Manager, Adaptation Finance

Position title: Manager, Adaptation Finance

Department: Climate Finance Knowledge and Partnerships

Reporting to: Global Head, Adaptation Finance, City Finance Programme

Location: South Africa - 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 4) R736,496 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 Contract until 30th June 2029

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. For how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment.

Department Description

C40’s Climate Finance Knowledge and Partnerships Department works to address a range of municipal climate finance challenges, at different stages of project maturity, and across major urban infrastructure groups. By scaling up investment in these areas, mayors are creating safer, healthier and more economically sustainable communities for the current and future residents of their cities. The team’s strategic focus is on strengthening city financial capacity, supporting project conceptualisation and preparation, increasing the supply of climate finance and funding available to cities, supporting city Chief Financial Officers, engaging finance providers, and building enabling environments that support urban climate investment.

The Resilient Urban Futures Programme

Resilient Urban Futures (RUF) is a programme funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs that strengthens climate resilience in cities across Africa and Southeast Asia. It helps cities tackle climate risks such as coastal and urban flooding, droughts, and extreme heat, while promoting nature-based solutions. The programme combines support for planning and implementing high-impact adaptation actions, building local capacity and partnerships, and raising ambition for long-term climate resilience.

Position Description

In close coordination with the Global Head of Adaptation Finance, and in collaboration with the Resilient Urban Futures and Africa Regions teams, the Adaptation Finance Manager will support engagement with financial institutions and African cities, oversee technical deliverables from consultants, and lead the successful delivery of key events.

The ideal candidate is passionate about practical approaches to climate resilience, brings proven experience in urban project development and/or climate finance, possesses strong analytical skills, and has worked with or within city governments. An excellent communicator, collaborator, and facilitator, the Adaptation Finance Manager will engage cities and ensure effective technical assistance in collaboration with regional staff, the Resilience team, Inclusive Climate Action and Urban Planning Team, and project partners. Some international travel is expected.

This is a dynamic opportunity to deepen expertise in climate adaptation and finance while gaining hands-on experience working with international teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven global organisation.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate closely with the C40 City Finance Programme team, Africa Regions Team, and other teams with the RUF programme to ensure effective implementation of the finance workstream in the programme.
• Work closely with the Climate Change Adaptation Specialist in Africa, Resilience Advisors and City Teams to build a pipeline of adaptation projects for African cities.
• Lead and support financial matchmaking with financial institutions and strategic organisations to accelerate finance towards the project pipeline, in partnership with the Climate Change Adaptation Specialist in Africa.
• Ensure high-quality project management (track deliverables through the work plan, etc.)
• Manage the relationship with external consultants and ensure deliverables are high-quality, aligned with project guidelines, and delivered on time.
• Lead the planning and execution of capacity-building workshops and matchmaking events, including Adaptation Finance Academies, Investors Roundtables and Study Tours.
• Coordinate deliverables with city teams and resilience advisors, including regular calls and follow-ups to support and monitor the development of the deliverables.
• Support the Climate Budgeting and CFO Network for African Cities team in activities related to mainstreaming adaptation in financial planning and budgeting for African Cities.
• Track project impact and key performance indicators (KPIs) (including interviews with financial institutions and assess the project's impact)
• Prepare funding progress reports, including monthly timesheets and milestone updates.
• Lead the secretariat and convene monthly or bi-monthly meetings with the C40 adaptation community of practice team.
• Assist in drafting new funding applications, as agreed with the Global Head of Adaptation Finance, as needed.
• Provide support to other adaptation finance and resilience initiatives as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Person Specification:

• Relevant qualification such as climate adaptation, sustainability, environmental studies, urban planning, engineering, finance, economics, or a relevant field.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in urban project development or financial planning, particularly within the climate adaptation finance/climate finance field.
• Proven experience working with or within local governments is essential.
• Strong background in climate change adaptation, urban resilience, water management, or disaster risk reduction within government, non-profit, or research sectors.
• Experience collaborating with a range of stakeholders, such as NGOs, development finance institutions, project preparation facilities, or private sector partners.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills with a delivery-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work effectively across cultures, time zones, and organisational boundaries.
• Advanced-level written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Proficiency in French is desirable.
• Experience designing and facilitating both in-person workshops and virtual meetings/webinars.

Other Requirements:

Applicants must already have the right to work in South Africa. 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.

C40 offers a comprehensive benefits package to support employee well-being and work-life balance:

• Paid Time Off: Full-time employees receive 35 days of paid time off annually, which includes all national holidays.
• Company Shutdowns: In addition to the standard paid time off, C40 provides two non-contractual, non-statutory shutdown weeks each year (mid-year and end-of-year) for a full break.
• Parental Leave: All employees are eligible for up to 52 weeks of parenting leave. The first 16 weeks are paid at 100% of the employee's current salary. Weeks 17 through 52 are unpaid by C40, unless payment is required by national law.
• Flexible Working: C40 supports flexible working arrangements to enhance work-life balance, provided they align with business requirements.
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL): Employees can take TOIL to recover following periods of excessive hours or travel.
• Sick Leave: Entitlement to sick leave increases upon the successful completion of the employee's probation period.
• Employee Training: Training and development opportunities are available to all staff (excluding temporary staff and interns) after they have completed and passed their probation period.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Confidential services, such as counselling, are accessible for short-term support.
• Pension scheme: C40 offers a pension scheme to employees in eligible locations. Availability is determined by the country of employment.
• Private Health Insurance: This is provided in countries where publicly funded healthcare is not available.

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is Monday 23rd February 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 careers@C40.org. 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.