Consultant- Senior Manager Communications, Freetown Co-Chair’s Office

Position title: Consultant- Senior Manager Communications, Freetown Co-Chair’s Office

Department: Governance & Executive Engagement

Location: Freetown - 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: USD $48,744 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.

Term: Fixed term until the 31st December 2027, in line with the Mayoral Term

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.

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

C40’s Governance and Executive Engagement Department is responsible for the management of the Co-Chair’s office, C40 Steering Committee, C40 Global Board, and Finance and Audit Committee. In addition, the department supports the Executive Director in all activities including thought leadership, scheduling, and briefings. The Global Events and Special Projects team sits within the department.

Scope:

This exciting consultancy will be a key contributor on all elements of external communications for the C40 Co-Chair, from executing on opportunities to elevate the voice and profile of the Co-Chair, to developing key messages and talking points, press releases, op-eds, video scripts, speeches and other creative content – working closely with the Co-Chair team and wider Communications Department at C40. This person will play a critical role within C40’s Governance and Communications Teams, in order to showcase the climate leadership of the C40 Co-Chair locally, nationally and internationally through exciting and high-quality communications and campaigns. Our ideal candidate will be innovative, a self-starter and collaborative, with a solid track record of writing and creating innovative content and delivering high-profile media coverage across a variety of platforms, including for major events.

Responsibilities and Deliverables:

• Identify proactive and reactive opportunities to further the reach and influence of the C40 Co-Chair, Mayor of Freetown, raising her profile as a climate leader locally, nationally and globally, and showcasing the positive impact of her work as Co-Chair and as Mayor of Freetown. This includes developing and executing the ​​Co-Chair’s media strategy.
• In close coordination with the C40 Communications team, the Mayor’s Office, and the Office of the C40 Co-Chair, identify and deliver on the Co-Chair’s communications priorities, ensuring they are closely aligned with C40’s overall Communications strategy.
• Represent C40 Communications and be the main point of contact with the Mayor’s Office staff and the Office of the C40 co-Chair, ensuring a steady flow of information between Freetown and the C40 Communications team, the C40 Executive Director’s Office and C40’s Africa Regional Team; secure approvals and sign offs, and advise on crisis communications related to the Chair. Ensure a structure is in place for information flow across teams, leading on its implementation and execution.
• Develop, review and get approval/sign off for various pieces of content for the C40 Co-Chair – working with the Co-Chair’s Office, Co-Chair Comms lead for London and Communications Department at C40:
  1. Draft op-eds, quotes and talking points.
  2. Draft and issue press releases, pitch stories and coordinate media interviews.
  3. Respond to media inquiries and requests for comment from the Co-Chair, the Mayor’s Office and C40.
  4. Draft comprehensive briefing materials, talking points, speeches, correspondence and other written materials, and ensure the Co-Chair and members of his staff are well prepared ahead of media interviews.
  5. Draft speeches for the Co-Chair.
  6. Draft scripts and creative briefings for videos and other multimedia content related to the Co-Chair for distribution on C40’s and the city of Freetown's social media platforms.
• Grow and maintain good relationships with key influential journalists in the region.
• Help develop partnerships with Freetown and regionally-based advocacy and media organisations.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree with experience in creating and delivering highly impactful communications, content and campaigns, generating high-profile media coverage and innovative content across a variety of platforms.
• Good writing and editorial skills, and an ability to express complex, abstract ideas to a variety of audiences in an accessible and engaging way.
• Speech-writing experience for an elected official or senior leader of a global organisation, and experience briefing elected officials or senior spokespeople for media interviews, speeches, social media content and other public engagements.
• Good knowledge and understanding of media relations, including crisis communications; experience securing media coverage for complex issues.
• Good contacts with a range of media, especially on environmental/climate beat.
• Experience managing and maintaining partnerships with key individuals, funders and/or organisations and managing stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Experience managing media at major high-profile international events, including staffing press rooms and organising and delivering press conferences.
• Experience working with digital communications and social media.
• Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively on multiple projects simultaneously and remain focused in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Be passionate about C40’s work and mission; subject-matter knowledge or expertise in the climate sector preferred.
• Excellent team player and collaborator with strong relationship management and ambassadorial skills.
• Fluency in English - spoken and written - is required.

Other requirements

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

We seek to recruit individuals who not only have the appropriate skills and experience for the role, but are committed to carrying out their roles in line with our organisational values.

Please note that this is a consultancy opportunity, therefore the successful individual will be liable to pay their own taxes, in accordance with relevant legislation in Sierra Leone.

The compensation offer is an all inclusive and no other benefits will be available under this type of contract.

Application process

The closing date for applications is Friday, 18th September 2026 at 4pm BST. C40 reserves the right to close this consultancy opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications (CV and Cover letter) 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 this consultancy, please contact careers@C40.org