Senior Project Accountant

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 team is at the heart of the C40 organisation. It comprises: Finance, Human Resources, Contracts, Grants & Risk, Information Technology, and Operations. The team manages the non-programmatic support mechanisms of the global organisation and works collaboratively with C40 senior management and global staff.

The Climate Action Implementation Directorate within C40 supports and manages contracts and grants awarded by foundations and governmental funding sources such as UKAID, GIZ, USAID, AFD, Amazon and others . The directorate supports the development, planning, securing and management of large government funds to ensure programmes meet donor procedures and policies. The team supports Corporate Services functions in a matrix management structure with reporting lines split between Corporate Services and programmatic management.

Position Description

This is a  position created to support one of C40’s largest restricted grants through inception, delivery and close out. It is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to an ambitious, mission driven organization while collaborating with an extremely passionate, diverse, and international group of individuals. The role will join the Grant Finance team and will report to the Head of Finance - Grants, with a dotted line to the Programme Director of the Resilient Urban Futures Programme. 

The role will be based in South Africa. C40 is a US-based company with its Corporate Services department based in the US, UK, China and South Africa. C40 has an office in Sandton and this role will need to be in the office on a C40 needs-basis.

Responsibilities: 

• Gain sufficient understanding of the operational environment of C40 and the Resilient Urban Futures programme, including a strong grasp of the relationship with the funder, such that well-informed decision making of the programme leads can be made
• Reporting:
  • Accountability for all transactions recorded against each project within the financial management system
  • Manage the accuracy of the allocation of staff time to the grant without a set up finance system
  • Provide monthly, accurate financial reports to the programme leads
  • Provide variance analysis to programme leads
  • Ensure financial information is provided in whichever format, and whichever currency that is required by program leads
  • Provide high quality external reports for funders, using appropriate communication tools and analysis for the audience (i.e. quarterly and annual reports, etc.)
  • Provide ad hoc financial information as requested internally or by the donor (i.e. internal updates to the Resilient Urban Futures Steering Group, Global C40 teams, etc.)
  • Work closely with Resilient Urban Futures Corporate Services colleagues to support the annual audit, mid-term review and any financial monitoring visits.
• Forecasting:
  • Maintain an accurate, detailed forecast of project expenditure and communicate it to the relevant programme leads in internal channels.
  • Communicate financial risk as identified in the forecasts to the programme leads
  • Work closely with the legal counterpart to ensure committed project expenditure is adequately tracked
  • Work closely with the HR counterpart, and program leads, to track vacancies and forecast compensation expenditure
• Budgeting:
  • Support the programme leads to manage the budgets pro actively and solving problems collaboratively
  • Support program staff with the preparation of budgets for proposals
  • Support program staff with budgets modifications as needed
• Ensure that the internal control framework of C40 meets with the requirement of the donor, and that controls are followed at all times
• Plan and manage the project close out period
• Lead on audit preparation and be the point of contact while the audits are undertaken
• Be the finance lead for the direct implementation work in this grant in C40 cities
• The post holder may be required to plan and deliver relevant donor-specific compliance training to colleagues
• Work within a team composed of a diverse group of professionals that support a global organisation
  

Person Specification:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA).
• Experience with government  project accounting/ project management necessary.
• Experience with timesheet rollouts is necessary.
• Experience with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is valuable. 
• Ability to manage their own work planning - this role will support multiple time zones. The ability to work with those demands while staying within your allocated hours will be critical to success.
• Desire to be a part of the inception phase of a grant, setting up the financial governance systems that will ensure successful implementation.
• Strong in Microsoft Excel, able to manage and organise large volumes of financial data.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Experience of working internationally, dealing with multiple currencies
• Experience of working collaboratively with programme teams on dynamic and complex programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to present information in a way that is understandable for different audiences.
• Interest in working in the charity/not-for-profit sector and/or environmental and sustainability issues or an international organisation preferred.
• Experience in using SUN Systems / Infor Q&A and Concur (desirable).
• Additional language skills relevant to the cities included in the project (desirable).

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 Finance - Grants

Term: Fixed Term Contract  until March 2030

Location: Johannesburg, SA -  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) ZAR 1,036,800 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:

Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 18th July 2025 at 5pm 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.

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