Start date: 1 January 2027

Duration: 2 years (with view to extension)

Pensum: 60 – 100%

Location: Freiburg, Germany

Deadline for application: 15 November 2026

Do you want to contribute to making our cities better places to live?

ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network working with more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.

ICLEI‘s European Secretariat is based in Freiburg (Germany), with specialised offices in Brussels and Berlin. ICLEI Europe has more than 180 staff from all over Europe and beyond, covering a broad variety of professional disciplines and expertise.

Working with us, you will have opportunities to:

• Be part of an internationally recognised organization that inspires, supports and critically evaluates new trends in (co-)creating sustainable, climate neutral and resilient cities;
• Deepen your understanding of how cities design and implement sustainability and climate neutrality policies, what kind of challenges they face and how best to support them;
• Be part of, and attend, a diverse and exciting slate of global and European events and move forward the dialogue on sustainable cities;
• Contribute to European and international processes that influence urban policies, such as the EU Mission ‘100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities’, the EU Green Deal, the New European Bauhaus, the UN SDGs, etc.;
• Grow professionally in a flexible, family-friendly work environment with opportunities for professional development, European travel, and cultural exchange.

Responsibilities

Your job description will include the following main tasks:

• Support day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable and receivable and general ledger entries;
• Support invoice processing and data entry;
• Support audit preparation, e.g. by gathering documents and organising records, under guidance;
• Assist with project-based and grant accounting tasks;
• Assist with payroll-related activities;
• Process travel expenses for domestic and international trips.

Qualifications

We are looking for a person that meets the following criteria:

• Completed commercial/vocational training (e.g. Ausbildung zum/zur Kaufmann/-frau für Büromanagement or similar), or currently completing or having recently completed a degree in accounting, finance, business administration or economics;
• Basic understanding of accounting principles; familiarity with HGB is a plus;
• Comfortable using MS Office, especially Excel, and willing to learn accounting software;
• General interest in or basic awareness of non-profit structures and Gemeinnützigkeitsrecht;
• Interest in project-based/grant accounting and donor reporting;
• Precise, reliable and organised approach to work;
• Good teamwork and communication skills, including in an international environment;
• Fluent German and good English skills.

Benefits

We offer you the following conditions:  

• An initial 24-month contract with potential for extension;
• Gross salary according to the Junior Officer position in ICLEI’s salary grid (indicative range: EUR 41,712 – 44,316 per annum);
• Place of work: Freiburg, Germany;
• 40-hour working week (60–100% working arrangement possible) with flexible working hours and the possibility to work up to 50% remotely;
• 6 weeks of paid annual leave;
• English as the working language.

ICLEI Europe’s Equal Opportunity and Employment Policy

ICLEI Europe’s hiring policy is geared to ensure that the organisation hires employees without regard to their colour, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, socio-economic background or sexual orientation. ICLEI’s policy is that applicants for employment and career progression are considered solely based on their qualifications and competencies.

Please note that applicants must – due to legal reasons – hold EU citizenship or valid EU residence permit and a valid German work permit. Applications not meeting these conditions can unfortunately not be considered.