Funding Approval and Grants Manager

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

The C40 Corporate Services department serves as the non-programmatic support mechanism to the global organisation to ensure efficiency of day-to-day business practices.  The team works collaboratively with C40 senior management and staff in providing support and guidance in human resources, information technology, grants management, budgeting, accounting and other administrative functions in accordance with C40’s internal policies, procedures and donor regulation.

The Legal team within Corporate Services specifically focuses on governance, compliance, procurement, and grants management. The team is headed by C40’s General Counsel.

Within Legal, the Grants team supports and manages contracts and grants awarded by C40 philanthropic, government, and corporate funders. The team supports the planning, contracting and management of restricted funds to ensure they meet C40, funder, and statutory requirements and works collaboratively with teams and departments across the organisation.

Position Description

This position is an opportunity to contribute to an ambitious, mission driven organisation while collaborating with a passionate and diverse group of individuals.

Reporting to the Head of Grants and working with the rest of the Grants team, the Funding Approval and Grants Manager will be responsible for managing the funding development and approval function for C40’s opportunities for a wide range of thematic areas and funders.

This will be done in coordination with C40’s Funding Development Board (FDB), an internal decision-making body composed of senior department representatives that reviews and approves proposals ahead of submission to funders.

The role is also expected to contribute to the team’s grant management portfolio with public, private, and corporate funders.

The role will be based in the United Kingdom. The post holder will report to a Paris-based line manager.

The role is expected to collaborate closely with the following: Head of Grants, Director of the Executive Office, Head of Finance - Grants, Funding Development Board, Grants team, Fundraising team and Programme teams across C40.

Responsibilities

• Managing C40’s internal Funding Development Board - FDB (chaired by the Head of Grants), ensuring all opportunities are submitted for approval in due time and decisions are well-documented and disseminated
• Managing the Go/No Go calls (chaired by the Head of Grants)
• Liaising with programmatic teams for their submissions to FDB and Go/No Go and supporting them in ensuring they meet relevant requirements and know the right approval pathways
• Completing initial review of funder requirements for open calls, with support from Head of Grants/Grants Managers
• Liaising with Governance and Grants teams for planning and delivery of support across the whole funding and grant approval cycle
• Developing, updating, and disseminating guidance on C40’s internal funding development process
• Providing reactive and proactive support to teams on the internal funding approval process
• Strengthening and maintaining relevant internal trackers and records across different platforms (Asana, Salesforce, Google Drive)
• Managing the funding pipeline calls, bringing together colleagues from Fundraising, Governance, Grants, and Finance for review of C40’s pipeline
• Supporting in managing C40’s grant portfolio from public, private, and corporate funders
• Strengthening and maintaining internal records and CRM (i.e., Asana, Salesforce, Drive)
• Acting as initial contact point on internal funding approval in the wider organisation
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Person Specification

• Experience with funding approval and/or grant management
• Solid analytical, organisational and planning skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities and a delivery-oriented approach
• Ability to think through processes and establish systems for broad use.
• Works well independently and thrives without constant support
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven track record of working collaboratively and effectively with teams of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Have intermediate to strong skills with general office applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Google Mail (G Suite), etc.
• Experience using Salesforce or other cloud-based grant/award management software
• Experience with matrix working and interested in working on a variety of tasks and projects
• Experience with governmental funders (US, UK, EU, Germany, etc.) desirable
• Experience developing organisational effectiveness and improvement processes desirable
• Experience working with a global/international organisation desirable

Other Requirements

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

Reporting To: Head of Grants

Term: Indefinite 

Location: UK

Salary: (Grade 4) UK GBP £53,243 (gross per annum)

Application Process:

Closing date for applications is Thursday 24th October 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 careers@C40.org. 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.