Expert, Circular Economy

FEATURED JOB Full Time

Expert, Circular Economy

Berlin, Germany

Position closing date: December 31, 2025

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Start date: 01 March 2026

Duration: 24 months (extension intended)
Deadline for application: 31 December 2025
Location: Freiburg or Berlin, Germany
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

• Deepen your understanding of how local governments can help facilitate the transition to a circular economy, and thereby contribute to our wider goals of creating sustainable, climate neutral, and resilient cities, to the benefit of all in society;
• Work with leading urban researchers, politicians and practitioners on European innovation projects, to provide solutions for today's urban challenges;
• Be part of an internationally recognised organisation that inspires, supports and critically evaluates new trends in (co-)creating sustainable, climate neutral and resilient cities;
• 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 Circular Economy team with the following experience, skills and character:

• A degree in a relevant subject such as environmental sciences, natural sciences, natural resource management, engineering, public management, finance, financial management and business administration, economics, planning, local development, social sciences or any other relevant fields;
• A minimum of 3 years' relevant work experience, working with or in the public sector, a relevant field such as urban waste management, regional economic development, business support, urban planning, bio-waste and the bioeconomy;
• A good understanding of the concept of circular economy, and the roles that local government can play in facilitating and enabling the circular transition;
• Experience of working in or managing projects;
• Ability to be well organised, prioritise tasks and produce good quality work;
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of external organisations;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including confidence in speaking in public, and a very good command of English (reading, writing and speaking);

Desirable

• Detailed knowledge in one or more of the following fields:

• Local waste management processes and regulations,

• Public and private financing schemes for circular businesses,
• Circular construction,
• Bioeconomy,

• Other relevant material streams,

• Experience in providing consultancy services to private or public clients on topics related to circular economy;

• Experience in group facilitation, co-creation and stakeholder engagement processes and techniques;
• Knowledge of the European policy and regulatory environment in relation to the circular economy;
• Experience in impact assessment methods such as Material Flow Analysis, Life-Cycle- Assessment or Environmentally Extended Input-Output Analysis;
• Additional European language(s).

Your Position Will Include The Following Main Tasks

• Support ICLEI's activities within specific European projects focused on circular economy in cities, including taking responsibility for defined tasks and work packages, and potentially co-ordinating the ICLEI team members involved;
• Provide capacity building and advisory support to local governments in the field of circular economy;
• Undertake research and develop publications targeted at local policy makers, including reports, guidance, policy briefs and case studies;
• Design and facilitate virtual, hybrid and in-person workshops, communities of practice and meetings that encourage people to participate, learn and network;
• Identify funding opportunities and write project proposals;
• Represent ICLEI at events and undertake

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 200 – per annum);
• Place of work: Freiburg or Berlin, 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

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: 31 December 2025

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

Please note that we review applications continuously upon receipt and early submissions are encouraged. For more information about ICLEI Europe visit:

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.