Head of Breathe Cities, City Engagement
Job details
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. C40’s Air Quality Program C40’s Air Quality Program works with city governments at the political and technical level to raise mayors' ambition, overcome gaps in data and evidence, and design and deliver effective air quality-climate solutions. The C40 Air Quality Program provides a range of support, from deep engagement in pilot cities to technical assistance across a broader group, while connecting cities through peer to peer networks and creating tools and resources available to all cities. The Air Quality Program also includes deeper assistance programs, a global technical assistance initiative that partners with cities in developing and implementing air quality management activities and the African Cities for Clean Air initiative, a regional program supporting African cities in implementing air quality actions. C40, working with its partners at the Clean Air Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies, is launching a major new air quality initiative, Breathe Cities, to enable clean air progress in cities around the world. Breathe Cities Breathe Cities is an exciting new air quality program designed to break down barriers to action and ensure communities around the world have access to clean air. Announced at London Climate Week in 2023 by Michael R. Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Mayor of London and C40 Chair Sadiq Khan, this clean air initiative is a partnership between Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Clean Air Fund, and C40 Cities to save lives, improve health, and reduce air pollution that is both harmful to public health and the climate. Funding, technical support, air quality data, community engagement, and more will be provided to member cities, supporting them to implement ambitious new air quality measures. Breathe Cities will arm cities with resources and support by focusing on four key pillars:
- Data and Research : Expand the availability of local air quality data through the use of innovative new technologies and research into causes of air pollution to provide local governments with evidence for implementing and enforcing new policies.
- Stakeholder and Community Engagement : Engage local campaigns and grassroots organisers to build awareness and support for air quality action, especially for communities most affected by air pollution.
- Technical Policy Assistance : Support local governments and city halls to develop and deliver clean air policies by providing technical assistance and capacity building to support policymakers in identifying and implementing solutions
- Lesson Sharing : Share learnings across cities to help other cities to act.
- Serve as C40’s lead on the Breathe Cities partnership, overseeing C40’s engagement in the broader partnership and delivery of C40’s elements within the partnership in the Technical Policy Assistance pillar and city government engagement and coordination.
- Shaping and supporting the set-up of C40’s Breathe Cities delivery programs, working with colleagues in sectoral and regional teams to develop clear governance structures and approaches for effective implementation.
- Provide team management, leadership, and training/onboarding new staff.
- Work closely and collaboratively with the Air Quality Program Team, and the Breathe Cities Technical Heads, based in each region, to support successful programme delivery through their regional teams.
- Lead a small team that ensures all programme and grant management requirements of C40’s regional delivery teams, the cities, and donors are met. This includes oversight of C40’s budget, monitoring progress against C40’s cross-regional work plans and KPIs, supporting teams to adapt and implement city work plans, monitoring and mitigating risk, reporting to donors and working with senior management on future strategy.
- Support the Director and Deputy Director of Air Quality to develop and implement the strategy, governance models, internal operations and coordination mechanisms, staffing structures, and programme proposals for the delivery of the Breathe Cities program, in collaboration with C40 teams and Breathe Cities partners.
- Support the Breathe Cities regional teams to understand and fulfil the processes, timelines and requirements to access Breathe Cities funding for city projects through Breathe Cities governance structures and centralise all funding requests from C40 regional teams.
- Lead C40’s coordination with program partners and funders, including developing country and city strategies and associated grant requests, and ensuring alignment with C40’s governance structures, internal operations, and coordination structures.
- Be the primary point of contact with the funders, managing global relationships, agreeing KPIs, providing timely, accurate information and coordinating reporting, and participating in strategy development and fundraising.
- Build partnerships with external organisations that can support the delivery of priority air quality solutions in cities and serve as a point of contact with strategic delivery partners in other air quality, city and climate-related NGOs.
- Create and maintain a collegial environment and camaraderie across C40 and CAF teams in charge of Breathe Cities delivery
- Convene and chair cross-team internal C40 Breathe Cities’ working groups making sure C40 teams across regions and sectors are informed on latest progress, lessons learned, risks are managed and ensure alignment of Breathe Global activities with those being delivered through other projects, in particular C40 Air Quality Programme core activities.
- Foster collaboration across C40 to ensure alignment of Breathe Cities’ policy goals with other C40 programs, initiatives and business plan priorities.
- Work closely with colleagues across C40 including transport, campaigns, communications, benefits research, finance, inclusive climate action and regional delivery programmes to understand C40 resources and assets and, wherever possible, coordinate resources.
- Oversee the formation of, and Chair, a Breathe Cities Forum, that will convene participating cities and partners in knowledge sharing and collaboration.
- Oversee and work with Breathe Cities technical experts and coordinators to design a knowledge management and sharing strategy for the Breathe Cities Forum.
- Work collaboratively with C40 staff to author new knowledge products and serve as a spokesperson for city led action on air quality issues.
- Extensive experience in local and/or state government, private or public sector, research and/or NGO sectors of developing, implementing and/or advising on multi-disciplinary air quality, climate, or adjacent public policy initiatives.
- 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.
- Significant programme management experience, including of large and complex programmes. Experience managing global programmes (e.g. across multiple countries and regions) is highly desirable.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams located in different time zones.
- Experience working in a matrix management environment.
- Proven track record of effectively collaborating with major global partners and funders, such as NGOs and advocacy organisations, philanthropic trusts, and the corporate sector.
- Experience dealing with senior political representatives and orchestrating complex multi-stakeholder partnerships.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. Excellent convenor, with ability to bring together teams towards implementing a common goal, including proven ability to facilitate in-person as well as virtual meetings.
- Knowledge, gained through professional experience, of sustainability and public health challenges faced in cities, policymaking approaches taken by city governments, and the role of technical work with city governments to overcome these challenges and support policy implementation.
- Fluency in English is essential, additional languages would be an asset
- Advanced degree in relevant discipline.
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