Expert: Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions

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 an internationally recognised organisation that inspires, supports and critically evaluates new trends in (co-)creating sustainable urban systems;
• Work with leading urban researchers, politicians and practitioners on European innovation projects, to upscale and mainstream nature-based solutions to tackle the planetary crises including climate change and biodiversity decline;
• Help design and implement solutions for local and regional governments in fostering sustainable urban development;
• Contribute to European and international processes that influence policy frameworks on fostering biodiverse urban systems through nature‑based solutions, particularly those supporting the EU’s Green Deal and Biodiversity strategies and its Nature Restoration Law, the UN SDGs, the Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Strategy, etc.;
• Grow professionally in a flexible, family‑friendly work environment with opportunities for professional development, European travel, and cultural exchange.

We are looking for a new colleague to join our Biodiversity and Nature‑based Solutions Team with the following experience, skills‑set and character:

• Academic degree involving environmental management, natural capital accounting, ecosystem services, environmental economics, environmental business and finance, environmental governance, urban/regional planning or management, biodiversity & NbS, green and blue infrastructure, urban ecology, climate change, landscape design and planning, forest ecology, etc.;
• At least three years of professional experience in NbS, biodiversity, urban greening, and/or environmental / nature‑positive economics;
• Project management, organisation and logistical support, communication, and teamwork with relevant institutions/organisations;

Other beneficial experience (would be a plus):

• Business development, especially for nature-based enterprises;
• Working for or with local/regional governments or other public organisations;
• Developing and implementing training and capacity development activities (particularly for and with local/ regional governments);
• Funding schemes, mechanisms, and frameworks including EU instruments (Horizon Europe, structural Funds, the former NCFF, EU Taxonomy, CSRD, etc.) and/or financing climate, NbS and biodiversity action on the ground;
• Advocacy and policy processes, especially in European or international contexts;
• Languages: Very good oral and written communication skills and proficient in English; one or more other European languages, spoken and written are an asset;
• Personality: Curious, creative, collaborative, able to work in a dynamic international environment and a proactive approach to learning and skill development.

Your position will include the following main tasks:

• Proactive involvement in the implementation of project tasks and workflows including desk research, analyses, meeting & event organisation, facilitating exchange and clustering activities, etc., in collaboration with external partners, cities and funders;
• Developing publications targeted at local policy makers, including reports, guidance, policy briefs and case studies, facilitating the dissemination of scientific evidence on sustainable financing to policymakers and key stakeholders, including representing ICLEI at events through presentations, interventions, etc.;
• Promoting and advocating for urban biodiversity, nature‑based solutions and the Nature‑Positive Economy concept targeting European and international policy processes (e.g. European Green Deal, UN SDGs, Paris Climate Agreement, Kunming‑Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, G20, Nature‑Positive Initiative);
• Developing capacity building for cities as part of the UrbanByNature Programme including formats of exchange, evaluation, and peer-learning;
• Support the development, promotion and application of ICLEI services and products underpinning the nature‑based urban development;
• Input in the acquisition of future projects and writing of project proposals.

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 50.000 – 53.000 per annum);
• Place of work: Freiburg;
• 40h working week with flexible working time and the possibility to work up to 50% remotely;
• Six weeks of paid leave per annum;
• Working language is English;
• Occasional travel within Europe is foreseen.