Hi, my name is Tom and I work as an economist in the sustainability department at the Deutsche Bundesbank.

I grew up in New Zealand, where I also started my professional career after university at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, mainly working on financial market topics. New Zealand is a small country at the bottom of the world, and after a few years I felt a strong desire to explore more of the world and gain international experience.

While I was working in London, my girlfriend came across a job opening in the Bundesbank’s sustainability hub on LinkedIn. The position was open to English speakers, which immediately caught my attention. At the same time, climate change and the future direction of our world were becoming more and more important to me on a personal level. I wanted to do a job with a strong focus on sustainability – and this role turned out to be a perfect match.

Today I work in a small team of around 15 people. English is our working language, and the atmosphere is open, respectful and cooperative. Because the team is relatively small, there is not much bureaucracy, which makes everyday work efficient. I enjoy the diverse perspectives of my colleagues, who come from different countries, including Italy and the United Kingdom. We work closely with the Bundesbank’s Vice President, Sabine Mauderer, who chairs the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).

A large part of my job is to support her in this role. Together with colleagues, I prepare briefings, background notes and speeches for her meetings and public appearances. In addition, I am involved in the preparation for the Bundesbank’s involvement in the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group.

One of the highlights of the past months was helping to prepare Sabine for COP30, the international climate change conference in Belém, Brazil. Seeing that my work contributes to such an important global event gives me a strong sense of purpose. I am particularly interested in the sustainable bond market and in research on how quickly sustainable finance is growing. In order to achieve the transition to net zero emissions, the financial system must provide the necessary funding. For me, this is both morally and economically the right path.

Beyond the professional side, the Bundesbank offers many benefits that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. The job ticket allows me to explore Frankfurt and the surrounding regions by train, which is especially valuable for someone who had never lived in Germany before. International travel with the NGFS and participation in meetings across Europe are also great opportunities that I truly appreciate.

When I first arrived, the HR department provided excellent support with visa applications and other administrative matters. As a non-native speaker, I benefit from translation services and internal language support. Many intranet articles and forms help me improve my German, and I attend German courses at the Goethe-Institut, which are fully funded by the Bundesbank.

Looking back, joining the Bundesbank was an important step for me – both professionally and personally. Here, I can contribute to international solutions for one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Knowing that my work has a real impact is what makes this job so meaningful to me.