Head of Knowledge Management

~ The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, now in its 13th year, connects more than 95 of the world’s greatest cities which have committed to tackling climate change. ~

We bring mayors from around the world together to learn from each other in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating resilient, sustainable and low carbon cities. C40 cities represent more than 700 million urban citizens and their economies account for 25% of global GDP. Our recent ‘Deadline 2020’ report sets out the critical role that the world’s major cities have to play in delivering the historic Paris Agreement to prevent catastrophic climate change.

C40’s growing team of 150+ staff is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, Beijing and Paris, and individual staff based across 25+ different locations. C40 has an operating budget of c.$25m per year and is primarily funded through the generous support of philanthropic foundations.

The strategic direction of the organization is determined by an elected Steering Committee of C40 mayors, which is chaired by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo. Three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board of Directors, which is responsible for operational oversight. An seven person management team, led by Executive Director, Mark Watts, leads the day-to-day management of C40.

Position Description

The Head of Knowledge Management is responsible for overseeing C40’s overall approach to the collection, analysis and dissemination of knowledge. A key aspect of this role is to support knowledge transfer to non-C40 cities to enable them to grow their capacity to deliver on the ground, especially through C40’s Knowledge Hub (in-development), Data Visualization platforms, and the C40 University (planned). The Head of Knowledge Management helps C40 expand the use of technology and data analysis to improve city and staff access to knowledge and enhance the speed and scale of peer-to-peer connection.

This role will help position C40 as a leader in delivering innovative knowledge and training systems to cities and will support all functions of C40, in particular, the C40 Knowledge Hub, Deadline 2020 Climate Action Planning Programme, the C40 University, and the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities. The team will work with the funders of these programmes and our strategic partners to deliver the knowledge products required
by cities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 4-5 people responsible for devising, implementing and maintaining C40’s knowledge management agenda.
• Manage a pipeline of knowledge products across our suite of platforms, ensuring topical diversity and consistent quality and format.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a state-of-the-art knowledge hub that will be the go to place for all global cities for information, evidence of what works, and political briefs that distill complex information on climate action. The components include:
  • A globally relevant case study/political case knowledge base, which will be continually updated with information, relying on both in-house resources and from external sources.
  • An opinion series that attracts high-profile authors to our platform.
  • A comprehensive city data warehouse that will allow for the effective analysis and distribution of our city data sets.
  • Tools and products to support cities in delivering low-carbon solutions.
  • Peer-to-Peer virtual engagement for C40 cities and for non C40 cities.
  • The C40 Inclusive Climate Action support tool.
  • City Climate Action Planning monitoring facility.
• Expand our audience and lead partnership formation to drive readership.
• Oversee pilot development of the C40 Academy and integrate with other C40 platforms.
• Lead the work to develop and expand C40s data and knowledge capability across the organization and strengthen the quality and consistency of knowledge produced, including efforts to capture data within Customer Relationship Management and related software using automation or light-touch entry.
• Increase access for decision-makers to key data dashboards and comparative tools that better capture city activity across C40 services.
• Support to Cities involved in the Deadline 2020 Programme. This includes supporting those cities in the monitoring of their Climate Action Plans and developing and implementing mechanisms to share the learnings with other cities, both within and outside of C40.
• Support knowledge sharing activities through the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities programme, led by the Governance and Partnerships team.
• Provide direct support on the priorities of individual initiatives associated with C40’s service delivery strategy/model.
• Work closely with The Deputy Executive Director and Management Team to support valuable data analysis and research to further enhance C40 City efforts to address climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• Help guide overall development of C40’s digital platforms to ensure integrated back-end structure and seamless UX for primary audiences, including C40.org, C40 Mayoral Summit site, and other related microsites.

Qualifications

Person Specification:

• Demonstrable experience in corporate, city government, or non-profit environmental research, consulting and/or engineering.
• Significant experience of delivering complex IT-based programmes in a political or complex high profile environment, including the Salesforce suite (CRM and related).
• Experience managing or coordinating knowledge platforms, especially Salesforce Communities/Salesforce Knowledge and associated products.
• Experience of working at a senior level in a complex political or business organisation to provide support, assurance and management of complex and sensitive multi-agency programmes.
• Experience of reporting techniques and professional delivery of programme management developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.
• Strong, solution-oriented understanding of how to manage large complex data sets.
• Strong management skills – able to work effectively as a member of C40’s extended internal team and external partners.
• Ability to utilize data to lead strategic discussions to help facilitate action.
• Depth of experience managing contractors and freelancers, leading procurement efforts, and negotiating contracts.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills; experience with Political Briefs or other succinct formats helpful.
• Strong English language skills required, as well as fluency in another language preferred.
• Presentation and budget management skills also beneficial.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must already have the right to work in the United States or United Kingdom.
• Moderate travel may be required as part of the role.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter.
• Closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday, 16 December 2018.
• To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter @c40cities and like us on Facebook.
• For how C40 handles your personal information, please review our Privacy Notice – Recruitment.

~ C40 is an equal opportunities employer ~