All Things Urban

C40 connects more than 90 of the world’s greatest cities. It is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens.

C40 is establishing a Green Ports Forum to work towards reducing emissions associated with port operations and related supply chains by bringing together port cities and related actors in a common agenda. Shipping related emissions contribute to nearly 3% of global CO2 emissions, over 60,000 deaths each year due to air pollution, and ports are vulnerable to a changing climate. For many of the world’s largest coastal cities, their ports are core components of their local economies and provide significant and high-quality jobs. Port-cities face challenges associated with these same operations - from air pollution, congestion, and co-location of potentially harmful industries near the ports that are vulnerable to stressors – resulting in significant health concern among local communities. Due to the interconnected nature of supply chains, concerted action is needed to advance sustainability strategies and cities can play an important role in enabling the emissions reductions needed to mitigate climate change, reduce economic inequalities, and protect local communities. The C40 Green Ports Forum will aim to connect leading cities and ports to create new research and support collective action towards reducing emissions in the sector.

The successful candidate will be a quick learner who thrives in dynamic environments and is skilled at managing a diverse portfolio. They will be adept at connecting people and organizations around a shared purpose and building strategic relationships with an ability to persuasively combine political and technical arguments. They will be methodical in driving timely delivery and able to work independently with strong strategic thinking. They will have prior work experience and a network of contacts in the shipping, ports, and/or logistics industry with an emphasis on sustainability. This is an exciting new area of work for C40, providing the opportunity for the right candidate to shape a new program that can have wide reaching impact.

The Green Ports Program Manager will be responsible for developing and delivering C40’s Green Ports strategy, working with city staff, industry experts and stakeholders, the C40 Chair’s Office, and other C40 program managers and program directors to develop an agenda for the C40 Green Ports Forum. This includes: collaborating with partners on research around city powers and areas of influence over emissions from ports and related supply chains, engaging with experts, NGOs, other port networks, collectives, and industry groups to identify collaboration opportunities and the unique contribution C40 cities can make, and assessing technologies and industry trends. The Green Ports Program Manager will also develop a collaborative forum (operated like a C40 Network) including convening a range of government, industry and community stakeholders, such as city officials that formulate policy in climate mitigation, adaptation and air quality, port-side actors working on operations and technology, progressive private sector actors driving industry change, and community-based organizations. Informed by research and city guidance, the Green Ports Program Manager will also work to secure city commitments from members of the C40 Green Ports Forum. Commitments may include reducing port-related emissions or advancing clean technology solutions through city declarations or a similar mechanism.

This is a cross-sectoral program. The Green Ports Program Manager will manage multiple work streams, which will be directed by more than one manager. Although they will be initially hosted and line-managed in C40’s Air Quality team, they will be housed in the Office of the C40 Chair in Los Angeles and need to work effectively across the organization with the Air Quality, Transportation and Urban Planning, and Energy & Buildings and Adaptation programs, as well as engage with other C40 teams and the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, particularly the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.

• Working closely with Los Angeles (lead city for C40’s Green Ports Forum), develop and deliver C40’s Green Ports strategy, including securing city commitments from members of the Green Ports Forum, and support C40 cities more broadly, taking into consideration the needs and goals of individual cities and broader best practice in the sector. This includes working with city teams, ports staff, industry experts, and others in designing a program of work for C40.
• Oversee delivery and reporting of the C40 Green Ports strategy, including briefing the C40 Management Team, C40 Chair’s office, the Mayor’s Office in Los Angeles, and funders.
• Conduct analysis to assess city powers and their relationship to multi-governance structures that influence ports and supply chains. Identify efforts of leading cities to address emissions from port related activities, reviewing current and forthcoming research, documenting the environmental and business case for action, and identifying where further research is needed.
• Engage with cities, industry experts, port authorities, and other actors to assess the levers and opportunities for cities in reducing port and supply chain related emissions and scope greatest opportunity areas to achieve emissions reductions, health and safety and socio-economic resilience across these sectors.
• Convene city officials and other relevant stakeholders in meetings, workshops, and other events and facilitate discussions.
• Engage with NGOs, networks, and programs working on the sustainability of ports and supply chains, ensuring C40’s work contributes to broader, global decarbonization goals.
• Work with the fundraising team and Program Director to grow funding for the program.
• Organise webinars and other virtual interactions for peer-to-peer best practice exchange on ports and supply chains amongst city officials, port-side actors, and industry partners.
• Manage knowledge produced by this program, including capturing information to share with cities which particularly focuses on engaging senior decision makers in cities around ports and supply chains.
• Work with cities to identify the best way to use their collective power and political clout to demonstrate and aggregate demand to help shift the market.

• Experience developing, managing and implementing strategic programs required, preferably through working in or with city governments, port authorities, consultancies, or related entities; an understanding of political priorities for city decision-makers also required.
• Prior experience working on ports and/or supply chain related sustainability issues, including prior technical work around developing solutions to the environmental impacts of ports and global goods movements. A demonstrated aptitude for quick learning to manage a portfolio spanning diverse programs or topics.
• Prior experience in convening diverse stakeholders and facilitating discussions among subject matter experts and government, industry and community leaders.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively and effectively with major global partners, such as NGOs, the corporate sector and funders.
• Knowledge of or expertise in the ports sector, and a demonstrated aptitude for quick learning to manage a program spanning diverse topics.
• Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach required.
• International experience, particularly working across different cultures, languages and time zones.
• Fluency in English; competency in other languages desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills essential, including proven ability to facilitate in- person workshops as well as virtual meetings or webinars.
• Experience in fundraising and developing, delivering and reporting on funding agreements, including contract and budget management.

Other Requirements: Applicants must already have the right to work in the United States. Some planned travel will be required as part of the role.

Location: Los Angeles preferred, other US locations considered

Gross Salary Per Annum: Competitive salary commensurate with experience

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.