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.

Led by C40 Cities (C40) and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), the Zero Emission Bus Rapid-deployment Accelerator (ZEBRA) project will support all C40 cities and initially intends to work with Medellin, São Paulo and Mexico City in their efforts to plan, finance, and deploy electric bus fleets. Other partners include the World Resources Institute and Centro Mario Molina-Chile, who have been supporting Santiago’s current procurement program for electric buses, and the project will also leverage lessons learned from this process as part of its contribution to this new partnership. The Inter-American Development Bank will also join as a partner.

Over the next two years, the ZEBRA partnership seeks to secure commitments from major bus and engine manufacturers to support the growth of electric buses in Latin America through collaboration with cities on vehicle specifications, charging strategies, pilot projects, financing and other steps necessary for fleet-wide deployment of zero emission buses. In addition, it will seek regional financial institutions to commit USD 1 billion in available financing to replace older diesel buses with electric bus purchases.

The role of the Project Officer will work closely with the Programme Manager, and across relevant teams in C40 (including the Transport and Urban Planning Team, the Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative, the City Finance Facility and the regions team) and the partner organisations to deliver the outcomes for the project. The main focus of the role will be to coordinate Workstream 3: Share best practices for bus electrification in Latin America. We will work with partners and cities to share best practices with the rest of the region, including case studies from cities and sharing the challenges cities face. Topics are likely to include best practices for bidding or procurement processes; how to secure bus trials; performance specifications for new technology buses; vehicle and technology costs; how to secure financing; new business models to adapt fleet procurement to zero emission technology; and how to develop a fleet-wide electrification strategy. The role will also lead on the coordination of the regional working group and regional event.

• Coordinate the quarterly ZEBRA regional best practice meetings with multiple cities and stakeholders from different countries and languages.
• Organize the showcase ZEBRA event in the region.
• Lead with ZEV network and other C40 teams on dissemination.
• Organize a ZEBRA working group for all C40 cities in Latin America, with meetings (virtual or in-person) held quarterly; define an ongoing research agenda; include speakers on new research and best practices, and include a discussion period to shape future topics.
• Work with further Latin American cities to participate in knowledge sharing activities.
• Organize a showcase event in the region to update on partnership activities and facilitate networking among suppliers, operators, financing institutions, city authorities, and NGO stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Global Initiatives, City Finance, and Regions teams to effectively support their zero emission bus goals.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject.
• Knowledge of transport and zero emission bus practices and challenges, at the municipal and international level.
• Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach required.
• Expertise and interest in facilitation of in-person workshops as well as virtual meetings or webinars;
• International experience, particularly working across different cultures, languages and time zones.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in English, Spanish and Portuguese is required.
• Applicants must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.

£34,136 per annum

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.