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 two core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies 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.
About The Global Covenant of Mayors For Climate & Energy
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM or Global Covenant), is a global coalition of cities and local governments with a shared long-term vision of promoting and supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low-carbon, resilient society. The alliance unites and inspires its stakeholders to strengthen global climate coherence, accelerate the energy transition, and generate locally-tailored solutions for a common purpose: creating an inclusive, just, low-emission, and climate-resilient future for all.
Co-chaired by former New York City Mayor and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, and European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, and with the support of global and regional city networks, the Global Covenant of Mayors represents the strongest and clearest signal to national governments that cities are not only acting to stop the effects of climate change, they are leading and leading together. Mayors from across all global regions serve on the Board, and represent city networks, Regional Covenants and bring locally specific perspectives – ensuring that the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is truly led by mayors.
C40 Cities is the fiscal sponsor of the Bloomberg Philanthropies funded parts of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM). As the host organization, C40 provides financial, administrative, and operational services to GCoM. C40 and GCoM are working closely together on aligned programmes and areas of activity.
The City Finance Programme
C40’s City Finance Programme works to address a range of municipal climate finance challenges, at different stages of project maturity, and across major urban infrastructure groups: clean energy, zero-carbon buildings, transportation, waste and climate adaptation & resilience. By scaling up investment in these areas, and simultaneously divesting from fossil fuels, mayors are creating safer, healthier and more economically sustainable communities for the current and future residents of their cities. The team’s strategic focus is on strengthening city financial capacity, increasing the supply of climate finance and funding available to cities, facilitating engagement with finance providers, and building enabling environments that support urban climate investment. The core City Finance Programme team oversees and/or coordinates with special projects and initiatives within C40 that also have a finance focus, including ZEBRA, Laneshift, C40 Cities Finance Facility, UrbanShift, Climate Budgeting Pilot Project, and others.
The City Finance Programme’s transportation finance portfolio emphasises clean bus and freight technologies, and is expanding to additional strategic areas including walking & cycling, public transport improvement, clean air zones, vehicle charging infrastructure, and others.
C40 and GCoM Joint Activities
Bloomberg Philanthropies is supporting joint activities by C40 and the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) to work with partners on a shared agenda to:
- Increase cities’ access to finance for projects that combat the climate crisis and improve resilience;
- Ensure nation-states upgrade their national climate commitments as a result of working with cities, with a particular focus on city climate action being included in nation-states’ climate action plans, which are due in 2025 (Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs);
- Improve the quality and ease of access to climate data so cities can start implementing the most impactful climate actions as quickly as possible.
Position Description:
The Senior Manager for Transportation Finance will hold primary responsibility for the transport finance portfolio, supporting C40 and GCoM cities in developing business models and financing options for zero emission transportation solutions. C40’s current transportation finance portfolio emphasises clean bus and freight technologies, but has potential to expand to additional strategic areas including clean air, walking & cycling, public transport improvement, vehicle charging infrastructure, transport resilience and others. With an expanding team, the position offers the opportunity to continue the development of a strong global workstream as well as provide strategic input into maximising city engagement and outcomes in a key sector for climate mitigation. The position requires a strong programme manager with technical skills related to clean transportation finance, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with C40 and GCoM programmes, donors, and partners.
Responsibilities:
- Lead major areas of the Clean Transportation Finance global portfolio to support implementation of the zero emission urban transport agenda.
- Lead a range of capacity building and city-to-city peer support activities to strengthen city capacity to attract and utilise funding/finance for transportation.
- Develop and manage partnerships aimed at increasing the supply of finance available to cities, including through development of financial innovations.
- Develop and implement existing and new strategic projects including developing project/fundraising proposals and implementation strategies.
- Work with C40’s Transportation Team, Regional Teams and relevant GCoM teams, as well as directly with cities and transport authorities to identify and address challenges.
- Independently manage budgets and key deliverables, including data and content for written reports, defining technical assistance support, and overseeing consultants.
Person Specification:
- Substantial work experience related to finance and the transportation sector, with an emphasis on city finance desirable.
- Experience working with municipalities on sustainable transport projects;
- Diploma in Finance, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Engineering, Climate Policy, International Relations, Economy, or related fields.
- Demonstrable project management experience, including oversight of multiple concurrent projects.
- Strong strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-orientated approach.
- Strong abilities to work with others, both as a facilitator and an agenda driver with a highly collaborative approach to problem solving.
- Experience with business case development, financial modelling and/or quantitative analysis of transportation issues desirable.
- Ability to communicate complex content in a compelling manner, coupled with excellent convening and facilitation skills.
- Fluent in English (spoken and written), proficiency in other languages desirable.
- Staff management experience is desirable.
Other Requirements:
Applicants must already have the right to work in the location they're applying for. Travel may be required as a part of the role.
We seek to recruit individuals who not only have the appropriate skills and experience for the role, but are committed to carrying out their roles in line with our organisational values.
Reporting To: Director, City Finance Programme
Term: Fixed Term Contract – until 31st December 2027 (The appointment and the duration of the role are subject to the final approval of funding)
Location: Brazil & South Africa - Please note that if your right to work in one of the listed locations is not confirmed at the time of applying, C40 will be unable to proceed with your application.
Salary: (Grade 3)Brazil (IC) USD 78,740 & South Africa ZAR 1,067,386 gross per annum - Due to its commitment to maintain equity and fairness, C40 operates on a spot salary model. This means that our employees are paid the same salary according to their grade and location.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday, 7th January 2026 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 how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment
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.