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.

The Zero Emission Freight Programme (ZEF) is working alongside the existing C40 city networks (e.g. Zero Emission Vehicles, Zero Emission Areas) and projects to help cities overcome barriers to the implementation of policies and programmes to deliver zero emission freight in Green and Healthy Streets Declaration signatory cities, in line with their commitment to introduce a zero emission area by 2030 (at the latest). The programme is delivering support to cities through a variety of methods including delivery of technical assistance, knowledge products and facilitation of best practice sharing between cities.

The position of ZEF Programme Manager will lead a package of projects supporting C40 cities to accelerate the electrification and decarbonization of the freight sector in line with the Green and Healthy Streets Declaration. The position will also oversee the management of a technical assistance package for cities and the ZEF Project Officer. At its core, this role involves facilitating peer-to-peer engagement amongst cities and taking forward joint projects with cities and partner organisations. The Programme Manager needs to have a strong background in managing multiple complex and impactful projects, and managing multiple stakeholder and funder relationships.

The candidate must be passionate about working with a diverse range of cities to find practical solutions to zero emission freight challenges and climate change. They should also have regional understanding of the complexities of zero emission freight across different global regions. The Programme Manager should 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.

• Updating and implementing the strategy for zero emission freight, championing freight as a critical area for transport decarbonisation and delivering impactful communications on how cities are accelerating the transition to zero emission freight
• Manage and deliver projects from existing grant funders on zero emission freight, building upon existing successes and continuing to support cities on progress towards their ambitious goals.
• Manage a major project on zero emission freight with a high profile corporate funder to support cities to accelerate their transition to zero emission goods transportation, including overseeing the delivery of a technical assistance fund to support cities to deliver ambitious projects on zero emission freight.
• Effectively collaborate with the Zero Emission Area Taskforce to ensure cities’ zero emission area plans include appropriate strategies for managing freight
• Build and manage strong relationships with relevant partners and funders, including the delivery of advocacy efforts to influence higher-level government regulations and support on zero emission freight
• Manage a ZEF Project Officer to work together to deliver impactful engagement between Green and Healthy Streets signatory cities including workshops, webinars, conference calls, knowledge products and study tours.
• With the support of the Project Officer, ensure city actions are tracked and attributed where appropriate to C40 support.
• Advise senior colleagues within C40 and represent C40 externally to senior stakeholders on best practice for zero emission freight city policies and actions.
• Track and report to the Programme Director and funders on contracts, budgets, key performance indicators and deliverables, ensuring they are on schedule.
• Convene in-person and virtual meetings and communications of C40 cities, including developing agenda content and managing logistics, to leverage city expertise and knowledge.
• Pro-actively collaborate with colleagues in the Transport and Urban Planning team, wider City Solutions and Networks team, including the Zero Emission Vehicles Network, and across C40, including the City Finance Programme, Green Ports Forum, Air Quality Programme, Communications, Regions, Research, Events, and City Diplomacy, to effectively support cities in achieving their transport and GHG reduction goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Person Specification:

• Considerable experience in government, business, research and/or NGO sectors with a strong focus on transport and ZEF related policy and programmes.
• Knowledge of global best practices and different approaches to solve transport, zero emission vehicle and freight challenges, at the municipal and international level, required; advanced degree in relevant discipline preferred.
• Proven ability in developing, delivering and reporting on programme plans, including contract, funder and budget management.
• Experience of developing and implementing strategy required, preferably through working in or with city governments.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively and effectively with major global partners, such as NGOs, national governments, industry and academia.
• Strong problem-solving, interpersonal and strategic thinking capabilities coupled with an outcome, delivery-oriented approach required.
• International experience required, particularly working across different cultures, languages and time zones.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills essential, including proven ability to facilitate in-person workshops as well as virtual meetings or webinars.
• Fluency in English essential; fluency in another language spoken in a C40 city preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must already have the right to work in the country they are applying for. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role.

• Reporting To: Director, Transport and Urban Planning Programme
• Term: Fixed Term Contract – until 31 October 2022 (with opportunities for renewal)
• Location: UK, USA (NY), South Africa, Denmark, Colombia
• Salary: (Grade 3) £51,470/$78,100/R787,500/ DKK 533,595/COP 124,060,918
• Application Process: Closing date for applications is Friday 4 February 2022. C40 reserves the right to close this job opening before the closing date for applications so please do submit applications early.

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.