INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER

VACANCY NOTICE

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is an equal opportunity employer.

The successful candidates will be appointed for 6 months with possibility of extension. This position is based at AVU offices in Nairobi, Kenya.

Application must include an application letter and detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email; and names with contact addresses of three professional references.
Applications should be sent to **job@avu.org and must have INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER as the email subject
The closing date for this application is July 4th 2016 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3). **

Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted

1.0. INTRODUCTION

1. AVU

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies. A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by nineteen (19) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and Cape Verde. The AVU has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.

The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project, which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries. The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 21 African countries. The project has the following activities: (1) Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions; (2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education (TE), Computer Science (CS), and Peace and Conflict Resolution; (3) Gender Mainstreaming, (4) Research and Development; (5) Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and (6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity.

To successfully implement these project activities the AVU wishes to engage one Instructional Designer whose primary responsibility will be to translate raw content into instructional content for all AVU Programs.

2.0. SCOPE OF WORK

The Instructional Designer will report to the Manager of Educational Technology and Learning Resources (ET&LR) and will be responsible for the following activities:

• Coordinate content development projects;
• Work with Subject Matter Experts during course authoring and development to ensure high quality in terms of instructional design;
• Develop educational resources in line with AVU policies;
• Develop or adapt instructional materials for online, blended mode and face-to-face courses; for formal course with an instructor and for self-learning;
• Revise and rewrite content in line with AVU policies;
• Use latest trends to create media to support teaching and learning activities, especially videos, animations and graphics;
• Produce learning materials in different format: online, print, storage devices (CDs, DVDs, USB, etc.);
• Produce learning materials compliant with standards (SCORM);
• Develop assessment strategies;
• Support the improvement of the AVU Virtual Classroom based on Moodle;
• Support the improvement of AVU Open Educational Resources;
• Edit and proofread educational content or any other documents as needed;
• Work on any other task that may be required.

3.0. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

· Well-designed content for: face to face delivery, mixed mode, and synchronized eLearning delivery modes;

· Well-organized project development processes;

· An effective AVU instructional design strategy;

· Learning materials developed and revised in line with AVU policies;

· Media developed to support learning in all delivery modes and for both formal and self-learning courses as well as assessment strategies;

· Materials adapted to all possible instructional formats and compliant with standards (e.g. SCORM);

· An improved AVU Virtual Classroom;

· Improved AVU Open Educational Resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Instructional Design, or related subject;
• Minimum of five years of instructional design or technical writing experience;
• Demonstrated familiarity with Instructional Design and courseware development principles;
• Knowledge of authoring training tools;
• Knowledge of multimedia authoring tools;
• Demonstrated skills in web-based course development software;
• Creative problem solving ability;

Expertise in:

• SCORM
• Course Management Software – Moodle LMS
• MS Office software
• Online courseware materials like OERs;

· Knowledge of online teaching and learning methods;

· Exposure to various learning systems which include Higher Education in Africa;

· Ability to understand and communicate concepts quickly and accurately;

· Accomplished presentation skills, including development and delivery;

· Desire to continuously learn new features of development tools and software;

· Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills;

· High attention to detail;

· Ability to prioritize, schedule and meet deadlines;

· Work both independently and within a team;

· Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic team.

4.0. MODALITIES OF WORK

The Instructional Designer will work 5 days a week from 9.00am to 5.30 and will be based in the AVU Offices in Nairobi, Kenya. This is a full time employment.

5.0. DURATION

This position is for a duration of 6 months with a possibility of extension.

6.0. REPORTING

The Instructional Designer will work under the supervision of the Manager of ET&LR or such other person as the client may designate from time to time in writing.

8.0 PAYMENT

The monthly salary will be commensurate with the qualification and experience of the successful candidate.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications should be sent to job@avu.org and must have INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER as the email subject