PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The People and Strategy Team ensures that Mercy Corps has the people, strategies and learning that will enable it to be a world-class, cutting edge, humanitarian organization, creating transformational change in the world. We do this through: the recruitment, retention and development of the best global talent. Our aim is to drive strategic thinking and planning at all levels of the organization; create a robust body of research to guide us internally and externally and steward the organizational culture. To achieve this we align conversations on learning; keep the organization focused on what has the greatest impact; leverage our comparative advantages in the crowded and competitive international relief and development landscape; and assure we are constantly learning from our work and the external environment.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for executing the administrative responsibilities of Mercy Corps’ global benefit portfolio, ensuring Mercy Corps’ benefits meet the unique support needs of team members in 40+ global locations. The Benefits Administrator will be responsible for coordinating the annual renewal process, identifying methods to elevate underutilized benefits, acting as a first point of contact for team member benefit issues and providing technical support to field-based programs. Additionally, this position will be the organization’s primary point of contact for increasing awareness of Mercy Corps benefit programs, ensuring that Mercy Corps team members are maximizing their employment experience.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy and Vision:
Provide support for the successful completion of the Global Human Resources department objectives.
Keep up to date on trends in employer sponsored benefit programs as well as benefit administration best practices.
Use best-practices and developing trends to inform a benefit portfolio that aligns with Mercy Corps’ mission and priorities.
Personal Leadership:
Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
Demonstrate an awareness of his/her personal strengths and development needs.
Collaboration:
Collaborate closely with Regional HR Officers, Payroll Officers, and other members of the Global Human Resources and People and Strategy teams, with particularly close work around helping Mercy Corps team members navigate benefit programs.
Maintain productive relationships with insurance brokers, benefit vendors and program stakeholders.
Respond to and address all benefit related questions, issues and inquiries within the current Global Human Resources standard of 3 days from receipt.
Benefit Administration:
Coordinate COBRA and Health Continuation notice distribution to transitioning team members and coordinate the premium tracking process with Mercy Corps 3rd party administrator.
Responsible for processing insurance enrollments and changes for all assigned benefits.
Processes and tracks all workers compensation, short-term disability and long-term disability claims. Liaises between team member and provider to facilitate timely and accurate adjudication.
Work with People and Strategy team members, insurance brokers and benefit vendors to ensure that all compliance regulations are followed, including annual ACA reporting requirements.
Coordinate the annual benefit renewal process with Mercy Corps’ insurance brokers.
Align renewal activities within the strategic framework provided by internal stakeholders.
Escalate team member benefit issues with Mercy Corps’ insurance vendors as needed. Coordinate appropriate follow up with department leadership.
Maintain a positive relationship with Mercy Corps’ benefit providers in a manner that promotes the best interest of Mercy Corps team members.
Provide responses to state unemployment inquires. Coordinate Mercy Corps representation at hearings.
Administers Mercy Corps team member leave and accommodation programs. Coordinates processing workers compensation claims with Mercy Corps brokers.
Reconcile monthly vendor invoices.
Benefit Communication:
Manage individual team member benefit inquiries and escalate issues as needed to appropriate stakeholder.
Maintain monthly meetings with insurance brokers to ensure joint problem-solving and progress on identified strategic priorities.
Leads communication activities with the global Mercy Corps team in order to increase knowledge and utilization of Mercy Corps benefit programs.
Coordinate the annual benefit gatherings to ensure participation of key vendors while maximizing on-site attendance and remote participation of Mercy Corps team members.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: none
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Human Resources Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Global Human Resources and other People and Strategy team members; Corporate Accounting; International Finance; Other internal stakeholders
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
A demonstrated top performer with energy, intelligence, strong analytical skills and highly evolved interpersonal skills.
Minimum of 4-6 years of experience working with and administering benefit programs.
BA/BS in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field, preferred.
Multi-lingual is a ‘plus’ (English required with French, Spanish or Arabic as a second language).
Demonstrated history of providing excellent customer service and a high level of attention to detail
Demonstrated knowledge of employee benefit program designs that meet the needs of a globally dispersed workforce.
A historically demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information.
Must have strong analytical, mathematical and problem solving skills, effective organizational and interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication.
A proven ability to originate, maintain and audit records.
Understandings how to leverage benefit programs to align with industry duty of care best practices.
Proven experience and intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as the ability to navigate the Internet/intranet.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful team member will be an avid learner, self-directed, innovative and action orientated. Furthermore, they must have the ability to work independently, employ effective time management skills, handle frequent interruptions and shift priorities, exhibit effective customer service skills and work effectively with a wide variety of individuals including team members based overseas. Additionally, the individual will thrive in a fast paced environment prone to rapid change and be willing to increase his/her responsibility level in the assigned areas. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a positive approach, a strong commitment to team work and personal accountability and the ability to be flexible and ensure that effective communication is a priority in all situations.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The position is based in Portland, Oregon and it requires minimal domestic travel.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
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