United States Federal Affairs Project Officerbaito Pro Job

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.

Department Description

The Regions & Mayoral Engagement Team is led by C40 Regional Directors positioned in seven regions: Africa; Central East Asia; East, Southeast Asia and Oceania; Europe; Latin America; North America; and South & West Asia. They provide regional specific support for the specific needs, priorities, political context, and capacity of each of C40’s regions and individual cities.

Working with C40’s 17 cities in the US and Canada the North America region has three key objectives: (1) Accelerate the delivery of climate actions in C40 North American cities and across the region to deliver healthy, equitable and resilient cities; (2) Utilize the leadership of mayors to inspire and increase healthy and equitable climate action within North America and globally; and finally (3) work with partners regionally and globally to help remove barriers to climate action. 

In the United States, the North America team is working closely with Climate Mayors, the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and other partners to support all cities in accessing and taking full advantage of unprecedented federal funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and more. This position will support both C40 and non-C40 cities and our partners in leveraging federal funding to advance equitable climate action.

Position Description:

The United States Federal Affairs Project Officer, reporting to the Head of US Federal Affairs, will be responsible for coordinating a new project, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, in partnership with Climate Mayors and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, to support mayors and city leaders to take full advantage of federal climate funding. This includes supporting the planning and delivery of workshops and other support to cities to accelerate climate action with federal funding.  

The role will work with a wide range of C40 teams and partner organisations to coordinate activities and ensure teams deliver in a timely and effective way. The role also conducts high-quality policy research, prepares guidance and presentations and helps to plan and deliver events. The role will involve supporting the administration of the Rockefeller Foundation grant, including management of meetings, action points, procurement, milestone delivery and reporting. 

The ideal candidate will be an energetic and delivery-focused individual, working with the team to deliver transformative change. The post holder will be an effective collaborator to build strong connections within C40, and with key C40 stakeholders, and will thrive in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities:

• Support the US Federal Affairs team including management of meetings, action points, milestone delivery and reporting
• Support the delivery of the Rockefeller Foundation project tracking including coordination with external partners and consultants, preparation of public-facing resources and presentations, and event planning. 
• Working with 6 cities to plan and deliver workshops to help the cities identify and advance shared priorities for federal climate funding with local communities and businesses. 
• Support cities to leverage unprecedented levels of federal investment in climate, clean energy, and good jobs in the United States through research, procurement, and other support as required.
• Collate information and support peer learning about existing city-led, federal funded projects to feature in story-telling and campaign activities.
• Work closely with relevant C40 teams including the good, green jobs campaigns, city finance program, and more to deliver support to cities.
• Coordinate procurement of consultancy and event services.
• Develop briefings and other effective knowledge content for city staff and for C40’s teams
• Collate, summarise and communicate the project outcomes and work with the Head of US Federal Affairs to keep track of programme risks, lessons learnt and engagement.
• Other duties as assigned

Person Specification:

Essential

• Knowledge of climate action at the city and/or federal level and familiarity with major sources of funding at the local and federal levels in addition to the principles of equitable climate action. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including knowledge and understanding of concise, effective communication and leading on the development of presentations, briefing documents and other communication or campaign materials, with the ability to relay the ‘big picture’
• Strong project organisational skills including experience coordinating delivery of complex projects across teams and familiarity with project management tools
• Ability to manage multiple parallel tasks with competing deadlines, and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal capabilities coupled with an outcome/delivery-oriented approach required
• Good attention to detail and deep listening
• Proficient with Microsoft Office / Google Suite
• Fluency in English is required

Desirable:

• Experience working in or with local governments on climate, sustainability, or urban planning and/or experience working with federal agency grant programs.
• Event planning and/or community engagement experience.
• Familiarity with project management software such as Asana or Salesforce.

Other Requirements:

Applicants must already have the right to work in the United States. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role. 

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is Friday 5th January at 5.00pm GMT. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.

For any queries about the role, please contact careers@C40.org

C40 is an equal opportunities employer.