Project Management & Controlling Officer

Do not use the ‘Apply now’ button. Please follow the application guidelines provided in the vacancy. Applications submitted via the button will not be considered.

Start date: 01 March 2026 (or later) Duration: 24 months (extension intended)

Deadline for application: 25 January 2025

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

2.500 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;
• Work with leading urban researchers, politicians and practitioners on European innovation projects;
• Contribute to European and international processes that influence urban policies and financing schemes, such as the European Union’s Green Deal, the EU Mission ‘100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities’, the UN SDGs, etc.;
• 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 Financial Management and Controlling Team as Project Monitoring and Reporting Officer. The team is responsible for the day- to-day accounting and financial operations of the ICLEI European Secretariat. It is also responsible for overseeing, managing and directing all financing issues for a large number of projects, and for preparing financial reports and audits for these.

We are looking for candidates with the following experience and skills:

• Degree or professional training in Finance, Business Administration, Business Law or a related field;
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in finance and controlling, grant management, or international projects;
• Proven experience coordinating projects, ideally across multiple programmes (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, Interreg, LIFE), and familiarity with regional or local funding schemes;
• Good understanding of project management and controlling frameworks, ideally supported by a certification such as PM², PRINCE2, or CAMP;
• Experience with pre‑award proposal support, grant negotiation, and post‑award management;
• Strong analytical skills, a good grasp of figures, and precision in financial reporting;
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, proactive, creative, and forward‑thinking, and an ability to work independently and as part of an international team;
• Proficiency in MS Excel and standard office software;
• Very good command of English (written and spoken); German or other language skills are an

Your position will include the following main tasks:

• Manage project finances in collaboration with project coordinators and under the supervision of the Head of Team, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across multiple projects;
• Work in very close collaboration with other finance and controlling team members, staying aligned and up‑to‑date on procedures, reporting, and compliance requirements;
• Support cross‑functional project teams by providing guidance on eligibility, project financial status, and compliance with funder regulations;
• Collect, process, and monitor internal financial data, maintaining accurate and up‑to‑date records for all projects;
• Prepare financial reports for funders and auditors in coordination with project teams, and coordinate with external project partners to gather and process information required for financial reporting;
• Act as the key contact for project audits, preparing documentation and ensuring full compliance with funder requirements;
• Develop and maintain controlling and reporting templates, ensuring they meet the requirements of different funders and projects;
• Drive continuous improvement by bringing new ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches to financial management and project

We offer you the following conditions:

• Initial 24 months contract with intention for extension;
• Gross salary according to the Officer position in ICLEI’s salary grid (indicative: EUR 200 – 50.800 per annum for a full‑time position);
• Place of work: Freiburg/Germany;
• 40h working week with flexibility in working time and the possibility of up to 50% mobile working;
• 6 weeks of paid leave per annum;
• Working language is English;
• Occasional travel within Europe following prior mutual agreement 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.

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.