Senior Program Associate for CCFLA Local Hub in Brazil

About CPI

With deep expertise in finance and policy, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) is an analysis and advisory organization that works to improve the most important energy and land use practices around the world. Our mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change. CPI has six offices around the world, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In Brazil, CPI is part of PUC-Rio. CPI/PUC-Rio supports public policies in Brazil through evidence-based research and strategic partnerships with members of the government and civil society.

 

About the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance

Trillions of dollars will be required to help cities build the low-emissions, resilient infrastructure necessary to combat and react to climate change. Dramatic changes in the global economic and political landscape, demand new approaches to urban development and the climate transition. There is a clear demand for coordinated work across the entire urban climate finance value chain to accelerate cities’ climate transition and facilitate their access to climate investment.

Positioned as the driving force behind these much-needed coordination efforts, Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA) is the main multi-level and multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at closing the investment gap for urban subnational climate projects and infrastructure worldwide. CCFLA was launched at the United Nations Secretary General’s Climate Summit in September 2014 and renewed at the United Nations Secretary General’s Climate Summit in September 2019, when the Secretariat was handed over to CPI.

Today, CCFLA has 86 Members committed to deploying finance for city-level climate action at scale by 2030. Its Members represent many of the world’s largest city and subnational networks, major public and private financial institutions, governments, and international organizations.

CCFLA engages its Members in knowledge, collaboration, and advocacy activities aiming to help close the urban climate finance gap. More specifically:

• Knowledge: CCFLA produces practical knowledge products that can help Members advance solutions to close the urban climate finance gap.
• Collaboration: CCFLA fosters connections and cooperation among Members engaged in scaling investments in urban climate infrastructure.
• Advocacy: CCFLA uses its expertise to inform international discussions and amplify messages from our members on the main climate forums.

 

Position summary

In 2023, CCFLA launched its Local Hubs Program. The program aims to utilize CCFLA’s global membership network and climate finance expertise to support place-based solutions to urban climate investment barriers in various countries and regions. The first Hub, launched in 2023, was established in Central Asia and focuses on net zero carbon buildings. The second Hub will be launched in Brazil in 2024 and will not have a sectoral focus.

More specifically, CCFLA Local Hubs aim to replicate CCFLA Global activities, applying them to the local context. This includes:

• Facilitating collaboration and concrete partnerships between CCFLA members and key local stakeholders.
• Developing localized knowledge products to help CCFLA members develop joint solutions to increase urban climate investments.
• Organizing and participating in local events to raise the profile of urban climate finance discussions in the local context.

The Local Hubs represent the next step of CCFLA’s effort in providing localized solutions to urban climate investment challenges. CPI is actively seeking a dynamic, proactive leader with strong organizational skills and motivation to spearhead the implementation of the Hub in Brazil. This individual will serve as a pivotal bridge, connecting urban climate finance discussions within the country to CCFLA global efforts to close the urban climate finance gap while operating with minimal supervision.

 

Primary duties and responsibilities

You will be responsible for structuring and implementing the CCFLA Brazil Hub, the second Hub of CCFLA’s Local Hubs Program. The Hub aims to mobilize CCFLA members active in Brazil to address challenges preventing urban climate investments in the country. Your activities will include:

1. Defining the strategy and value proposition of the CCFLA Brazil Hub in coordination with CCFLA Secretariat and CCFLA members active in the country;
2. Organizing and running regular coordinating meetings with CCFLA members and strategic local stakeholders;
3. Conducting research and interviews to understand CCFLA members’ and key local stakeholders’ activities and priorities in the country and contrast them with Brazil’s primary needs and opportunities for urban climate investments.
4. Preparing a report consolidating the results from research and interviews​.
5. Hosting workshops and events to engage members, implement activities, and launch Hub deliverables.
6. Coordinating additional research aiming to address barriers to urban climate investments in Brazil.

In addition, you will serve as the main contact point between CPI Brazil and the CCFLA team. The position reports to a CCFLA Senior Program Associate from the London office.

 

Qualifications & experience

• Commitment to CPI’s mission and values.
• BA or BS degree required with coursework in either finance, economics, policy, urban planning or related fields. MA or MSc desirable.
• Passion and knowledge of urban policy environment, finance, or climate finance issues.
• Previous professional experience in project management and stakeholder engagement.
• Advanced user of MS Office suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Fluent English and Portuguese written and verbal communication skills. Other language skills are desirable.
• Academic or professional experience in developing economies is highly desirable.

 

Competencies & personal attributes

• You are committed to CPI’s mission and values.
• You’re proactive and a fast learner.
• You are an excellent communicator, both written and verbal.
• You are extremely organized, capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities and can manage your workload efficiently.
• You are detail-oriented and take pride in every task you deliver.
• You can communicate and manage politically sensitive matters strategically and diplomatically.
• You are self-motivated and capable of working independently.

 

Compensation and location

CPI is hiring for one full-time position, open immediately. The position is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. CPI has adopted hybrid working (2 days in the office per week) whereby staff are able to work a mix of remote and in the office. Occasional regional travel may be required.  CPI in Brazil hires through the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and offers competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience. The candidate must have the right to work in Brazil.

 

To apply

Please click the apply link at the top of the page with your CV/resume no longer than 2 pages and respond to our 4 key questions about why you want to work with CPI and how your skills and experience align with the above requirements.  No cover letter needed.

 

4 Key Questions

• Why do you want to work on urban climate finance and policy in general and at CCFLA in particular? What do you hope to get out of this position? (200 words)
• Summarize your experience in policy, economic, or financial analysis, including in the areas of urban climate and international development policy. Describe the projects you were involved in, your role and the outcomes. (200 words)
• Tell us about a time when you had to lead the development of the strategy and implementation of a program or project. Describe the projects you were involved in, your role and the outcomes. (200 words)
• Anything else we should know about your application? (Optional, 200 words)

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Please add [email protected] to your contact list to ensure delivery of all correspondence from us.

 

Applications deadline

Sunday, April 28th BST EOD. We recommend applying early, as we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis.

 

CPI Commitment

Climate Policy Initiative is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we are working to embed DEI across every facet of our organization. We seek to establish a working environment where all board members, staff, volunteers, and contractors feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias. We want to create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are openly valued as critical to the success of our organization and the achievement of our mission and vision.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. We will then work with you to identify the best way to assist you through the recruitment process.