired people are vulnerable. After having served years in the Organization, which for many of us is our home and our family, it is our primary duty to ensure that every member of it, when retired, feels protected from financial insecurities. We should ensure that everyone, after having had privileged and decent work, has also dignified retired life, with a trust in his or her financial stability, without fear to be left behind or forgotten.
I asked my colleagues at the UNECE, where I have been working for 22 years, to support me for these elections, and so many told me: “We trust you”. For over two decades you many of you demonstrate that trust by reading my work in the UN Special staff magazine which was selected finalist for the SG Award a year ago. I am also known as fair and strong staff defender, and feel so privileged to hear that staff trust me be it in the Coordinating Council, Polling Board, Arbitration Commission, or within the humanitarian Memorial project I initiated and have been dealing for many years.
TRUST – this is the crucial word for the Pension Fund. Today this trust has been broken in the minds of the colleagues. That is exactly why I stand for these elections. It is our Joint Staff Fund. We must trust that our Fund is secure and in the safe hands:
Vote for me – I will make an arduous efforts to repair the broken Trust !

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In an ever changing United Nations, participants of the Pension Fund should rest assured that in the event of separation, disability or death, we and our beneficiaries will be afforded the social security originally envisioned when the United Nations formed the Fund some 70 years ago.

I have been an advisor to CCISUA at the last two Pension Board sessions, having worked in various sections of the Pension Fund for 17 years; I served for 8 years with DFS/FBFD and in the Field and understand the need for an active voice for participants and beneficiaries far away from Headquarters.

We, the participants are investors - shareholders - OWNERS of the Fund, and should be treated accordingly.

Over the past 3 years I have worked with other staff representatives in the UN system, bringing to light serious concerns regarding management of our Pension Fund and its operations.

If you elect me to serve in the capacity of your representative on the UNSPC I will:

1. Be a watchdog to see that that our investments are maximized, upholding the principles of security and safety avoiding unnecessary outsourcing and risk, but securing the Fund’s ability to pay benefits not only for the next 50 years but for decades thereafter.
2. On the operations side of the Fund, guard against costly initiatives and consultancies which do nothing to improve our service,

3. Be a strong advocate for staff separating from UN organizations, so as to ensure that pension payments are received within one month of separation, putting back into place checks and procedures which will ensure that once remedied the crisis of late payments will never recur.
4. Demand improved and proactive service and follow-up by the Pension Fund Secretariat especially in its function as local secretariat for all UN Family participants

5. Work to double the number of UN Family representatives from 1/3 to 2/3 of the 33 member Board, for a stronger voice, in fairness, in proportion to the number of active UN participants, and in line with requests from the General Assembly
6. Call for more frequent UNSPC and Standing Committee meetings which are necessary in order to truly serve the urgent needs of some 86,000 UN family participants, and the interests of our beneficiaries.

7. Ensure continuous review of the Fund’s operations by OIOS, adherence with GA resolutions on the Fund and conformity with UNAT and UNDT opinions and orders.
8. Restore accountability of the Fund Secretariat managers to UN participants and beneficiaries and to the Pension Board.

9. Challenge attempts at regulatory changes which would erode our pension rights.
10. Support and encourage increased transparency of Pension Board activities and documents.
11. By ensuring that common system principles are upheld, work to stop the current trends which would result in comparatively smaller benefits for participants who work for the United Nations, Funds and Programmes.

If elected I will share 17 years of experience and expertise working in the Pension Fund, with fellow elected participant representatives. I hope that sharing my institutional memory and intimate knowledge of procedures of the Fund, will serve to guide representatives now and in the future, to provide stronger advocacy on behalf of UN Family participants and all beneficiaries worldwide.

I respectfully ask for your vote and vow to work tirelessly on your behalf, and will serve you with integrity.

