Internships

Become a Paid Urban Nature Intern at C40 Cities: Apply Now!

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.

Department Description

C40’s Climate Solutions and Networks (CSN) team oversees six program areas focused on priority climate action sectors and interventions: Energy and Buildings; Transportation; Urban Planning; Food and Waste; Air Quality; and Climate Resilience. Under these program areas, CSN operates 16 different networks that facilitate city-to-city best practice sharing on specific climate action areas, such as clean energy or zero emission vehicles. The networks help cities replicate, improve and accelerate climate action to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

These city-only working groups provide for honest knowledge and experience exchange, enabling cities to tap into the global expertise of their peers as well as connect with technical partners. Through networks, cities find opportunities to undertake joint projects in areas of mutual interest and benefit. C40 networks also amplify individual city solutions by providing a global platform for showcasing city success. The result is that cities’ climate actions to reduce GHGs, air pollutants and climate risks are bolder, fairer, and more impactful than if they were to go it alone.

A number of these programs and networks also offer direct support to cities through technical assistance projects, training, tools, and resources, often in conjunction with other C40 teams and programs. The CSN team also supports cities to deliver on the mayoral commitments made through C40’s accelerators including, but not limited to, the Urban Nature Accelerator and the Water Safe Cities Accelerator, among others. The C40 accelerators are statements of political leadership, giving cities an opportunity to show leadership globally and locally.

Position Description

The Urban Nature Intern will work closely with the Adaptation team members supporting work around the Urban Nature Accelerator. The role will take on tasks related to implementing the Urban Nature Strategy, developing a knowledge repository on the topic, researching opportunities for engagement with partners, developing case studies and resources, and supporting the delivery of webinars and workshops, as well as analysis of reported city action.

The post holder will be a dynamic, motivated self-starter. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment and have exceptional organisational, analytical and attention to detail skills.

The successful candidate, working a 40-hour week, will have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding in a range of subject areas related to climate adaptation, gaining valuable experience working with international colleagues in a fast-paced and exciting global organisation.

Responsibilities: 

  • Supporting planning, delivery, closure and reporting of specific activities such as webinars, workshops, study tours and events, including Salesforce tracking
  • Conducting biodiversity and urban nature research tasks, such as trend tracking, stakeholder mapping, case studies, etc, to highlight cities’ best practices and identify opportunities for collaboration
  • Assisting with the preparation of quarterly newsletters, as well as presentations for internal and external audiences
  • Keeping an updated tracking system with documents produced by cities that are relevant to the accelerator (including but not limited to biodiversity guidelines, resilience strategies, etc.)
  • Compiling and organising all documents produced by C40 related to nature, including outcome reports of webinars, workshops and learning labs
  • Supporting other team members in the engagement with partner organisations through meeting preparation, coordination and follow up.
  • Supporting ad-hoc tasks across the Resilience team as needed

Person Specification:

  • Knowledge of environmental planning or management, urban sustainability, urban heat, biodiversity or equivalent experience.
  • Understanding of knowledge management and research.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills. Being fluent in English is essential; working knowledge of Spanish and/or Portuguese is a plus.
  • Good problem-solving, strategic thinking and analytical capabilities. 
  • Ability to manage multiple parallel tasks.
  • Superior attention to detail.
  • Passionate about learning and building a career in climate action.
  • Proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently and be part of a team.
  • Interest or experience working across different cultures, languages and time zones.

Other Requirements:

Applicants must already have the right to work in the country where they apply.

The term of this role is to start June/July to November/December 2024.

Reporting To: Senior Manager, Urban Heat


Term: Fixed Term Contract For  6 months

Location: London, New York

Salary: (Intern) London – GBP £30,209, New York – USD $40,926 per annum. 

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How to Apply

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 7th May 2024 at 5.00pm BST. 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]

C40 is an equal opportunities employer.

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