City Diplomacy Manager (Madrid, Berlin, Warsaw or Athens)

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 15th year, connects 96 of the world’s greatest cities which have committed to tackling climate change. We bring mayors from around the world together to learn from each other in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating resilient, sustainable and low carbon cities. C40 cities represent more than 700 million urban citizens and their economies account for 25% of the global GDP. C40’s ‘Deadline 2020’ report sets out the critical role that the world’s major cities have to play in delivering the historic Paris Agreement to prevent catastrophic climate change. 

C40’s team of 200+ staff is headquartered in New York, with offices in London, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations, with the Office of the Chair based in Los Angeles.  

The strategic direction of the organization is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors which is chaired by the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors, which is responsible for operational oversight. A nine-person 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 (CIFF) and Realdania.

At C40, we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore encourage a diverse pool of applicants and welcome applications from all sections of the community and would like to request you to complete the recruitment and diversity questionnaire, to help us monitor our recruitment and selection procedures. For how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment.

Department Description

Based on the concept that city climate leadership can make a strategic and positive difference both at global and local levels, it helps shape the collective and individual voice of cities in the global discussions related to climate change and sustainable urban development. Led by a global, dynamic and growing group of talented individuals based in London, Copenhagen and Toronto, the City Diplomacy Programme is part of the International Diplomacy team at C40.

Through effective engagement in the global agendas, global campaigns, strategic partnerships and special projects, C40 City Diplomacy aims at enhancing cities as global climate leaders, as well as influencing policies, markets and stakeholders towards undertaking ambitious climate action, with the ultimate goal of supporting cities to deliver on their fair share of the Paris Agreement, and contribute to put the world on a +1.5°C pathway.

Position Description
The City Diplomacy Manager works closely with the Head of Advocacy under the leadership of the Director, City Diplomacy Programme to drive strategic and effective engagement of the C40 network and its member cities in global climate policy dialogue and to maximise their impact in the global political stage. The position will focus on the strategic run-up to COP26 in Glasgow (November 2021) - including supporting the delivery of bespoke C40 ambition raising and climate action campaigns – and C40’s European climate strategy to engage European C40 cities in European climate policy making and the European Green Deal.

Responsibilities:

• Support and help coordinate the mobilisation of C40 member cities around strategic diplomatic objectives and campaigns.
• Support and help coordinate C40’s engagement in the UNFCCC process ahead of COP26 in Glasgow (November 2021), including C40’s participation in the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) major group, the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action and bespoke C40 campaigns towards COP26
• Support and help coordinate C40’s European climate strategy including bringing together and coordinating partners, organising mayoral and city representative consultations and forums as well as producing communications and advocacy outputs.
• Identify and advise on high profile communication opportunities related to the city diplomacy COP26 and European strategies.
• Undertake research and analysis to support city diplomacy activities and prepare briefings for key issues and opportunties.
• Support organization and coordination of city diplomacy events.

Person Specification:

• Solid understanding of climate change, the UNFCCC process, European institutions, European decision-making and European climate policy.
• 5 years work experience in national, municipal or regional government, international agencies, and/ or NGO/non-profit sector.
• Experience in international relations, partnerships, and diplomacy.
• Prior experience working with cities on climate change or sustainable urban development, preferred.
• Experience working with high profile international leaders, preferred.
• Master’s degree in political or social science, governance, public affairs, international relations, sustainability, environmental studies, European studies, communication, engineering, preferred.
• Fast-learning, analytical and problem-solving skills coupled with creative strategic thinking and robust organisational capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong English language skills required. Fluency in one or more languages from C40 cities, preferred.
• Be passionately committed to the mission and objectives of C40.

Other Requirements:  Applicants must already have the right to work in city of application. Some travel will be required as part of the role (COVID-19 dependant).

Location: Madrid, Berlin, Warsaw or Athens. Other locations will be considered for the right candidate.

Term: Fixed Term – until 31 May 2021

Salary: 

            Madrid:  €39,332 EUR gross per annum

            Berlin:    €36,569.50 EUR gross per annum

            Warsaw: zl 112,565.58 PLN gross per annum

            Athens:   €35,633.46 EUR gross per annum

 Closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 29 September 2020.