Job Description

The purpose of the Benefits Specialist (Pension) is to provide support to the specific Benefits team by completing accurate and timeous Pension administrative inputs, checks and document management / filing services to ensure that all People activities are recorded and traceable. The role effectively concludes all aspects pertaining to pension fund administration across various pension and provident funds in the group including but not limited to the administration of retirement, disability, and death claims. The role also renders additional ad hoc Pension support services as required within the function. There is a strong focus on the investigation and administrative support of death claims in this role. Including but not limited to the engagement with various stakeholders during the process to collect information and ensure accurate and timeous completion of the outstanding requirements.Job Advert Details
Job Category Human Resources
Job ObjectivesEmployee Centric Delivery

• Providing administrative support and processing retirement, death, and disability claims.
• Liaising with relevant Fund Administrators as well as internal divisional offices and stakeholders.
• Providing administrative support across the Group Pension portfolio, in accordance with the Pension benefits policies and procedures.
• Adhering to legislative as required by the benefits function.
• Escalating concerns or challenges relating to Pension administration and processing immediately to ensure an efficient flow of work is maintained.
• Coordinating the resolution of queries related to Pension related activities.
• Providing information on how the Pension funds work and empowering the Service Desk with relevant first line inputs to build the capacity within the Service Desk.
• Registering new applications, processing, and communicating outcomes, facilitating the transactional activities associated with the Pension portfolio and related requirements.
• Compiling and updating documents as required. Capturing, loading, and processing of relevant documents on relevant systems. Maintaining databases on Excel.
• Maintaining filing and recording all required administration on systems for reference and auditing purposes.
• Making use of official templates and systems for correspondence, memo, and related administrative activities.
• Updating and maintaining People data in accordance with data standards - Extracting statistical information from SAP and maintaining statistical updates.
• Ongoing screening of incoming correspondence and addressing according to level of priority for and within the Pension portfolio activities.
• Participating in Pension fund or related projects and other adhoc activities.
• Ensuring work is completed according to the sequence required and agreed prioritisation.

People (Self, Team & Organisational)

• Participating in, and aligning with the Benefits team to deliver solutions and services to the business.
• Participating in various team activities that foster an innovative, agile and employee centric culture where employees are supported, empowered and valued.
• Participating in various team activities that foster a wellness culture to ensure that the Benefits team mentally, physically and emotionally feels supported.
• Participating in the enablement of a culture of open and transparent communication within the Benefits team.

Financial, Reporting & BI

• Ensuring accuracy in data input and relevant reports as applicable to the Benefits team.
• Using official data sources to inform administrative outputs.
• Assisting with compiling basic reports for input to broader Benefits and/or People team requirements.
• Consolidating basic costs or data as required by the Benefits Pension function.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensuring compliance with relevant labour relations frameworks and legislation.
• Ensuring compliance to organisational and legislative governance frameworks and standards including the H&S requirements and POPI Act.
• Identifying and mitigation of Pension Administration risks.

Future-Fit

• Participating in the integration and effective flow of work with other service areas and business.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in Pension administration service delivery.
• Suggesting or sharing ideas related to relevant Buying Card, Edu Loans & Long Service Awards functional technology requirements where required.

QualificationsDiploma in Administration or equivalent - (beneficial).
Grade 12, National Senior Certificate - (essential).
Experience+2 years in an Administrative Benefits role with exposure to supporting the processes related to Pension or similar benefits offerings in a Group structure - (essential).
Demonstrable exposure to the death claim investigations and related administration - including but not limited to the engagement with various stakeholders during the process - (preferred).
Experience within the FMCG, retail sector or similar - (preferred).
Knowledge and SkillsConnecting & Initiating - Works cooperatively with others and effectively manages disagreements. Works as part of a team and collaborates with others. Invites input and suggestions from colleagues. Shares information that may be useful to others. Handles conflict situations in a constructive way. Makes proactive decisions but refers to others when necessary. Takes responsibility for own work or projects. Gets involved in projects without being prompted and takes on additional responsibilities. Takes initiative to update own knowledge base and skillset.Executing & achieving - Identifies what needs to be achieved. Establishes priorities and manages time effectively. Creates clear action plans including tasks and timelines. Takes account of possible changing circumstances. Monitors own progress to ensure the accurate and timely completion of work. Sets realistic goals for themselves. Clarifies task requirements and expectations for delivery. Monitors activity to measure progress against set timelines. Ensures tasks have been completed in line with expectations.Responding & adapting - Remains productive and maintains high levels of performance in a pressurised environment. Remains calm and composed in stressful situations. Is able to maintain focus in pressurised environments. Maintains a positive outlook believing challenges can be overcome. Perseveres despite setbacks, not giving up prematurely. The ability to embrace uncertainty and adapt swiftly to changing situations. Is comfortable working with ambiguity. Adapts to new information and changing conditions. Demonstrates a willingness to change ideas or perceptions based on new information or contrary evidence.Analysing & Innovating - Works through the relevant details and facts. Makes connections in information identifying how different aspects of a problem are related and possible causes within the context of their role and function. Recognises the need for additional information and works to obtain it. Develops alternative approaches to the prevailing processes. Modifies and adapts current methods and approaches to better meet needs. Displays curiosity and an openness to new ideas. Takes accountability for embracing new processes, methods or systems that are introduced.Performance & output alignment - Interprets individual performance data to identify areas of poor performance. Co-creates individual performance improvement plans. Aligns functional activities and outputs to the broader People team. Seeks to continuously improve.Human Capital administration, policies & procedures - Understands the HC administrative processes to process employee data. Generates People orientated documentation in support of HC processes. Understands the regulatory and policy requirements to maintain and keep employee files and records. Understands the importance of maintaining confidentiality when working with employee information.Benefits knowledge - with reference to Pension Administration: retirement, disability, and death administrative processes.Processing - Uses the required system within this process. Knows the company process requirements with regard to keeping relevant logs, files and records up-to-date and accurate. Knows the requirements for accurate reporting on process outputs. Knows how to maintain compliance with policy and process requirements.Governance & ethical behaviour - Applies the Governance Policy, Code of Conduct and ethical behaviour. Responds to feedback and non-compliance and implements suitable corrections.

Shoprite Holdings