Hi what would be best way to go about setting up a contract avoiding platforms like upwork if my employer is in germany?

Find Hello Bonsai in the second tab of this app: https://aboutme.glideapp.io/

Do you need an arbitration service or an escrow service? If not, then a simple PDF signed and scanned both ways works for most people. If you need escrow then upwork suprisingly is one of the cheaper options. Other escrow only services I have come across are super expensive.

I agree with Saurabh. You can invite your own clients on Upwork and use Direct Contracts. The platform I was talking about is this: https://www.hellobonsai.com/invite?fp_ref=amitsarda (affiliate link).