Urban Nature Finance Manager

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 Climate Finance, Knowledge and Partnerships Department

The Climate Finance, Knowledge and Partnerships Department consists of several teams collectively working towards supporting cities to deliver on their climate action plans, share their knowledge, and engage key stakeholders in building global support for climate action. The department includes the following components: (i)  the City Finance programme; ii) the Climate Budgeting programme to strengthen governance and accountability for climate action; (iii) the Knowledge and Research team; and (iv) Partnerships including C40’s Business Engagement. 

The City Finance Programme

C40’s City Finance Programme works to address a range of municipal climate finance challenges, at different stages of project maturity, and across major urban infrastructure groups: clean energy, zero-carbon buildings, transportation, waste and climate adaptation & resilience. By scaling up investment in these areas, and simultaneously divesting from fossil fuels, 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, increasing the supply of climate finance and funding available to cities, facilitating engagement with finance providers, and building enabling environments that support urban climate investment. The core City Finance Programme team oversees and/or coordinates with special projects and initiatives within C40 that also have a finance focus, including ZEBRA, Laneshift, C40 Cities Finance Facility, UrbanShift, Climate Budgeting Pilot Project, and others.

The City Finance Programme supports cities worldwide in accessing finance for their climate urban infrastructure projects through a four-pillar approach:

• Demand Side: It provides technical assistance and capacity-building to help cities develop bankable projects, by promoting early-stage engagement and financial stakeholder buy-in; showcasing cities’ pipelines of climate action projects and promoting evidence for investment.
• Supply Side: It accelerates the availability of finance by sharing relevant information with engaged financiers and investors, and by facilitating and catalyzing innovative finance solutions and vehicles.
• Connecting Cities to Finance: Ultimately, the programme connects cities with finance opportunities, engaging projects from upstream to mid-stream phases through initiatives such as finance academies, investor roundtables, and other targeted engagements, supporting cities to achieve the maturity needed for future implementation. 
• Enabling Policy: Supporting the enabling environment for cities to access the finance and funding required for climate infrastructure investment. 

The Nature-Based Solutions Project Incubator for Brazilian Cities

Co-developed by C40 and the Boticario Foundation Group, the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Project Incubator aims to facilitate access to finance for urban development projects with the approach of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Brazilian cities by catalyzing early engagement of finance and funding providers, promoting stakeholder buy-in, and making a compelling case for future project investment.

The NBS Project Incubator will provide support for the pipeline development and conceptualization of 30 Project Concept Notes in large and medium Brazilian cities, ensuring fair selection via open call, to be presented to Development Financial Institutions, project preparation facilities, climate and urban development funds, and investors.

Selected cities will be able to “pitch” their projects for financiers and investors in an Investors Roundtable, planned as a side event to be hosted potentially during the next C40 World Mayors Summit, in November 2025, where C40 Mayoral Leadership will showcase their projects with NBS approach, aligned with the C40 Urban Nature Accelerator commitments and C40’s work on flooding, drought, and extreme heat, as well as the leadership of Mayors in adaptation in Brazil, as an important pillar for the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships  (CHAMP) Brazil and COP30. 

Position Description

In close coordination with the Global Head of Adaptation Finance, the Nature Finance Manager will lead the engagement of Brazilian cities in the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Project Incubator for Brazilian Cities, while overseeing technical deliverables from consultants and supporting the successful delivery of key events.

The ideal candidate is passionate about practical approaches to climate resilience and nature-based solutions, 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 Nature Finance Manager will engage cities and ensure effective technical assistance in collaboration with regional staff, the C40 Nature and Resilience team, and project partners. Some travel within Brazil is expected.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate closely with the C40 City Finance Programme team, Regional Directors, Nature & Resilience team, local city leads, and the Boticário Group Foundation to ensure effective implementation of the NBS Project Incubator.
• Project management (track deliverables through the work plan, etc.)
• Lead engagement with selected cities, including regular calls and follow-ups to support and monitor the development of Project Concept Notes.
• Manage the relationship with external consultants and ensure deliverables are high-quality, aligned with project guidelines, and delivered on time.
• Support the planning and execution of capacity-building virtual workshops, including: Support on coordinating invitations and logistics; facilitating and presenting sessions; timekeeping, documenting discussions, and conducting city follow-ups.
• Support coordination and logistics for the High-Level Investors Roundtable (November 2025), including managing invitations and participation of cities, reviewing city presentations and materials, supporting documentation and post-event follow-ups.
• Track project impact and key performance indicators (KPIs), including conducting post-event satisfaction surveys and preparing follow-up communications.

• Prepare funding progress reports, including monthly tracking spreadsheets and milestone updates.
• Support financial matchmaking with financial institutions and strategic organisations to accelerate finance towards the project pipeline
• Lead interviews with financial institutions and assess the project's impact.
• Assist in drafting new funding applications, as agreed with the Global Head of Adaptation Finance.
• Provide support to other adaptation finance and resilience initiatives as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Person Specification:

• Relevant qualification in climate adaptation, sustainability, environmental studies, urban planning, engineering, finance, economic or relevant field.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in urban project development or financial planning, particularly within 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.
• Native-level Portuguese and excellent English communication skills (written and verbal). An additional language 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 Brazil. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role. 

Reporting To: Global Head, Adaptation Finance

Term: Fixed Term to 30th September 2026

Location: Brazil -  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. Applications should be submitted in English

Salary:Grade 4 (IC) USD $61,770 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:

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 10th September at 9.00am BST. 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.