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.

Position Description

As a member of the C40 Central East Asia region team, the South-South Cooperation Officer will report to the South-South Cooperation Manager, supporting the program implementation and research of C40’s south-south urban climate program from the Beijing office. This position will support the climate cooperation between Chinese and African cities on transportation, bus electrification and solar development, make city level south-south climate cooperation better recognized or demonstrated as an example in supporting global climate agenda, to encourage wider peer cities and stakeholders to take real action through technical assistance and sharing of best practices from Chinese cities. This position will:

•  Work closely with the Head of South-South Cooperation and Partnership , China-Africa Cooperation transport and energy Manager  in Africa, C40 global teams and external Chinese and international stakeholders.
• Program design and implementation: support the key program deliverables such as organising study tours to Chinese and African cities and mayoral events, research on  briefings and newsletters.
• Coordination for city partnerships: promote and facilitate the partnership of Chinese and African cities and to collectively accelerate the climate implementation in the global south by filling the gaps cities are facing.  

Responsibilities:

• Partnership develops: 1) support the mapping and developing partnerships with key stakeholders and partners in China for C40’s south-south urban climate cooperation work. 2) Work internally across C40 Beijing team and global teams (such as regions, climate solutions network, city diplomacy, communication team) to explore and build synergies between C40’s global priorities and south-south cooperation working scope, to create and maintain collective effort.
• Program design and implementation: Working with Chinese partners, Chinese cities and C40 relative global teams to implement on-going programs and design new programs on south-south cooperation, to forge the program to a tangible direction that can tackle the practical challenges cities are facing when implementing their climate action plans. Organising program activities such as seminars, workshops, study tours to Chinese and African cities, including the design, preparation, organisation and logistics of the activities.
• Desk-research: collect information on Chinese cities’ renewable energy and transportation experiences and African cities’ climate related policy, priorities and cooperation demands, prepare newsletters and briefings collaboratively with external organisations, experts and C40’s internal global colleagues, to be shared with related Chinese and African ministries and cities.
• Support logistics such as dealing with vendors, processing contracts and payments et al.
• Support the manager for preparation and delivery of project documentations, including progress reports, regular updates et al.
• Support the manager for other relative partnership maintains, including but not limited to related government agencies, academic institutions, donors and NGO peers.
• Support the manager for potential fundraising opportunities relating to South-South climate cooperation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Person Specification:

• Experience in climate and environment related topics, preferably through working in or with city governments, think tanks, or related entities.
• Experience and knowledge in renewable energy and solar, transportation and e-bus is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge in south-south climate cooperation working scope is preferred, especially experience working with the African region, with practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities from both China and global south perspective.
• Proven track record of managing internal and engaging external stakeholders to influence and drive change.
• Be able to manage multi-tasks and control the timeline and can meet deadlines on time.
• International experience is preferred, particularly studying or working across different cultures, languages and time zones.
• Brilliant research skills for composing reports, summaries and news.
• Brilliant communicator with excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Other Requirements:

This position will be based in Beijing, applicants must already have the right to work in China. Moderate internal and international travel may be required as part of the role.

Reporting To: South-South Cooperation Manager, C40 China

Term: Fixed Term until 30th September 2025 (The appointment and the duration of the role are subject to the final approval of funding)

Location: Beijing

Salary:   (Grade 5) CNY 273,756  (gross per annum)

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter on our website via this link： https://c40.bamboohr.com/careers/586 here or  to this email address careers@c40.org. Closing date for applications is Friday 1st November at 5.00pm GMT. 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.