Corporate Accountability Expert (R-2603) (x/f/m)

Start date: As soon as possible. Full time – 38 hours per week.
Location: Cologne (preferred) or Berlin
Application deadline: 21 June 2026 (or until position is filled)

NewClimate Institute

NewClimate Institute focuses on climate mitigation by supporting climate action research and implementation around the world. We are a dynamic and diverse multidisciplinary team of political scientists, engineers, communication experts, business administrators, writers, natural scientists, data nerds, and much more – what unites us is the will to tackle the climate crisis. Through our policy-oriented research and capacity building we help national governments, international organisations, NGOs and other actors to develop and implement solutions to the global climate change challenge.
NewClimate Institute’s key motivation is to maximise impact, in a creative and fun working environment with a positive team spirit built on openness, trust, and inclusiveness.

The position

NewClimate Institute is seeking a corporate accountability expert with at least five years of work experience. You will join a team that engages with standard setting processes, evaluates corporate climate ambition, develops new approaches for corporate climate responsibility and tracks emerging trends in corporate climate action. Through our flagship project, the Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor, and related projects, we assess the integrity of corporate climate pledges and identify both good practice and areas where commitments fall short. As part of this work, we regularly engage with corporate climate accountability initiatives, companies, civil society organisations and philanthropic organisations.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Engaging with processes for the development of corporate climate standards;
• Strategic thinking on protecting and enhancing the integrity of corporate climate action;
• Conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis on the transparency, integrity and ambition of corporate climate action,
• Leading and contributing to research reports and other formats like policy briefings or blogposts,
• Managing medium and larger-sized projects,
• Creating and maintaining networks, and
• Discussing findings and perspectives on developments in internal and external fora.

Candidate profile
You should be highly motivated with a strong interest in corporate climate accountability and sector transformation.

We are looking for somebody who is:

• Motivated to work for a forward thinking, evolving, non-profit organisation in a dynamic, impact-oriented team-work atmosphere
• Interested to be part of a multi-disciplinary, international team
• Self-sufficient, independent and eager to learn
• Keen and able to apply their knowledge to other content areas and learn about new topics
• Flexible and interested to travel within Germany and internationally

Requirement qualifications for this position are:

• At least five years of work experience in the field of climate change policy, with exposure to corporate climate accountability, corporate disclosure, or corporate climate strategy assessment. We also welcome applications from candidates with significant more work experience.
• Master level university degree or equivalent in a related field (e.g. environmental sciences, physics, engineering, economics or political sciences)
• Experience managing projects and teams, with a high degree of cultural sensitivity
• Ability to build and maintain strategic relations with government institutions, philanthropic organisations, companies, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders working on corporate climate accountability.
• Excellent analytical, writing, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to express ideas succinctly both verbally and in writing
• Full proficiency in English.

Preferred qualifications are:

• Knowledge of mitigation options across key sectors (e.g. energy systems, buildings, transport, industry, forestry, agriculture, chemicals),
• Knowledge of or experience with corporate climate accountability frameworks, such as the SBTi, Greenhouse Protocol and relevant ISO standards,
• Experience with grant writing and funder relationships
• Proficiency in other languages
• NewClimate Institute draws strength from its diverse team. We welcome applications regardless of a candidate’s ethnic and social origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, care responsibilities or age. We particularly encourage applicants from the Global South.

What we offer

• An unlimited employment contract
• A competitive salary package, including a monthly gross salary in the range of 4700 – 5700 €. For candidates exceeding the requirements, a higher salary range may apply.
• An impact-driven non-profit environment, that highly values trust, fairness and inclusiveness
• Limited hierarchies and friendly, committed colleagues that value team spirit
• Modern, centrally located offices in Cologne and Berlin with abundant opportunities to exchange with colleagues
• Home office up to two days per week
• Fully covered public transportation ticket (‘Deutschlandticket’)
• Attractive support for occupational pension scheme and other tax-free benefits
• Regular internal training sessions and individualised support models for external training courses
• 30 days of paid vacation

Application procedure

If you are interested, we look forward to receiving your application.
Please submit one single PDF file (maximum 10 MB) containing the following documents:

1. CV without a photograph
2. Motivation letter (human intelligence based!)
3. A vision (max. 1 page) on how you see the field of corporate climate accountability evolving of the next years and how NewClimate Institute can further support shaping these developments
4. University transcripts, references or recommendation letters

Please send your application to [email protected] and include the reference number “ R-2603” in the email subject line. We may request reference contacts later in the process.
The first round of online interviews will take place on 29 and 30 June, and the second round (in-person in Cologne or Berlin) will be held during the week of 13–17 July. Candidates invited to the second round will be asked to complete an exercise; further details will be provided at that stage.