Climate Action Leadership: A Call for Equity and Inclusion
C40 Cities is on a mission to revolutionize climate action, and they need your help! They are seeking a seasoned professional to take on the role of Senior Manager, Inclusive Climate Action (ICA) for Africa, a remote position based in Kenya.
C40 Cities is a powerful network of almost 100 mayors from major cities worldwide, united in their commitment to tackle the climate crisis head-on. Their goal? To limit global heating to 1.5°C through collaborative, science-based, and people-centric strategies. With over 400 employees across the globe, C40 is dedicated to creating healthier, more equitable, and resilient urban environments.
But here's where it gets exciting: The ICA Programme is rooted in the belief that climate justice and social justice are two sides of the same coin. This initiative empowers cities to create climate policies that tackle structural inequalities while achieving mitigation, adaptation, and resilience goals. And this is the part most people miss—it's not just about the environment; it's about people and communities.
The Role
As the Senior Manager, you'll be the champion of equity and inclusion within C40's Resilient Urban Futures Programme in Africa. Your leadership will ensure that climate adaptation efforts are not only effective but also fair and community-driven, aligning with just transition principles. You'll work closely with city officials, C40 teams, consultants, and partners to integrate inclusive climate action into city plans and processes.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership:
- Guide African cities in executing crucial climate adaptation actions from their Climate Action Plans.
- Embed equity and inclusivity in adaptation policies, ensuring they are accessible and beneficial to all.
- Offer technical insights for climate risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and adaptation planning, considering socio-economic factors.
- Design and manage technical assistance projects for impactful, inclusive adaptation solutions.
- Facilitate capacity-building workshops, training, and peer learning.
- Serve as a policy expert on ICA themes like just transition, gender equity, informality, loss and damage, green jobs, and disability inclusion.
Coordination and Management:
- Oversee ICA activities within the Resilient Urban Futures programme, aligning with C40's global vision.
- Create annual work plans, monitor KPIs, and showcase programme impact to funders and partners.
- Integrate ICA principles across various programme areas by collaborating with internal teams.
- Identify pilot projects that foster inclusive city governance and community engagement in adaptation.
- Share learnings and promote knowledge exchange among cities within C40 networks.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Forge strategic partnerships with city governments, civil society, community groups, and private sector entities.
- Bring together diverse stakeholders to promote inclusive climate adaptation agendas.
- Assist mayors in advocating for just transition and climate justice through policy analysis and advice.
- Participate in regional and global forums to share best practices and strengthen collaborations.
Organisational Support:
- Assist the ICA Deputy Director and Programme Director with reporting, donor relations, and partnership building.
- Contribute to C40's overall strategy, business plan, leadership standards, and performance indicators.
- Take on additional tasks to further equitable urban climate action.
The Ideal Candidate
C40 is looking for someone with:
- A proven track record of working with African municipal governments on climate action, adaptation, or resilience projects.
- Profound knowledge of African climate contexts and equity debates, especially regarding just transitions.
- Skill in translating technical climate data into actionable policy, planning, or investment decisions.
- Mastery of participatory and inclusive stakeholder engagement methods.
- Exceptional project management, organizational, and communication abilities.
- The capacity to work independently while collaborating effectively across diverse teams and cultures.
- Fluency in English and the relevant local language, with the legal right to work in Kenya and a willingness to travel occasionally.
Application Details
- Deadline: 26 January 2026, 2:00 pm GMT. Apply early, as C40 may close the role sooner.
- Submit your CV and cover letter in English through the C40 website.
- Interviews will be conducted in English.
C40 values diversity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Are you ready to make a difference in the fight against climate change? Apply now and be part of a global movement for a sustainable future!
Note: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring entity. Please direct inquiries to the responsible organization. Do not send applications to GSO, as they cannot be processed.
