Goethe Application Portal Officers

The Goethe-Institut Johannesburg is looking for two Goethe Application Portal Officers with software engineering tasks for the programming of the Goethe Application Portal (GAP) in the context of the cultural projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. The external service contract will initially run for 12 months starting in April 2026. The contract is based on a 40-hour working week.


ABOUT THE GOETHE-INSTITUT SOUTH AFRICA

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We convey a comprehensive picture of Germany by providing information on Germany's cultural, social and political life. The Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg regulates the work in the Sub-Saharan countries. Its activities in this region have a special focus on strengthening the pan-African as well as African-European dialogue, and on promoting mobile access to information and education. For more information, visit www.goethe.de/johannesburg. 

About the Goethe-Application Portal (GAP)

The Goethe-Application Portal (GAP) is our digital platform that manages grant applications across various funding programmes. For the Africa-Europe Partnership for Culture project, GAP will serve as the central system through which:

• Applicants register and submit their grant proposals
• Selection committees review and evaluate applications
• Project staff manage the full grant lifecycle from application to reporting

The system requires technical administration, user support, and content management to ensure smooth operation throughout the project.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
As Goethe Application Portal Officer, you will:

• Configure and manage grant calls – Set up application forms, configure evaluation workflows, and maintain the technical aspects of multiple grant schemes
• Provide technical support – Guide applicants and jury members through the portal's functionality and resolve user issues
• Extract and analyze data – Generate reports from the system to monitor application trends and support project evaluation
• Ensure system quality – Test new features, monitor system performance, and coordinate with the GAP team at headquarters on technical improvements
• Manage user accounts – Create and maintain accounts for project staff, jury members, and support users when they encounter access issues
• Train project team members – Provide guidance on using the portal's features for application review and grant management
• Coordinate with content teams – Work closely with project managers to ensure application forms accurately reflect grant requirements
• Document processes – Create and maintain documentation on portal usage for internal and external users

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Experience with digital platforms, content management systems, or similar applications
• Experience in database management
• Strong content management skills
• Good technical aptitude and problem-solving abilities
• Strong team player with collaborative approach
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Proficiency with MS Office and digital collaboration tools
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; German and French are advantages
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Valid work permit for South Africa

How to apply

Please send your CV, a short motivation letter and a proposed budget by e-mail to philina.wittke@goethe.de no later than 22 March 2026.  Please state in the subject line of your email: “Application for GAP Officer Freelance Position”.


Please add the following declaration of consent to your application:

“I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents for the purposes of the admission procedure at the Goethe-Institut.”


Important note on the application procedure:

Only complete applications will be considered. Applicants with disabilities or applicants with equal status will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal professional suitability.