Senior Manager, Zero Emission Areas

C40 Cities; Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1 037 000; Full time

Job summary

A global climate network is looking for a Senior Manager to advance Zero Emission Areas initiatives. This role involves strategic planning, managing technical assistance for cities, and fundraising to support climate action goals. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in public policy and a strong background in transportation initiatives. This position is based in South Africa, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in transportation or public policy initiatives.
• Technical expertise in feasibility studies and policy design.
• Fluency in English essential, with another language preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategy and work plan for Zero Emission Areas.
• Manage technical assistance to cities on clean air zone policies.
• Fundraise for resources supporting cities' CAZ-related goals.

Skills

Experience in public policy initiatives

Quantitative and qualitative policy analyses

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving capabilities

Education

7+ years in Government or NGO sectors

Job description

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.

C40 Climate Solutions and Networks

C40’s Climate Solutions and Networks (CSN) team oversees six program areas focused on priority climate action sectors and interventions: Energy and Buildings; Transportation; Urban Planning; 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 Towards Zero Waste Accelerators. The C40 accelerators are statements of political leadership giving cities an opportunity to show leadership globally and locally.

The Transportation Programme

The Transportation Programme supports the creation of compact and connected cities and the reduction of emissions from the transportation sector. The programme helps cities: 1) reduce the need for journeys through compact, connected planning; 2) shift journeys to low‑carbon modes of transport such as public transport, walking and cycling; 3) improve the efficiency of public and private fleets by transitioning to zero‑emission vehicles; and 4) adapt and make transport infrastructure more resilient so it meets the needs of a changing climate.

Position Description

C40’s Senior Manager, Zero Emission Areas supports C40 cities to progress towards delivering zero emission areas or stepping stone actions such as low emission zones or road user charging. At C40, we use the term Clean Air Zones (CAZs) to group policies such as Zero Emission Areas (the end goal) and their stepping stone policies, such as Low Emission Zones, Congestion Pricing, Zero Emission Zones for Freight, among others.

The Senior Manager will be responsible for working with the Head of Zero Emission Areas and Vehicles to develop the strategy and implement the work plan for the Zero Emission Area Programme. The post holder will be responsible for managing and delivering technical assistance to C40 cities that are looking to design, implement, evaluate, or progress their Clean Air Zone policies. This technical assistance could include running and/or supervising the delivery of feasibility studies or cost‑benefit analyses of CAZs. They will focus on increasing city ambition and fostering solutions through city peer‑to‑peer support and providing technical assistance through C40 programmes. In addition, the post holder will spend time supporting fundraising and helping promote the importance of zero emission areas (ZEAs) as an ambitious climate action, to ultimately increase the number of cities that are able to achieve this action in their cities by 2030.

The Senior Manager will be an experienced and proactive individual, able to work with multi‑disciplinary teams (including experts across urban planning, walking & cycling, public transport, air quality, zero emission vehicles, communications, campaigns and stakeholder engagement). They will have experience working with a diverse range of cities and local contexts to find practical solutions to unlock barriers to ambitious action on urban transport.

Responsibilities

• Drive the strategy and develop the work plan with the Head of Zero Emission Areas and Vehicles to support cities to deliver zero emission areas (ZEAs) by 2030.
• Identify the needs of cities to deliver ambitious stepping stones towards zero emission areas (such as Low Emission Zones, Congestion Pricing, Zero Emission Delivery Zones etc.).
• Be able to conduct and/or manage technical assistance to cities on CAZ policies, including feasibility studies, cost‑benefit analyses, policy design roadmaps etc.
• Work with senior colleagues to fundraise for further resources to support cities in delivering CAZ‑related goals.
• Work closely with colleagues across C40, including zero emission vehicles, zero emission freight, air quality, walking & cycling, public transport, , campaigns, communications, benefits research, and inclusive climate action to understand C40 resources and assets and, wherever possible, coordinate resources around the CAZs strategic focus areas and cities.
• Convene in‑person and virtual meetings and communications between C40 cities to facilitate peer‑to‑peer interactions, including developing agenda content and managing logistics, to leverage city expertise and knowledge.
• Build and maintain ongoing relationships with funders and other relevant external partners and allies to identify opportunities for collaboration or influence to break down barriers for cities to implement ZEAs by 2030.
• Manage a portfolio of grants if applicable. Tasks could include leading on procurement of services, internal and external reporting, managing technical assistance, sub‑contractors and the programmes budgets.
• Lead the development of knowledge products (e.g. blog posts, reports, etc.).
• Work with Green and Healthy Streets Knowledge Manager and members of the C40 Knowledge Hub team to maintain a repository of actions, best practice, and case studies on CAZs in cities that is an ongoing knowledge resource for cities.
• Advise senior colleagues within C40 (e.g. through the development of briefings), and represent C40 externally to senior stakeholders.
• Work with the Transport Directors to support delivery of other priorities of the Transport Team as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Person Specification

• 7+ years’ experience in local and/or state Government, private or public sector, research and/or NGO sectors of developing/ implementing/ advising on multi‑disciplinary transportation or adjacent public policy initiatives;
• Technical expertise running quantitative and qualitative policy analyses (e.g. feasibility studies, cost‑benefit analyses, policy design and implementation roadmaps, etc.);
• Knowledge of global best practices and different approaches to transport policy required, preferably with a focus on reducing car use, overall vehicle miles travelled and vehicle emissions regulation and demonstrating the impacts and benefits;
• Proven ability in developing, delivering and reporting on programme plans, including contract and budget management;
• Proven track record of working collaboratively and effectively with major global partners, such as NGOs and advocacy organisations, the corporate sector, and funders;
• Knowledge and experience in campaigns would be an advantage;
• Fluency in English essential; fluency in another language spoken in a C40 city is strongly preferred;
• 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;
• International experience required, particularly working across different cultures, languages and time zones.

Other Requirements

• Applicants must already have the right to work in the listed locations. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.

Reporting To: Head of Zero Emission Areas and Vehicles

Term: Indefinite

Location: Denmark, South Africa, UK - 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) Denmark DKK 675,388 , South Africa ZAR 1,036,800, UK GBP £63,32 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:

Closing date for applications is Monday 8th December at 5pm UK Time. 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 [e-mail]. 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.