Background
C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities, who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis, and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before.
C40’s team of 400+ staff is based in offices in London, in New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations.
The strategic direction of the organisation is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan of London and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, responsible for operational oversight. A regionally diverse management team, led by Executive Director Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40. C40’s three core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and Realdania.
Our international staff work with the C40 network under the leadership of city governments to deliver this mission. Using a data-driven approach, our team identifies and promotes the exchange of proven programmes and policies developed by cities; provides world-class research, technical expertise and access to key partners to deliver new programmes and policies with cities; and communicates cities’ individual achievements and collective leadership.
Diversity Statement
C40 is committed to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and creating an inclusive working environment for everyone. We believe that when people with different life experiences are involved in decision-making, we deliver better.
We believe having a diverse workforce ensures we connect better with all the different communities and people affected by the climate crisis. This enables us to make better decisions which lead to better outcomes in the work we do through increased creativity, productivity, greater global impact alongside a broader perspective and approach to our work.
We welcome applicants that are diverse in terms of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective. Our goal is for C40 to be an environment where everyone, from any background, can flourish and can be themselves whilst contributing to our mission. If you identify as a person with a disability, we work to provide reasonable appropriate measures and any additional support needed to provide an equitable working experience. If you are living with a disability, chronic illness or neurodiversity please inform us, to provide you with the proper assistance in the application process.
C40 promotes a work culture where staff can input to improve equity, diversity and inclusion through staff-led groups and formal forums. We know that creating our ideal working environment is a learning process and we are committed to the ongoing effort.
Department Description
Climate Solutions and Networks:
C40’s CSN team oversees six program areas focused on priority climate action sectors and interventions: Energy and Buildings; Transportation; Urban Planning and Design; Food and Waste; Air Quality; and Climate Resilience. Under these program areas, CSN operates 16 different networks that facilitate city-to-city best practice sharing on specific climate action areas, such as clean energy or zero-emission vehicles. The networks help cities replicate, improve and accelerate climate action to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
These city-only working groups provide for honest knowledge and experience exchange, enabling cities to tap into the global expertise of their peers as well as connect with technical partners. Through networks, cities find opportunities to undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest and benefit. C40 networks also amplify individual city solutions by providing a global platform for showcasing city success. The result is that cities' climate actions to reduce GHGs, air pollutants and climate risks are bolder, fairer, and more impactful than if they were to go it alone.
A number of these programs and networks also offer direct support to cities through technical assistance projects, training, tools, and resources, often in conjunction with other C40 teams and programs. The CSN team also supports cities to deliver on the mayoral commitments made through C40’s accelerators including, but not limited to, the Green & Healthy Streets Accelerator, the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Accelerator, and the Water Safe Cities Accelerator. The C40 accelerators are statements of political leadership giving cities an opportunity to show leadership globally and locally.
Urban Planning and Design Team:
The Urban Planning and Design team (UPD) supports cities to accelerate sustainable and resilient planning policies and urban design practices that will help them deliver climate action in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The team runs several programs and activities including the Land Use Planning Network, the Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods Program and the Reinventing Cities design competition.
C40 aims to increase the activities of the Urban Planning and Design team in the coming years to provide increased support to cities in this key field. The latest IPCC report has outlined the importance of planning policies as cross-cutting enablers of emissions reduction and resilience, and as a key tool to institutionalise climate action plans. In recognition of this, the UPD team will be preparing an Urban Planning Accelerator throughout 2025 to drive Mayoral commitment around climate-responsive urban planning.
Position Description:
Working within the UPD team, C40’s Manager Urban Planning and Adaptation Integration will work closely with the Senior Manager Land Use Planning to support C40 member cities across the world to mainstream climate action through their urban plans, policies and zoning regulations. The role will support existing and develop new cross-team activities to help cities integrate adaptation and related mitigation policies into their planning documents.
The role will see the new Manager actively collaborating with the following teams:
- the Climate Resilience team, especially with the colleagues supporting the climate resilience networks on urban flooding, water security and urban heat; resilience mainstreaming; and the urban nature accelerator.
- C40 global teams that support adaptation work such as finance, research, diplomacy and climate action planning.
- C40 Africa Region team that provides targeted support to C40’s 13 city members on the African continent.
The role will also engage with strategic external partners. The ideal candidate will have experience working directly with cities on urban planning policies and/or climate adaptation, as well as some skills and experience on program development and management.
The Manager will be an experienced and proactive individual, able to manage their work independently and make the most of a complex portfolio in a high-profile area of C40’s work. They will join a team of dynamic C40 staff and will be connected to leading cities around the world. They must be passionate about working with a diverse range of cities to find practical urban planning solutions to address climate change and climate hazards.
Responsibilities:
- Providing direct support to cities - in particular African cities but not only - revising their planning documents, helping them to transpose the adaptation objectives of their Climate Action Plan into their local zoning/planning legislation;
- Supporting the development of C40’s new Urban Planning Accelerator, which will catalyse greater ambition and action from C40’s mayors on climate-responsive urban planning. Preparation of the new Accelerator will involve adopting a phased approach to content development, including city consultation, engaging key external partners navigating internal C40 approval processes and organising a high-profile launch event;
- Annual research into cities’ progress against the Urban Planning High-Impact Actions (reviewing cities’ master plans and policies);
- Development of guidance documents;
- Supporting the activities of the Land Use Planning Network, which exists to foster solutions through city-to-city exchange, through the organisation of webinars, workshops and events; and
- Manage city-focused research projects, technical assistance and sub-contractors as required;
- Pro-actively collaborate with colleagues in the Climate Solutions & Networks team and in C40, including with the Regions, Measurement and Planning, Business & Innovation, Research, Resilience, and International Diplomacy teams, to effectively support cities in achieving their GHG and resilience goals;
- Other duties as assigned.
Person Specification:
- Background and technical knowledge in sustainable urban planning is essential.
- Knowledge of the master planning process in the African context, particularly the integration of sustainability criteria into such processes (international experience is a plus);
- Knowledge of global best practices and different approaches to urban planning required, preferably with a focus on sustainable and resilient urban and land use planning policies and projects;
- Experience in relevant Local and/or State Government, business, research and/or NGO sectors with a strong focus on urban planning and development and an emphasis on climate change policy and programmes;
- Proven ability in developing, delivering and reporting on programme plans, including contract and budget management;
- Fluency and excellent writing skills in English essential; fluency in other languages spoken in C40 cities strongly preferred (especially Spanish);
- Excellent organisation skills with the ability to meet a variety of deadlines;
- Proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills essential, including proven ability to facilitate in-person workshops as well as virtual meetings or webinars;
- Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach required; and
- Experience working across different cultures, languages and time zones is a strong plus.
Other Requirements:
Applicants must already have the right to work in South Africa . Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.
Reporting To: Senior Manager Land Use Planning
Term: Indefinite
Location: South Africa
Salary: (Grade 4) ZAR 715,392 gross per annum
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday, 15th January 2025 at 5pm GMT. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.
To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit www.c40.org, follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/C40Cities.
For any queries about the role, please contact careers@C40.org. Kindly note that this email address is for recruitment related queries only. We are unable to accept CVs and cover letters sent to this inbox. We can only accept and process applications that are submitted via our website.
C40 is an equal opportunities employer.
