Claim/Benefits Processing Manager - Gauteng at Eskom Pension and Provident Fund

Description

Manage internal departmental functions and processes:

• Develop and implement plans for the section that support Pension Administration and EPPF’s objectives, ensuring optimisation of current business and workflow processes.
• all benefit processing activities in accordance with the benefits as defined in the rules of the Fund and applicable legislation.
• Unclaimed benefits and Evidence of Survival reviews, tracing and verification
• Fund valuation and all audits
• Provide interpretation advice on the application of the Rules of Fund.
• Ensure that audit controls are in place and audit requests are followed up.
• Participate on the defined Committees (Benefits Committee (BC), Medical Panel (MP), Management Benefits Committee (MBC)) and take decisions based on formal documentation.
• Implement controls and work plans, these may include allocating field trips, establishment of deadlines; control registers and implementation of databases for both ill health administration & social work case registers.
• Manage the administration system, checking that accurate record keeping and query management is adhered to.
• Manage the query and issues log for the department, monitoring turnaround times and responses to queries.
• Compile weekly/monthly statistical reports on the departmental activities and performance.
• Compile annual departmental statistical summary of departmental activities.

Project Management 

• Participate in the Fund’s overall projects as required with continuous focus on Business Processes, system enhancements, omni channel business insight, contributing expertise to enable project objectives to be met.
• Draft reports as part of the project deliverables.

Provide input to the strategic management of the section

• Contribute ideas for improved service delivery at Management meetings.
• Compile comprehensive business reports for this function, highlighting successes and risks in terms of achieving the section’s objectives.
• Keep abreast with changes in relevant guidelines and other legislation, to make recommendations where policies and procedures need to be amended.
• Develop, enhance and implement processes and procedures that are relevant to the section and enhance service delivery.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement new systems and processes, enabling integration to other areas.

Oversee Section 37C dependency investigations on death benefits allocations

• Manage investigations on death benefit cases confirming dependency with recommended benefits allocation percentages for approval by Benefits Committee.
• Monitor that outstanding banking details for payment of approved death benefits are followed up, and confirmed.
• Verify that death benefits allocation reports produced are legally compliant with recommendations and reflect minimal errors.
• Manage multi-disciplinary case reviews on benefits allocations with Legal Department
• Provide a Benefits Allocation Checklist to ensure fair and equitable allocation of death benefits
• Monitor that reports are written in required format and settings and information on reports is accurate and logically concluded.
• Co-ordinate submission of death benefits allocation reports to management within agreed timelines for before Benefits Committee (BC) meeting for approval.
• Participate in Benefits Committee meetings, contributing expertise in order to facilitate decision making.
• Oversee enquiries, cooperate and provide information on legal complaints.

Oversee the provision of social services to guardian cases; implementation of Benefits Committee & Medical Panel decisions and requests / referrals for case investigations and social advice from other internal departments

• Implementation of decisions, requests and referred cases, with reports and recommendations being submitted to BC, MP& BP or other internal departments.
• Ensure compliance with Fund rules and legislation to suspension, addition, termination and reinstatement of beneficiaries (widows and minor children) in compliance.
• Monitor guardian changes, Trust advances and payments
• Oversee the accurate payment of benefits to the correct beneficiaries.
• Monitor the use of children’s instalment lump sum accounts and pension benefits to reduce the number of unnecessary requests for advanced payment.
• Monitor customer and stakeholder enquiries are accurately and sensitively resolved or escalated to the appropriate level.

People Leadership 

• Manage planning of resource requirements, ensure sufficient capable resources are in place to meet service delivery demands, maintaining the effective and efficient capability of the department.
• Build a high performing team where the best people are deployed in the right roles and deliver against strategy.
• Ensure that all employees are motivated, developed.
• Manage employees’ performance and ensure that their individual and collective performance is of the required standard.
• Implement and maintain an effective system of internal controls and delegations of authority for the department, to ensure that accountability for decisions made.
• Inspires, aligns and engages employees around the vision and strategy of the Fund, maximising employee engagement and willingness to invest discretionary effort. 

Financial Management 

• Forecast annual capital and operational expenses for the section in line with corporate policy.
• Manage costs against approved budget.
• Investigate methods to contain / reduce costs.

Corporate Governance

• Ensure compliance to procedures and relevant legislation
• Provide detailed, accurate information for internal and external audit purposes within specified deadlines.
• Action audit issues identified within time frames indicated.
• Implement controls within the section which minimize potential risk to stakeholders.
• Compile accurate financial statements, reflecting the status of the section.
• Maintain sound relationships with key stakeholders within EPPF.
• Participate in management forums within EPPF, contributing expertise to enable sound decision making.

Contribute to the team

• Provide assistance to internal and external stakeholders, as required.
• Assist with follow up on issues identified within the section.
• Liaise with Eskom employer HR, other Pension Administration staff and Accounts on member and pensioner benefits investigation issues.
• Participate in EPPF’s projects, contributing knowledge of benefits investigation processes and requirements.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION/TRAINING

Relevant Bachelor’s Degree. Registered with professional bodies - where applicable

REQUIRED MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 6 years job-related experience, which should include at least 2 years’ experience in a management role
• Knowledge of an African Language is an advantage

TECHNICAL COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS  

• Working knowledge of Pension Fund Rules
• Basic knowledge of Income Tax Act, Divorce Act, Pension Funds Act, Child Care Act, Marriage Act, Recognition of Customary Marriage Act, Mental Health Act
• Working knowledge of Benefit administration
• Knowledge of Law - Section 37 (C) allocation of death benefit lump sums
• Valid driver’s licence