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THE CITY FINANCE  PROGRAMME

The aim of C40’s City Finance Programme is to support cities to access finance for implementation of ambitious, inclusive and resilient climate actions, and promote a shift in the global finance system to accelerate climate action in cities and align with the Paris Agreement.  The programme provides support to cities through peer to peer learning, capacity development, technical assistance, campaigns and advocacy support, and engagement with finance institutions.  C40’s finance programme is currently delivered via three major programmes that sit across different teams in C40 – the first of which sits directly under their management, the others contributing to C40’s overall finance offer: (i) the Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative (FSCI), which is C40’s main finance programme for cities in the global north and south and supports cities on upstream capacity and market development, developing innovative business models and finance structures, and small-scale technical assistance; (ii) the C40 Cities Finance Facility (CFF) which supports project preparation, capacity development and knowledge sharing in the global south; and (iii) the Divest/Invest Forum which supports cities to shift away from fossil fuels towards sustainable investing.  C40 also operates regional finance programmes including the Zero emission Bus Rapid-Deployment Accelerator (ZEBRA) in Latin America. In addition, C40 has recently expanded its work on finance engagement deepening its influence in finance through a strategic hire – a part-time Principal Finance Advisor who is focused on improving access to finance for cities.

As C40 enters into the new phase of its business plan, it is essential to continue to drive and execute a strong vision for its finance programme and ensure the programme is responsive to the changing needs of member cities and able to capitalise on opportunities in the market.  There is a need to further expand the finance offer at C40 to provide support across key sectors or verticals where there are existing knowledge/resources gaps, and to enable C40 to deepen its engagement with Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), financial institutions, partners and other key players. While C40 grows its cities climate finance activity, it is critical to drive a cohesive and robust strategy across all of C40’s finance work and ensure smooth cooperation and collaboration among different teams working on the City Finance Programme and finance-related campaigns – a key deliverable for this position.  As C40 seeks to strengthen its engagement with finance actors, such engagement should be coordinated across the organisation and integrated into working relationships with partners.

ROLE PROFILE

Salary starting at: £70,040 / ZAR 1487992

The Cities Finance Director is responsible for driving the vision for C40’s City Finance Programme and executing a robust strategy, while encouraging strong collaboration between teams to produce the most impactful outcomes for cities.  The Cities Finance Director will work across C40 finance teams, campaigns and initiatives to ensure there is a robust and cohesive approach to C40’s finance work and identify and develop new activities.  The Director is expected to drive coordination and a high level coherent strategy across all C40 teams engaged in city finance work, ensure training and development needs are met, and strengthen communications and information flows between C40 teams engaged in finance

Working closely with the Managing Director and C40’s Principal Finance Advisor, the Director will:

  • define and implement new finance opportunities for cities, including new finance initiatives, mechanisms, windows or accelerators, that could be beneficial to accelerate implementation in cities and support a green and just recovery
  • support efforts to strengthen relationships with financial institutions
  • engage in finance diplomacy, campaigns, policy engagement and partnerships to drive and influence climate and infrastructure finance to meet the needs of cities

The Director will develop and pursue fundraising opportunities to enhance and expand the work of the finance programme.  Within C40 and externally, the Director is expected to represent interests of the whole of  C40 finance programme.

Partnerships and engagement with other actors is a key component of the role.  The Director  will support and  help drive the  Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCOM) work in finance.  The Director will be responsible for co-leading the work of the Finance Thematic Working Group for GCOM, undertaking key projects and new initiatives with GCOM,  and engaging in joint advocacy.  The Director will also be responsible for managing engagement with key partners including  the City Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA), Gap Fund, ICLEI, CDP, and other partnerships and initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Strategy

  • Drive a strong vision for the City Finance Programme that builds on C40’s new business plan for 2021-2024
  • Lead the development and execution of a strategy for the C40’s City Finance Programme as a whole, ensuring the programme is robust, cohesive, impactful, coordinated and meeting city needs
  • Provide strategic guidance, oversight and support to the team and support effective coordination, cohesion and collaboration across all cities finance activities within C40

Programme management and development

  • Oversee the delivery and continued development and expansion of the Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative and ZEBRA programmes (5-10 staff)
  • Identify and shape new strategic priorities and new initiatives, workstreams and opportunities that could accelerate climate action implementation and outcomes in cities
  • Take responsibility for identifying and pursuing major funding opportunities, and manage relationships with existing funders
  • Support the continued implementation of C40’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and identify unique contributions that the finance programme can bring to the strategy

Partnerships and Engagement

  • Develop and manage partnerships and collaborate with other city-based organisations and finance initiatives (eg, CCFLA) to address finance challenges in cities
  • In collaboration with C40’s Principal Finance Advisor, support efforts to strengthen relationships with financial institutions to improve access to and supply of finance for cities
  • Contribute to C40’s efforts to promote a global green new deal and green and just recovery, in particular as it relates to finance engagement and access to finance for cities
  • Collaborate with GCOM on driving its work and engagement in urban finance, and serve as co-chair for the Finance Thematic Working Group

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  • Extensive experience in government, business and/or NGO sectors with a focus on climate, finance or infrastructure, with experience working internationally required
  • Demonstrated experience in urban infrastructure finance and/or climate finance, and track record in developing, shaping, managing or delivering climate or urban infrastructure finance programmes
  • Deep understanding of trends, opportunities, developments in climate or municipal finance landscape
  • Strong ability and natural inclination to work collaboratively across teams and in a matrix-environment, including leading teams in matrix management
  • Excellent communication, networking and inter-personal skills, and experience in public speaking and representing organisations in high level events
  • Substantial fundraising experience
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with variety of partners, often at a senior level
  • Strong demonstrated interest in climate change and/or urban development
  • Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, urban planning or related urban disciplines preferred
  • Fluency in English; additional languages preferred but not required

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.

Closing date
11:59pm Sunday 9th January 2022
Green Park Interviews
w/c 17 – w/c 31 January 2022
First Panel Interviews
w/c 21 February 2022