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.
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
C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (USA) Beijing Representative Office is a representative office of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Inc. The office is one of C40’s affiliate organisations in China that helps C40 to fulfil our charitable mission and is responsible for facilitating C40’s overall work in China.
In China, 13 cities have joined the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Chengdu, Dalian, Qingdao, Fuzhou, Zhenjiang and Hangzhou, collaborating with global cities to combat climate change.
C40 Beijing representative office was officially established in 2017, facilitating Chinese cities to draw up a blueprint for climate action, exploring innovative solutions in the forefront of climate change, participating in, contributing to and leading on international climate cooperation to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the growing national climate agenda. By establishing an international platform, participating and organising high-level events related to the Global Climate Action Agenda, C40 deepens the mutual understanding and builds consensus on accelerating climate action among Chinese and foreign cities, and promotes international collaboration in addressing the climate crisis.
Position Description:
The Program Intern will work closely with the Sectoral Policy Manager, China, supporting work on designing and implementing Chinese city technical assistance programmes in key sectors such as energy, building, non-CO2 GHG emission reduction, etc.
The role will report to the Sectoral Policy Manager, China, but work with multiple teams across C40 Beijing Office, as well as the global teams.
The postholder will be a dynamic, motivated self-starter. The ideal candidate will have excellent performance in both Mandarin and English communication and have exceptional organisational, analytical and attention to detail skills.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding in a range of subject areas including city climate policy, energy transition, and methane mitigation strategies, etc, and gain valuable experience working with Chinese and international colleagues in an exciting global organisation.
Responsibilities:
- Support the design of sectoral programmes in China through conducting desktop research and data collection on related context, policies, technologies, etc.
- Support the production of knowledge products of sectoral programmes through proofreading of English/Chinese translated reports/materials.
- Support the planning, delivery and reporting of programme activities such as webinars, workshops, study tours, conferences, etc.
- Support daily communication with other teams and partners through scheduling meetings, preparing materials, taking notes, etc.
- Support procurement process, including translating contracts, processing invoices and receipts, etc.
- Support city analysis on their alignment with C40 High Impact Actions (HIA) criteria.
- With approval from the line manager, support ad-hoc tasks for other teams within the Beijing Office as required.
- And any other duties appropriate to the grade.
Person Specification:
- Applicants need to be students currently enrolled in a university/college.
- Proficient written and verbal language skills in both English and Mandarin.
- Passionate for climate action, with a strong interest in city climate policy, energy transition or methane mitigation work.
- A sense of ownership towards work, with ability to independently formulate work plans and drive the work progress
- Strong interpersonal communication skills required for effective collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Demonstrated experience in working as part of a team, and in multi-cultural settings, and ability to manage multiple parallel tasks.
- Demonstrated experience in working with different languages is preferred.
- The working hours for this position are flexible, but a minimum of 3 days per week are required. Higher available working hours are preferred.
Other Requirements:
Applicants must already have the right to work in Beijing, China. Moderate travel will be required as 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: Sectoral Policy Manager, China
Term: Fixed term contract until 31st of December 2026
Location: Beijing - 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: 355 RMB/day, (Part-time position, 3 days per week; it can be extended up to 5 days) - 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 a cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, 5th January 2026 at 9am 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.
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