Director, adaptation and water initiative

Background

Created by cities for cities, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) advances the climate action agendas of the world’s megacities in order to achieve meaningful reductions of greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks. The C40 consists of 59 engaged cities globally that are committed to replicable and sustainable climate-related policies locally, which address climate change globally.

Our international staff works with the C40 network under the leadership of city governments to deliver this mission. Using a data-driven approach, our team identifies and promotes exchange of proven programs and policies developed by cities; provides world-class research, technical expertise and access to key partners to deliver new programs and policies with cities; and communicates cities’ individual achievements and collective leadership.

The current chair of the C40 is New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who – with the support of the C40 Executive Team – guides the work of the C40, along with the members of the C40 Steering Committee. Current Steering Committee members are: Berlin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, London, New York City, Sao Paulo, Seoul and Tokyo.

C40 works in an aligned partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) Cities program, which was started by the William J. Clinton Foundation. This brings significant resources and infrastructure to enhance and accelerate historic activities and positions the combined effort as one of the preeminent climate action organizations in the world.

C40 Initiatives and Networks

To drive city-to-city collaboration, C40, in partnership with CCI, convenes networks - active and dynamic working groups of C40 cities with commonly identified opportunities, interests and priorities. These networks are organized under seven overarching themes or initiatives: Transportation; Energy; Solid Waste Management; Sustainable Communities; Measurement and Planning; Adaptation and Water; and Finance & Economic Development.

Adaptation and Water Initiative

C40’s Director, Adaptation and Water Initiative will develop new networks, focused on areas such as water drainage, green infrastructure and climate change adaptation. The Director will also work very closely with the City of Rotterdam on integrating the existing Connecting Delta Cities network into the C40’s overall work on adaptation. The Director will manage the C40’s relationships with public and private partners in the Initiative area, working collaboratively with other Initiative and regional leads.

The Director will be passionate about finding practical solutions to climate change and managing climate risk, have strong interest and familiarity with water, drainage and adaptation programs and policies, and ideally have experience working directly with city governments. A natural communicator, collaborator, and facilitator, the Director will successfully bring cities together to share lessons learnt and best practices; develop and manage major global partnerships; and facilitate delivery of technical support to C40 cities working collaboratively with regional staff and partners. Moderate to significant travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategy for the C40-CCI Adaptation and Water Initiative to accelerate the identification and implementation of programs and policies to reduce GHG emissions as well as manage climate risks in C40 cities
• Draft, deliver and maintain against a comprehensive work plan for the initiative as well as respective networks
• Facilitate bi-lateral and multi-lateral city interactions, in order to leverage expertise and knowledge residing with cities
• Convene in-person and virtual meetings of C40 cities, including developing agendas and managing meeting logistics
• Focus peer-to-peer exchange, direct support, and research/knowledge management on priorities identified by cities, responding flexibly when such priorities change
• Develop and manage major partnerships which will direct resources to C40 cities
• Facilitate delivery of technical support to a limited number of C40 cities, largely through managed partnerships, strategically prioritizing based on potential impact and feasibility
• Act as a global spokesperson for C40 cities’ successes and challenges in water and adaptation
• Additional duties as requested

Qualifications

• Minimum five years experience in government, business and/or NGO sectors with a focus on water, drainage and adaptation
• Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-orientated approach
• Proven track record in working collaboratively and effectively with major global partners, such as NGOs, the corporate sector, multilateral development banks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, possessing a great degree of comfort and experience in public speaking/press relations
• Strong English language skills required, as well as fluency in another language, spoken in a C40 city, preferred

Ideally, candidates will also possess:

• Significant international experience, particularly working across different cultures, languages and time zones
• Proven expertise and interest in facilitation of in-person workshops as well as virtual meetings or webinars
• Advanced degree in relevant discipline; MBA; MPA; MPP preferred

The position reports to the Director of Global Initiatives, based in London, who sits on the C40 Executive Team.