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Garba Safiyanu (MD, MSc, FWACS, FMCOG, FICS)

Seeks your Support to serve as a Staff Representative to the Staff Pension Committee of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund

With extensive management and technical background from both donor and public sector perspectives, as well as his experience within the UN family, Garba Safiyanu will serve all Staff Pension Fund members in helping to keep our pension safe and protected – so that it will work for us when we need it.

Garba will focus on investment options and increased staff participation in the pension management system and will work with colleagues on the Committee to ensure that staff pensions are more flexible. He will bring a fresh perspective to the Committee in order to promote better understanding of our pension management, timely processing of entitlements and the implementation of pro-employee policies and programs aimed at ensuring the security of our fund, especially under the new IPAS system.

Garba has a wide range of experience working with similar committees; he was the Africa Representative for the Employee Advisory Council of Abt Associates Inc., where he championed improvement in employee remuneration across the organization worldwide.

For the last 4 years, Garba has been working as Health Specialist with UNICEF Nigeria. Before joining the UN, he worked with a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organizations, including Abt Associates Inc., FHI360, Pathfinder International, Actionaid International and Ahmadu Bello University. He is a member of several professional bodies including the American Public Health Association, FIGO and International College of Surgeons

Garba Safiyanu is a dedicated public health physician with specialist training in reproductive health, family planning management, and obstetrics and gynecology. Over nearly 3 decades, he has actively worked to improve the quality of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. Garba is married with three children and enjoys reading and traveling.

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My name is Jana Samkova. I am seeking your support for the position of Staff Representative of the United Nations to the Staff Pension Committee of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund because I want to serve my colleagues and to utilize the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my professional career to assist in the management of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.
I started my career in the United Nations in 1995 with UNHCR as a General Service staff. Currently, I am serving as Associate Administrative Officer with the Emergency Preparedness and Support Team in the Office of the Human Resources Management, Department of Management, position to which I was appointed after passing of the YPP exam. In this capacity I provide advice to staff members on emergency preparedness not only for them but also for their families as well. Prior to joining of the United Nations, I worked as a Desk Officer for the Mayor Office in Prague, Czech Republic, auditing the financial record of the city-owned companies. I received a Masters degree in Economic Information and Control from the University of Prague in 1987.
I have always been interested in staff well-being issues. I have been actively involved as representative of the staff in the GS and related category salary.
I would like to give a strong voice to the participants and beneficiaries of the UNJSPF with the aim of building a generally stable and healthy Fund. I want to raise the profile and influence of the participants, beneficiaries and staff members, especially in a context where we are facing challenges to maintain our pension benefits sound, secure and protected.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this very important election.
Please consider allowing me to serve you.
Your vote is appreciated.

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Mr. Abdoulaye SOFARA has a Malian nationality.

Graduate of Master in Public International law from the Legal and Political Faculty of Science (FSJP) of Bamako for seven years and also Master in Human Resources management from the Technical and Professional Institute (ITP) of Mali five years ago. During his school and university course, he was a studious student rolled of honor, appointed as official chair Public International Low promotion in 2010.

About three years, he has integrated MINUSMA Gao in the capacity as Security Assistant, by his rigor, his dynamism, his good sense of organization, his professionalism and the good results obtained during the achievement of his task, enabled him to be successively named coordinator of all the administrative matters of the head of the Security Section of (Gao), focal point Pass & ID and Data base Unit, focal Point UMOJA and COSMOS of the same Section. From 2012 to 2013, Mr. SOFARA served in a Malian security and safety company as a supervisor and a legal adviser.

From 2010 to 2012 he was father founder and Executive President Director of the NGO, Association for the Promotion and the Defense of Public Freedoms (APDLP); he also worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of African Integration and the International Cooperation as legal Assistant between 2010 - 2011 in the direction of the legal Affairs.


M. Abdoulaye SOFARA est de nationalité malienne (Mali).

Diplômé d’un Master en Droit International Public à la Faculté des Sciences Juridiques et Politiques (FSJP) de Bamako depuis sept ans et aussi un Master en Gestion des ressources Humaines à l’Institut Technique et Professionnel (ITP) du Mali il y a cinq ans. Pendant son cursus scolaire et universitaire, il fut un élève et étudiant studieux inscrit au tableau d’honneur, élu président de la promotion Droit International Public en 2010.

