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:

• Independently handle day-to-day accounting, including accounts payable and receivable, general ledger entries and reconciliations;
• Independently review and process invoices;
• Prepare for and support annual audits, including statutory and/or donor-specific audits;
• Support payroll-related accounting and salary bookings;
• Process and review travel expenses for domestic and international trips;
• Handle project-based and grant accounting, including donor reporting requirements;
• Act as a point of contact for project teams on financial and administrative matters;
• Contribute to the optimisation of internal finance processes and controls.

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 a degree in accounting, finance, business administration or economics;
• Further qualification such as Bilanzbuchhalter/in, CPA, ACCA or similar is an advantage;
• Solid general bookkeeping and accounting knowledge, including accounts payable and receivable, general ledger and reconciliations;
• Familiarity with relevant accounting standards, particularly HGB in Germany; knowledge of IFRS is an advantage;
• Comfortable using accounting software (e.g. Sage or similar) and strong Excel skills;
• Experience preparing for and supporting annual audits, including statutory and/or donor-specific audits;
• Understanding of payroll-related accounting;
• Understanding of non-profit law (Gemeinnützigkeitsrecht in Germany) and the tax implications of non-profit status;
• Experience with project-based and grant accounting;
• 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 Officer position in ICLEI’s salary grid (indicative range: EUR 49,596 – 52,284 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.