Pension Fund Governing Board External Professional Expert

Background

The CERN Pension Fund is the pension fund of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Its purpose is to provide pension and disability benefits to over 7,000 members and beneficiaries employed at CERN and at the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Operating as a funded defined benefit scheme, its assets currently exceed CHF 4.6 billion. The Fund is an integral part of CERN but with operational autonomy.

Its governance is entrusted to the Pension Fund Governing Board (PFGB), assisted by an Actuarial & Technical Committee (ATC) and an Investment Committee (IC). There are two vacancies for external professional experts on the board as existing members reach the end of their terms.

The PFGB functions include monitoring the actuarial status of the Fund, reviewing the Annual Report & Financial Statements, approving the Statement of Investment Principles, Investment Guidelines, Risk Limit, and Strategic Asset Allocation, and approving the internal audit plan. It must have at least ten members comprising two members appointed by the CERN Council, one by the ESO Council, one ex‑officio member appointed by CERN Management, two appointed by the CERN Staff Association, one by the ESO Staff Association, one by the CERN and ESO Pensioner Association, and two professional members specialised in pension fund matters appointed by the CERN Council.

The Chief Executive Officer attends all meetings as Secretary but does not vote.

Members are appointed for a maximum of three years, renewable once for an additional three years.

The PFGB usually holds five meetings each year, including one joint meeting with the ATC and one with the IC, plus additional meetings or conference calls as needed. Meetings typically last a full day and take place at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, or occasionally by video conference. Professional members are expected to attend every meeting and to act in the best interests of the Fund, abiding by the CERN Code of Conduct and the Pension Fund Implementation Guidelines.

Candidates must have deep and extensive experience overseeing the assets and liabilities of large pension funds or similar long‑term institutional investors such as endowments, foundations, and sovereign wealth funds. Academic and/or professional qualifications and experience in the following areas are desirable:

• Corporate/pension fund governance
• Actuarial science
• Asset management
• Portfolio construction
• Financial reporting
• Risk management
• Global custody
• Auditing
• Pensions administration

Appointments are made on an individual basis. Applicants employed by a firm may apply only in a personal capacity.

A market‑competitive fee will be payable to external experts appointed. Further information will be provided during the selection process.

Interested persons should apply with a CV (.PDF format) by clicking “I’m interested” on this link.

Applications will be accepted until 30 August 2026. Interviews for selected candidates will take place by video conference.