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.
Department Description
Climate Solutions and Networks:
C40’s CSN department oversees six program areas focused on priority climate action sectors and interventions: Energy and Buildings; Transportation; Urban Planning and Design; Food and Waste; Air Quality; and Climate Resilience. Under these program areas, CSN operates 16 different networks that facilitate city-to-city best practice sharing on specific climate action areas, such as clean energy or zero-emission vehicles. The networks help cities replicate, improve and accelerate climate action to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
These city-only working groups provide for honest knowledge and experience exchange, enabling cities to tap into the global expertise of their peers as well as connect with technical partners. Through networks, cities find opportunities to undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest and benefit. C40 networks also amplify individual city solutions by providing a global platform for showcasing city success. The result is that cities' climate actions to reduce GHGs, air pollutants and climate risks are bolder, fairer, and more impactful than if they were to go it alone.
A number of these programs and networks also offer direct support to cities through technical assistance projects, training, tools, and resources, often in conjunction with other C40 teams and programs. CSN teams also support cities to deliver on the mayoral commitments made through C40’s accelerators including the Urban Planning Accelerator, the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Accelerator, and the Water Safe Cities Accelerator. The C40 accelerators are statements of political leadership giving cities an opportunity to show leadership globally and locally.
Urban Planning and Design Team:
Urban planning is one of the most powerful tools for climate action. Through spatial plans, policies, legislation, building codes and municipal by-laws, urban planning sets the blueprint for how cities grow and evolve. Urban expansion in areas of high-climate risk outpaces growth in low-risk areas, worldwide. A more compact land-use could cut emissions by up to 25% by 2050. These are just some of the reasons why C40 advocates for urban planners as some of the best climate activists. The choices they make today will determine whether cities can meet climate targets and deliver healthier, more equitable lives - now and for generations to come.
The Urban Planning and Design team (UPD), located within the CSN department, supports cities to accelerate sustainable and resilient planning policies and urban design practices that will help them deliver climate action in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. C40’s UPD work promotes sustainable and equitable urban growth at all scales, from the city to the neighborhood and individual site. Reflecting these different scales of intervention, the team is loosely divided into three sub-teams: “Land Use Planning” (city-scale), “Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods” (neighbourhood) and “Reinventing Cities” (site).
To support cities in achieving their climate goals and building better cities, C40 and UN-Habitat launched in November 2025 the Urban Planning Accelerator, a 10-year framework for action that prioritises people, the planet, and shared prosperity. More than 30 mayors endorsed the accelerator, committing to build cities that are less emissions-intensive, protect communities from climate risks, restore ecosystems, strengthen resilience, and create vibrant, inclusive places where everyone can thrive. This is achieved through six mandatory commitments - coupled with specific quantified targets against which cities will report every two years:
3 commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
3 commitments to reduce climate vulnerability and protect people
The C40 and UN-Habitat Urban Planning Accelerator will assist city governments with the
technical, political, and policy support needed to embed climate action at the heart of urban planning.
Alongside the team’s accelerator and network initiatives, there are technical assistance programmes that support cities to transpose the actions contained within their Climate Action Plans into legally binding planning policy and regulation, as well as concrete pilot projects to demonstrate “proof of concept”. Current programmes focus on climate mainstreaming into urban planning frameworks in South & West Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Position Description:
Working primarily within the “Land Use Planning” sub-team of the UPD team, the Urban Planning Accelerator Manager will manage the growing network of cities and be responsible for the design and delivery of knowledge-sharing activities (e.g. articles, technical workshop, webinars). The Manager will work very closely with the Land Use Planning Senior Manager and others in the team to support C40 member cities across the world to advance their progress against the commitments and targets of the Urban Planning Accelerator.
The Manager will be an experienced and proactive individual, able to manage their work independently and make the most of a complex portfolio in a high-profile area of C40’s work. They will join a team of dynamic C40 staff and will be connected to leading cities around the world. They must be passionate about working with a diverse range of cities to find practical urban planning solutions to cut greenhouse gas emissions, tackle climate hazards and boost urban quality of life.
Responsibilities:
● Project coordination: Manage the day-to-day operations of the C40 and UN-Habitat Urban Planning Accelerator, including developing and maintaining project timelines, tracking key milestones, and ensuring reporting deliverables are met on schedule. At times, this may involve managing external consultants.
● Technical assistance: Provide light technical assistance to cities across the C40 network in revising their urban planning documents, helping them to transpose the commitments of the Urban Planning Accelerator into their local zoning/planning framework (plans, policy or regulation).
● City engagement: Act as a point of contact for Accelerator signatory cities, cultivating strong working relationships and ensuring relevant opportunities and needs are fed back to the team.
● Facilitate knowledge sharing: Develop, collate, and disseminate best practices, case studies, and guidance on climate-responsive urban planning to the C40 network. Also support in facilitating city-to-city calls on topics of interest (e.g. connecting city x, which is struggling to incentivise transit-oriented development, with city y, a long-standing leader in this area).
● Event, webinar and workshop organisation: Coordinate the logistics, content development, and invitation of participants (typically senior urban planners from across the C40 city network) for virtual and in-person peer-to-peer
workshops/webinars/events.
● Research: Undertake annual research into cities’ progress against the commitments/targets of the Urban Planning Accelerator.
● Develop funding proposals: as required and under the guidance of senior team members, support the drafting of tailored fundraising proposals (e.g. scoping a programme to support cities in the East, Southeast Asia and Oceania region to advance climate-responsive urban planning).
● And any other duties appropriate to the grade.
Person Specification:
● Background and technical knowledge in sustainable urban planning is essential.
● Familiarity with global best practices and different urban planning solutions to climate issues, preferably with a focus on sustainable and resilient urban and land
use planning policies and projects.
● Detailed knowledge of urban planning frameworks / master plan processes in at least one country is valuable; it is not expected that candidates will be familiar with such frameworks in multiple C40 cities. However, a keen interest and willingness to learn is essential.
● Relevant experience in Local and/or State Government, business, research and/or NGO sectors with a strong focus on urban planning and development and an
emphasis on climate change policy and programmes. International experience is
beneficial but non-essential.
● Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to meet a variety of deadlines.
● Excellent attention to detail in all aspects of work, including presentation of written
reports / slide presentations.
● Proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently.
● Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a keenness for and ability to facilitate in-person workshops as well as virtual meetings or webinars.
● Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities.
● Excellent interpersonal skills, enjoying building relationships with city officials.
● Fluency and excellent writing skills in English are essential.
● Experience working across different cultures, languages and time zones is a strong plus.
Other Requirements:
Applicants must already have the right to work in the country where they apply. 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.
Reporting To: Senior Manager Land Use Planning
Term: Indefinite
Location: Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia & Philippines - 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) Colombia COP 127,400,000, Indonesia IDR 384,975,611, Malaysia MYR 131,302 & Philippines PHP 1,263,450 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.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 9th January 2026 at 5pm GMT. 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 how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment