Climate Resilience Advisor, Gauteng at C40 Cities

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. 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 two core strategic funders are Bloomberg Philanthropies 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. For how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment.
• Department Description
• The Regions and Mayoral Engagement Team is one of the most diverse teams in C40, with staff members located in every region of the globe, representing C40 and coordinating with local cities on the ground. Key objectives of the C40 Regions and Mayoral Engagement team are regionally aligned delivery (ensuring city satisfaction and that C40 remains responsive and relevant to the needs of cities); political engagement (ensuring that C40 builds strong relations with mayors, city officials and regional entities); and effective operations (ensuring data-driven regional strategies and effective processes that support organisation-wide delivery).
• Position Description
• The Climate Resilience Advisor will serve as the embedded technical and facilitation lead on adaptation, working within and across the respective municipal offices of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni to accelerate delivery of climate action, unlock barriers and strengthen institutional capacity. The role will support activities like delivering technical assistance, coordinating capacity-building efforts, amplifying city leadership and supporting equitable and inclusive adaptation projects aligned with the three cities’ Climate Action Plans (CAPs). While the role will facilitate collaboration between the city and C40 as well as among the three cities, this role is specifically dedicated to the technical delivery of adaptation-related workstreams and is not intended to be the main point of contact for all C40 activities within the cities.
• This city-based role will be key to delivering C40’s Climate Resilience programme, which aims to strengthen climate resilience in cities, focusing on challenges like coastal and urban flooding, droughts, and extreme heat whilst promoting nature-based solutions, effective land-use planning, and equitable climate adaptation. C40 aims to support cities to deliver climate action projects, enable cities to mainstream resilience within city operations and service delivery mechanisms across the city and support cities to play a leading role regionally and globally. The city-based and regional activities supported will deliver the impacts planned under the Resilient Urban Futures programme, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and potentially other related climate resilience programmes.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Responsibilities:

• Support the Cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni in their implementation of key priority adaptation actions from their CAPs, e.g. by helping them to identify and establish critical partnerships for delivery.
• Support the design and delivery of tailored technical assistance projects that advance equitable, inclusive, and high-impact adaptation interventions prioritised in city CAPs.
• Collaborate with C40 teams and consultants to mainstream adaptation across financial strategies, private sector engagement, and climate governance frameworks in cities.
• Provide technical support to the Cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni      on climate risk and vulnerability assessments, development of climate risk zones and adaptation planning, ensuring these outputs are used to inform evidence-based adaptation actions.
• Contribute to capacity building through workshops, training, and knowledge exchange to strengthen city officials’ skills in climate adaptation, equity integration, and finance mobilisation.
• Elicit learnings and best practice examples from activities and processes and provide input to ensure that this knowledge is exchanged and shared across all cities in the Resilient Urban Futures programme as well as shared across other relevant platforms for cross learning.
• Provide specific technical expertise, peer learning and knowledge sharing to C40 teams and other cities in the region as needed.      
• Collaborate with the cities to align with the requirements and objectives of the Climate Change Act, with a specific emphasis on integrating climate adaptation strategies across relevant functions.
• Ensure alignment and support with the various relevant strategic sectoral partnerships the cities currently manage e.g. Tshwane-Aarhus and Johannesburg-Copenhagen.
• Support ongoing collaboration among the three municipalities (including the Gauteng Heat Action Plan, the Resilient Kaalspruit Programme and Opportunity Plan etc.)

 Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work closely with city officials, C40 staff, and consultants to coordinate C40-supported adaptation activities and ensure these are delivered on time and meet quality standards.
• Broker strategic partnerships between cities, local governments, other spheres of government, civil society, research community, and the private sector to promote collaboration and amplify adaptation efforts.
• Influence integration of adaptation priorities into city governance structures, including budgets, planning regulations and pilot initiatives with a strong equity lens.
• Identify and participate in relevant C40 knowledge networks and fora to share lessons, scale good practices, and strengthen regional collaboration on climate adaptation. 
• Develop annual workplans, track progress against KPIs, and contribute evidence to demonstrate impact to donors and partners.
• Where relevant, provide updates to the Danish Embassy on project progress and/or alignment required, e.g. with local Strategic Sector Cooperations.  
• Undertake other related tasks as required to advance C40’s mission to advance equitable urban climate action.

Person Specification

• Proven experience working with or for municipal administrations on programmes or projects, especially relating to climate action plans or climate adaptation policies and programmes.
• Ability to convene and influence diverse stakeholders, including city leaders, community organisations, and private sector actors.
• Relevant qualifications or equivalent professional experience in climate change adaptation, resilience planning, disaster risk reduction, urban resilience, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in translating technical climate data into policy or investment decisions, e.g. through risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, infrastructure resilience, nature-based solutions, adaptation finance, and resource mobilisation will be a key consideration in this role.
• Strong project management skills with excellent organisational abilities and proven capacity to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with major global partners, including NGOs, tertiary and research institutions, the corporate sector, funders, and multilateral development banks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience facilitating workshops, webinars, and virtual or in-person meetings.
• Strong problem-solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills, exceptional attention to detail.
• Proactive self-starter, able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Experience or interest in working across diverse cultures, languages, and time zones.
• Fluency in English and a local language required.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must already have the right to work in the listed locations. Moderate travel will be required as part of the role. 
• Reporting To: Head of Implementation, Africa 
• Term: Fixed term till 30th September 2028
• Location: Gauteng, South Africa - Please note that if your right to work in one of the listed locations is not confirmed at the time of applying, C40 will be unable to proceed with your application. 
• Salary: Grade 3  R1,036,800 gross per annum - Due to its commitment to maintain equity and fairness, C40 operates on a spot salary model. This means that our employees are paid the same salary according to their grade and location. 

Application Process:

• To apply, please submit an up-to-date resume and cover letter. All submissions should be made in English. Interviews will also be conducted in English.
• The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 9th December 2025 at 5pm GMT