Head of Energy Strategy and Implementation

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.

Position Description

Shifting energy supply to a lower carbon trajectory and ultimately decarbonising the energy system will be critical to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Head of Energy Strategy and implementation will serve as the primary technical expert on energy at C40 and will help cities deliver climate action in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, specifically through initiatives to i) increase low carbon electricity supply as part of the global grid decarbonisation required by 2035, ii) decarbonise heating and cooling as part of the global energy system decarbonisation required by 2050 and iii) test innovative approaches to accelerate the transition to clean, smart and digitised energy systems of the future (i.e. 24/7 Carbon Free Energy, demand side response, grid-flexible buildings etc).

They will also work with the Climate Action Implementation Programme (including Cities Finance Facility) to support the design and delivery of energy programmes and policies in C40 cities. The Head of Energy Strategy and Implementation will also oversee regional programs that focus on the just transition to clean, sustainable, and affordable energy.

The Head of Energy Strategy and Implementation will also engage across all C40 research products and data analysis relating to energy. The ideal candidate will have significant experience working directly with cities on the development and delivery of incentives and regulations to decarbonise energy supply. The candidate’s technical expertise will be combined with strategy development, project management, analytics, and communication skills.

In addition, they will manage the work of the Clean Energy Network (CEN) which supports cities plan and implement ambitious low carbon energy programmes through facilitating peer-to-peer support and providing tailored technical assistance through dedicated programs. They will be assisted by the Renewable Energy Declaration Manager, who drives forward the implementation of the C40 Renewable Energy Accelerator launched in September 2021.

The Head of Energy Strategy and Implementation will 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. They will join a team of dynamic C40 staff and will be connected to leading cities around the world. They will be passionate about working with a diverse range of cities to find practical solutions to climate change, particularly around clean energy and will work with the cities to highlight their important role in the clean energy transition.

Responsibilities:

• Act as the main technical expert on issues related with electricity and energy decarbonisation also supporting the mission of helping the world to get off fossil fuels.
• Deliver regional programs focused on the just transition to clean, sustainable and affordable energy, which will require budget management, reporting and programme planning.
• Provide advisory support to the C40 UCAP program on energy related priority actions.
• Deliver the strategy for the Clean Energy Network.
• Line manage one Declaration Manager to proactively support cities implement the commitments of the Renewable Energy Accelerator through the Energy & Buildings networks and other C40 activities and assistance.
• Line manage 2 regional energy experts in Africa, whose responsibility is the delivery of programs for accelerating the deployment of renewable energy systems in South Africa.
• Advise senior colleagues within C40 and represent C40 on clean energy policy in cities externally to senior stakeholders.
• Track and report to C40 senior management and funders on budgets, key performance indicators, milestones and deliverables, ensuring they are on schedule.
• Convene in-person and virtual meetings and communications for C40 cities, including developing agenda content and managing logistics, to leverage city expertise and knowledge.
• Manage several external partnerships with leading institutions on clean energy around the world to support the delivery of city commitments on clean energy.
• Lead on fundraising activities to expand support to cities of the Clean Energy Network and the signatories of the Renewable Energy Accelerator.
• Pro-actively collaborate with colleagues in the Climate Solutions and Networks team and in C40, including Climate Action Implementation, Research and Knowledge Management, Regions, City Diplomacy, Business Engagement, Inclusive Climate Action, Finance and Communications and Events teams.
• Other duties as assigned.

Person Specification:

• Experience of developing and/or implementing urban clean energy policies, programs or projects, e..g. related to deployment of building scale and large-scale renewables, decarbonising heat supply, preferably across multiple cities.
• Knowledge of global best practices and different approaches to decarbonizing energy systems and promoting clean energy generation, and on how cities can play a more active role in the energy transition and influence the energy supply at local and national scales, required.
• Ability to work cross-team for the delivery of advocacy work in line with C40’s mission on helping the world to get off fossil fuels.
• Proven ability in developing, delivering and reporting on programme plans, including contract and budget management.
• Experience in managing large contracts and ensuring the timely submission of project deliverables by project teams.
• Experience of developing and implementing policy and 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, the corporate sector, funders and multilateral development banks.
• Fluency in English essential; fluency in another language spoken in a C40 city strongly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills essential, including proven ability to facilitate in-person workshops as well as virtual meetings or webinars.
• 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.

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, Energy and Buildings

Term: Indefinite

Location: Athens, Johannesburg, London

Salary: (Grade 2) Athens EUR 69,012, Johannesburg ZAR 1,358,208, London GBP £75,419 (gross per annum)

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is Friday 15th November at 5pm 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 [email protected]. 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.