Consultant – Instructional Design Stream

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is an equal opportunity employer Application must include an application letter and a detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email and residential addresses; and names with contact addresses of three professional references. Applications should be sent to job@avu.org and MUST have Consultant – Instructional Design Stream as the email subject. Inquiries should be sent to avuhr@avu.org The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The closing date for this application is 21st October 2013 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3) Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.0. INTRODUCTION 

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 seventeen (17) 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, and Guinea-Bissau. 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 African Development Bank is funding a Multinational Project 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 existing AVU Learning Centres as well
as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions; (2) Development or improvement and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, 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.

The AVU Multinational Project II will be implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (3) Lusophone African Countries: Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and nine (9) Anglophone African Countries: Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania.

Intended Outcomes of the AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP) for Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL):

• Faculty participants will understand ODeL programs from design to delivery.
• Participants will work effectively in multidisciplinary teams on issues related to ODeL program development, delivery and management.
• Participants will be able to develop ODeL projects integrated within their respective culture and institutional context.
• Participants will participate in a community of practice focused on institutional innovation through the respective roles and responsibilities of specialists trained in one of three streams: Instructional Design, Technology and Management of ODeL

At this time, AVU is seeking a consultant to help revise and deliver the AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP) modules on Instructional Design for Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL). This work will be performed in consultation with the AVU Instructional Design staff.

2.0. SCOPE OF WORK

A. REVISE THE CONTENT OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN STREAM

The consultant will work with AVU instructional designers and other personnel to revise or re-write the existing modules for delivery in blended or distance mode:

Stream 1: Instructional Design for ODeL Programs

Module 1-1 Project Planning
Module 1-2 Needs Assessment
Module 1-3 Design and Development
Module 1-4 Implementation and Evaluation

B. DEVELOP A SET OF USEFUL RESOURCES FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The overriding objectives of the modules are that the participants acquire immediate functional skills in how to create ODeL courses. It is expected that the consultants will, as part of the design, develop toolkits, manuals and other job aids that will guide the AVU Partner Institutions in a comprehensive and logical manner to design and develop their own ODeL programs.
Where software forms part of these toolkits, the consultant should demonstrate a strong bias towards open source software and standard desktop software. Although the AVU uses Moodle, the modules should be designed to be portable to a variety of learning management systems.

C. FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STREAM IN INSTRUCTIOAL DESIGN

i. ONLINE DELIVERY

It is expected that the consultant will, according to AVU program of actions, develop a series of exercises based on ODeL course development, management and delivery that the participants will be working on during the period when they are undertaking the Professional Development Program. The AVU anticipates that these exercises will be designed around participants converting courses and programs from their current face-2-face delivery to ODeL formats.

ii. WORKSHOPS

Subject to schedule and availability, the consultant may assist AVU staff on the design and implementation of 2 capacity enhancement workshops: an opening workshop will provides a general overview of the theme area; and a closing workshop will provide an opportunity for remediation and or exploration of areas identified by the participants and staff during the delivery of the PDP program.

3.0. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

1. "As delivered" curriculum outline for Instructional Design modules
2. Four Modules on Instructional Design for ODeL
3. Resource "toolkit" for designing, developing and producing ODeL courses and programs including templates for modules, learning activities, media presentations, formative and summative assessment activities and module evaluation
4. Animation of a series of online seminars other learning activities on Instructional Design for ODeL that accompany the modules
5. If required, facilitation of a closing workshop on the Instructional Design Stream
6. A final report on the activities and deliverables for the Instructional Design stream, and their success in meeting the goals of ACEP.

4.0. QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Experience in the design, delivery and evaluation of online education programs at the university level
• Experience in developing and delivery faculty development workshops
• At least a Masters in Education. Preference will be given to candidates with a Masters or Doctorate in Distance Education, or Educational Technology, or a combination of an advanced degree and significant experience in instructional materials development
• Fluency in spoken and written English language. Preference will be given to candidates with additional working knowledge of French or Portuguese
• High level of computer literacy (e.g. fully conversant with MS office, some ability to use graphics software,) and a willingness to expand knowledge and skills to new areas of computer literacy
• Other Skills:
  
  • Creativity
  • Analytical skills
  • Organization / team work
  • Communication skills

Highly desirable

• Experience in multimedia materials development
• Experience in the design and validation of formative and summative assessments
• Knowledge or awareness of gender issues associated with encouraging the participation of women in education
• Previous experience involving international development or higher education In Africa

Desirable

• Technical skills:
  
  • Graphic Design
  • Experience planning or producing Digital Video
  • CD ROM development
  • Knowledge of Open Source Tools such as Moodle LMS. wikis and blogs
• Awareness of Open Education Resources and Creative Commons Licensing

5.0. MODALITIES OF WORK
The consultant will work at a time and place mutually agreed upon with the AVU.

6.0 DURATION
Will vary depending on the scope of work

7.0. REPORTING
The officer will work under the supervision of the Manager, Educational Technology and Learning Resources or such other person as the AVU may designate from time to time in writing.

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