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 150 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 a growing, internationally recognised organisation that inspires, supports and

critically evaluates new trends in (co-)creating sustainable, climate neutral and resilient cities and regions;

• Deepen your understanding of how cities and regions design and implement sustainability and energy policies, what kind of challenges they face and how best to support them;

• Contribute to European and international processes that influence urban and regional policies, such as the EU Green Deal, the EU Missions, the Covenant of Mayors, EU Coal Regions in Transition initiative, Just Transition Platform, and others;

• Grow professionally in a flexible, family-friendly work environment with opportunities for

personal development, European travel, and professional cultural exchange.

We are looking for a new colleague to join our Sustainable Energy Systems team with the following experience, skills and character:

Essential:

• Good understanding of and practical experience with the planning, implementation and transformation of energy and carbon-intensive infrastructure (including climate change mitigation and adaptation aspects, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, sector coupling, repurposing, smart grids, industrial symbiosis etc.). At least two years in a similar position;
• Academic degree in a relevant field (electric, energy, environmental, industrial engineering, etc.);
• Proven skills in implementation of projects and/or consulting services, high communicative competence (orally and in writing), strong writing, presentation and illustrating skills, confidence in communicating with partners from different backgrounds and cultures;
• Team player, pro-active working style, ability to work self-organised within a complex working environment; 
• Experience in developing and implementing training and capacity development activities (particularly for public authorities, energy stakeholders and economic and social actors); 
• Excellent command of English and at least one further European language (orally, read and in writing).

Desirable:

• Experience related to the use of EU funding instruments (Just Transition Mechanism, Structural Funds, ELENA, JASPERS etc.); 
• Experience in the development and implementation of Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans, Territorial Just Transition Plans, Smart Specialisation Strategies or similar; 
• Knowledge on public-private partnership constellations for infrastructure investments; 
• Well-networked in the “Just Transition” community on a national and/or European level;
• Solid knowledge and understanding of EU policy related to the position;
• Understanding of and practical experience with local and/or regional governments;
• Expertise in urban and regional development planning processes will be an advantage;
• Excellent command in an Eastern European language (orally, read and in writing).

Your position will include the following main tasks:

• Preparation and implementation of projects in European and – if necessary - non-European countries, in particular related to ‘interoperability‘ and the transformation of carbon-intensive infrastructure systems (incl. technological and green infrastructures) and energy services in the urban and rural built environment, under supervision of the line-manager; 
• Analysis and targeted advice on sustainable energy infrastructures in correspondence with urban and regional planning and the need of an integrated energy system (sector coupling) following climate neutrality and just transition aspirations;
• Analysis and applying knowledge of infrastructure related methodologies, plans and project development and their standards, business models, financing schemes and stakeholder partnerships; 
• Development of guidelines and handbooks for the transferability and exploitation of infrastructure solutions related to energy efficiency and renewable energy, business and partnership models;
• Preparation, conduction and facilitation of training and capacity building workshops and facilitation of stakeholder dialogues related to the topical area, in particular the coal and industrial transition as well as on bio-energy and bio-economy;
• Acquisition of projects and service contracts based on current work in coordination with the line-manager.

We offer you the following conditions:

• Initial 24 months contract with high potential for extension;
• Gross salary according to the Expert position in ICLEI’s salary grid (indicative: EUR 47.000 – 51.000 per annum);
• Place of work: Freiburg/Germany;
• 40h working week with flexible working time and the possibility to work up to 50% remote;
• 6 weeks of paid leave per annum;
• Working language is English;
• Occasional travel within Europe is foreseen;
• 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.

Deadline for application: 30 April 2024

Please apply in writing, including a CV and letter of motivation to: 

jobs.europe@iclei.org

Be aware that applications are reviewed continuously upon arrival; therefore, application as soon as possible is advisable. For more information about ICLEI visit:

www.iclei-europe.org

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 race, 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.

Do not forget to mention that you found this job ad on the Euractiv Jobsite!