| Location: |
Goethe-Institut Johannesburg |
| Project: |
The Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture – Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Position: |
Financial Accountant in Johannesburg |
| Start Date: |
01 November 2025 or later |
| Employment Type: |
Full-time (40 hours/week) |
| Contract Duration: |
Until 31 July 2028 |
| Application Deadline: |
22 October 2025 (for a start on 01 November 2025) |
Email for Applications: Lukas.Dollmaier@goethe.de
The Goethe-Institut Johannesburg is seeking a committed Financial Accountant from 01 November 2025 (or later) until 31 July 2028 as part of the EU-funded project “Africa-Europe Cultural Partnerships: Sub-Saharan Africa (2025–2028).” The position is full-time (40 hours/week), limited to the duration of the project, and dependent on the availability of EU funding. Remuneration is based on the current salary scheme for local staff at the Goethe-Institut in South Africa.
About the Project
The project “Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture: Sub-Saharan Africa (2025–2028)” promotes cultural dialogue between Sub-Saharan African countries and Europe, as well as within the African continent. The aim is to strengthen cultural integration, networking, and cooperation.
The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, active worldwide. We promote the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We provide a comprehensive image of Germany through information on its cultural, social, and political life. The Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg coordinates activities in countries south of the Sahara, with a special focus on strengthening pan-African dialogue and promoting mobile access to information and education.
Our programs support intercultural dialogue and cultural participation, strengthen civil society structures, and promote the exchange of values. We connect people, ideas, and cultural innovation worldwide, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
More information: www.goethe.de/johannesburg
Your Responsibilities
In this responsible position, you will manage key tasks in financial accounting and cash handling across all project locations.
Accounting for All Project Locations:
- Invoice validation
- Creation, review, and updating of vendor master data
- Liquidity management, including preparation of payments via online banking (Euro and local banks)
- Management and monitoring of invoices, installment payments, and pro-forma invoices, including internal and external correspondence
- Proper filing of documents, including payment confirmations
- Asset accounting
- Support in preparing financial statements
- Providing support to the project team on financial matters
Cash Handling at the Johannesburg Location:
- Organization and execution of cash payments
- Monitoring and settlement of cash advances
- Liquidity management, including cash replenishments and reconciliations
- Management of cash receipts, including completeness checks and communication regarding required documentation
- Preparation of daily cash reports and participation in cash audits, including protocol documentation
Additional Tasks for All Project Locations:
- Support in conducting financial eligibility checks grant calls
- Time tracking and absence management for the local project team (leave/compensatory time/sick leave), including maintenance of overviews (e.g., using AIDA)
- Responsibility for travel expenses claims and home leave reimbursements
- Support during internal and external audits
- Contribution to the optimization and digitalization of accounting and administrative processes
- Participation in the planning and implementation of training sessions for project teams on administrative regulations and procedures, as well as digital tools
- Administrative support in general project administration
Your Profile
- Completed commercial training or degree in finance
- Strong numerical skills and high IT affinity, especially excellent Excel skills
- SAP knowledge is desirable
- German language skills are desirable (if not yet at the required level, willingness to improve through language courses is expected); very good English skills required
- Willingness to familiarize yourself with the Goethe-Institut’s planning and control tools
- Willingness and ability to work with complex administrative regulations and guidelines, often written in German.
- Structured, responsible, and detail-oriented working style
- Quick comprehension, excellent social and intercultural skills
- Punctuality, resilience, reliability, and accuracy, as well as the ability to work independently and with commitment
- Valid work permit for South Africa
Application Process
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, we look forward to receiving your application!
Please send the following documents by email to Lukas.Dollmaier@goethe.de with the subject line “Application Financial Accountant EUP”:
- A tabular CV
- Your diploma or university certificate
- A Motivation Letter
Application deadline: 22 October 2025 (Important note: Only complete applications will be considered.)
Please include the following consent statement in your application:
“I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents for the purposes of the recruitment process at the Goethe-Institut.”
Due to South African labor law, we can only accept applications from South African citizens or individuals with a valid South African work permit or visa.