Depuis trois ans, il a intégré la MINUSMA Gao en qualité d’Assistant de Sécurité, par sa rigueur, son dynamisme, son bon sens de l’organisation, son professionnalisme et les résultats obtenu au cours des taches accompli lui ont permis d’être nommé successivement coordonnateur de toutes les questions administratives du chef de la section de sécurité (Gao) , Point focal Pass & ID and Data base Unit, Point focal UMOJA et Point focal COSMOS de ladite section.
De 2012 -2013 M. SOFARA a servi au sein d’une société malienne de sécurité et de sûreté en tant que superviseur et conseiller juridique.

De 2010 à 2012 il fut père fondateur et Président Directeur Exécutif de l’ONG Association pour la Promotion et la Défense des Libertés Publiques (APDLP); il a aussi exercé au Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, de l’Intégration Africaine et de la Coopération Internationale en qualité d’Assistant juridique entre 2010 – 2011 à la direction des Affaires juridiques.

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THIAM, Adama (UNOCI/Audit)
Adama Thiam has extensive experience in governance and oversight, administration and operations management, and has a number of professional certifications, including: fraud examination and prevention (CFE). Mr. Thiam had served in a number of field Missions; namely: MONUSCO, MINUSMA, UNOCI and twice at Headquarters (back to MINUSMA as Regional Admin Officer starting 1 April 2017). As auditor, Mr. Thiam had the opportunity to exchange with many staff members from various departments, divisions, sections and units, which gave him a good understanding issues faced by staff. This is mainly the case for UNOCI where Mr. Thiam is the Chief Resident Auditor overseeing the liquidation of the Mission, including staff separation, a process involving settling of staff pension fund for separating staff. Due to his long experience as auditor and his continuous care for others, Mr. Thiam would be a great fit to the UN Staff Pension Committee (UNSPC).
Dear friends/colleagues,
I count on your vote and your support to obtain more votes from other colleagues. I believe the UNJPF is in need of being strengthened and managed in a way that would be in the best interest of staff. With your support, I promise to do my best to protect your pension/investment and engage constructive and informed dialogue for a tailored and client-oriented UNJPF service delivery.
I count on you to spread the words and campaign for me.
With all our hard work at the UN, you and I deserve to enjoy our retirement and continue to support our families. All this will only continue to be possible if the fund is safeguarded, well managed and flexible enough to timely and appropriately respond to all staff needs. Through my humble person, you will be made aware of related strategic developments affecting the future of UNJPF while channeling your pertinent views through the interactive and regular dialogue and information sharing I intend to maintain throughout my tenure.
Let us say no to fraud and bad investments to protect our fund and join our efforts for a quality service delivery!
My will and commitment to serving your exclusive interest won’t materialize without your support by participating to the elections starting from Friday, 31 March, 6 PM EST to Monday, 10 April, 9 AM EST.
Just click on the link that will be provided to you on Friday 31 March and vote for Adama Thiam to promote a staff-centered UNJPF.

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I am seeking to make your voice heard as Staff Representative to the UNJSPF. I vow to bring a fresh and customer oriented perspective to the operational, administrative, and delivery challenges on which the Pension Fund is working.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Administration, plus a Master´s degree in Business Administration. For more than seventeen years I worked in risk management, customer orientation, marketing, finance, and overall management of products and programs. I became a Product Director for a large global bank. In 2015 I joined the UN system as an Administrative Officer for UN Environment (UNEP). I have witnessed first-hand the impacts UMOIA and IPAS (Integrated Pension Administration System) have brought to the UN Secretariat and other UN agencies.
The staff perspective and needs are to be taken into consideration and addressed as UNJSPF is presenting the results of a comprehensive “End to End Review” to the Board mid-2017. My unique background combines private sector and UN experience with a deep understanding of clients’ needs, especially when it comes to their financial future. This makes me an excellent candidate for a time when UNJSPF is trying to urgently respond to operational and administrative challenges.
I have worked both as staff and a volunteer in Latin America, North America, Africa, and Asia. I have a good grasp of cultural differences and global needs, which as your Staff Representative will become relevant in an environment where decisions are often made with headquarters centered perspectives.
Thank you in advance for your support and encourage you to actively participate in this significant vote.
Veronica Torrens

