The Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project Foundation, founded in 2019 by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) and the Commission for Art Recovery (CAR), is based in Berlin, Germany. The foundation is creating and populating a central scalable digital data repository for archival source material on the cultural plunder conducted during the National Socialist regime. In addition to the data repository, the JDCRP digital platform includes research and education projects that demonstrate the use of archival material in reconstructing the theft, as well as recalling the lives and cultural contributions of European pre-WWII Jewry. State-of-the-art technology is supporting the development of cross-archival links and improved search capabilities across various databases on objects, owners, and perpetrators, thereby revealing for the first time the full scope of the plunder to the extent possible. The archival project uniquely targets both specialists and the general public.

Job Description

The Junior IT Assistant, working together with and supported by our IT officer, will be instrumental in developing and maintaining the technical infrastructure of our central archival data repository. This includes supporting the design of user interfaces, translating non-technical requirements into functional designs, and managing data in various formats. The ideal candidate will possess technical skills, collaboration and communication skills, and an appreciation for cultural heritage.

The foundation is supervised by its Board of Trustees and its activities are managed by its Executive Board.

Responsibilities may include:

• Gather requirements through discussions with staff and stakeholders
• Translate requirements from non-technical team members into user journeys and features.
• Draft wireframes and mockups following discussions with staff and stakeholders.
• Draft requirements documentation focusing on user interaction with the central archival data repository.
• Create architecture diagrams and technical documentation.
• Manage and manipulate datasets in various formats (CSV, Excel, Airtable, JSON, Matlab, Google OpenRefine).
• Employ basic programming and automation skills (Python, Java, Bash) to automate processes.
• Utilize transfer and communication protocols such as FTP, SCP, GIT, SSH.

Qualifications:

• Experience working with datasets from different types such as CSV, Excel, Airtable, JSON, Matlab, OpenRefine, and Google datasets.
• Experience or affinity to working with metadata relating to cultural heritage, art history or provenance research.
• Familiarity with modeling languages and writing technical documentation.
• Experience and familiarity with user research and requirements-gathering techniques.
• Basic programming knowledge and familiarity with automation work – Python, Java, Bash
• Experience or interest in working with Linked Open Data.
• Excellent communication skills in English. German skill is preferred.
• Proactive and clear communication.
• Ability to work independently, flag issues and request for support when needed.
• Current enrollment in university studies, preferably at a post-bachelor level

What We Offer:

• A position with responsibility in a growing non-profit organization, ideally based in Berlin.
• A project-related contract through December 2024 with limited-term funding, with prospects for extension, depending on availability of additional funding.
• Remote work and flexible hours, with 20 hours per week minimum.
• Remuneration compatible with comparable positions in the NGO sector.
• Opportunity to join a small and motivated international and interdisciplinary team that is establishing and growing sustainable, long-term operations.

Please submit your application via email to secretary@jdcrp.org. Attach a letter of motivation and a CV in one PDF document (max. 10 MB). The selection process will be conducted on a rolling basis as applications are received.

The Junior IT Assistant performs his/her work upholding the principles of the JDCRP Foundation of mutual respect, collaboration, integrity, and transparency.