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1970-75 French College, Diploma with honor
1988-91 English College , Diploma with honor
1975-80 Law Faculty, Sofia National University – Master in Law,
Diploma with honor
1987-90 International Economic/Business Relations Institute
Master/Diploma
Mother language: Bulgarian
Fluency (Proficiency) in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Créol. Basic Arabic

I have 33 years relevant job experience , 21 at international level both in HQ and in the Field in C. D and E Duty stations.

1980-1987 Attorney/Judge/Prosecutor with Bulgarian Ministry of Justice
1987-1992 Legal adviser Bulgarian-Japanese CoLtd “Mitzucoshi”
1992-1995 Bulgarian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York ,
Bulgarian Representative for the UN Legal (Sixth) Committee, UNCITRAL and UNAT in UNHQ in New York.
Diplomat, responsible for the Sixth (legal) committee, The Administrative Tribunal, The Committee of Human rights (3rd Committee) and Vice-Chair person for the host Country Committee.
1995-1996 Human Rights Observer /DPKO Haiti
1996-2000 Legal Officer (Prosecutor), Office of the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda /Kigali, Rwanda.
2000-2003 Protection officer for UNHCR in Tbilissi,Georgia.
Dealing with protection issues for 8000 Chechen refugees and 350 000 IDPs.
2003- 2007 Supply officer /Contracts, Supply Management Services, UNHCR
2007 – 2012 Snr. Contracts Officer, Head of Contracts Unit with Supply Management Services in the Division of Emergency, Security and Supply ,UNHCR.

2012-2014 Snr. Contracts officer with Asia Bureau assisting with the submissions to the HCC and preparation of the contracts. Conducting pre-audit and post audit missions to the field including staff training and emergency misisons.
As of mid March 2014 and currently, Snr. Legal Advisor with the UNHCR HQ Geneva Staff Council and second Vice Chair .

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My name is Sobhi Zakrat. I was born in Aleppo, Syria, on 01 January 1959. In 1981 I obtained my bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from Aleppo University in Syria then in 1992 I gained my Ph.D. in Construction Management from Polytechnic of Poznan in Poland. In 2004 I finished one year postgraduate program diploma in IPM International Business Management from Mohawk Collage in Hamilton Ontario, Canada.
I worked as Civil Engineer in private sector and public sector as well in both countries Syria and Canada and after obtaining my Ph.D. in Construction Management I worked as Professor Assistant at Aleppo University, Faculty of Civil Engineering in Syria.
Since 2006 I have been licensed as Professional Engineer Ontario which allowed me to provide engineering services to the public in Canada.
On May 2008 I have joined MONUSCO and been working as Contracts Management Officer/Engineer Officer up to date.

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With several years of private sector accounting firms experience, I joined the United Nations in 1990, following a National Competitive Recruitment Examination. At the United Nations Internal Audit Service I carried out audits of finance, operations (including peacekeeping and technical cooperation projects away from Headquarters) and information technology.
I have been a member of the Board of Directors of the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) since 2008, responsible with the other Board members for overseeing all aspects of UNFCU’s operations, for the benefit of its members.
I have been a member of the Health and Life Insurance Committee at the United Nations Headquarters since 2013, representing staff. This committee makes recommendations on health and life insurance matters of most of the United Nations staff world-wide.
I am certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
If elected to the United Nations Staff Pension Committee, I will work to promote the interests of all participants of the Pension Fund and strive to ensure adequate governance, improved customer service and better financial performance of the Fund.