ILRI vacancy: Capacity Development/ Instructional Design Specialist

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Capacity Development / Instructional Design Specialist to enhance ILRI’s contribution to the capacity development and learning aspects of several of its CGIAR Research Programs (CRP) and programs.

ILRI works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. www.ilri.org.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

The Position: The assignment involves working closely with ILRI’s Head of Capacity Development, research leaders and our research-for-development partners to promote “better lives through livestock” through a range of capacity development / instructional design activities, including:

Contribute to ILRI’s mission and livestock agenda by creating blended learning courses based on Adult Learning Theory (ALT) and sound Instructional design principles and practices.
Review and refine training materials, prepare lesson plans, and produce online/e-learning modules.
Create Outlines, Storyboards, Scripts, Job Aids, Activities, Assessments, and other deliverables for a variety of broad range of learning needs.
Define technology requirements and process standards for training activities.
Assist in the creation of learning systems that can capitalize (ideally in almost real-time) on the learning and experience taking place in different parts – geographically and thematically – of the CRPs, and disseminate widely after adapting based on capacity development and learning theory best practices.
Contribute to ongoing research on various aspects of capacity development / instructional design and their application to ILRI’s mandate.
Make learning (including social learning) explicit and embedded into the research process, so that capacities (including the capacity to innovate) are enhanced.
Support a ‘Learning Hub’ that will handle both the data flow and analysis of our learning data, along with a broader dissemination strategy.
Converting research outputs and tools into training media and a strategy to ensure effective dissemination and uptake among our research team and target beneficiaries.
Support the implementation of multi stakeholder platforms, including support in setting up and facilitation of such platforms, and contribution to related research activities.

Responsibilities:

Develop blended-learning programs and training materials based on proven adult learning techniques (including ADDIE, Rapid Course Development, and Adult Learning Theory), using appropriate design, content and technologies adapted to the context of actors in developing countries.
Help disseminate learning insights gained, as well as tools and methodologies across CRPs and ILRI’s activities.
Support researchers and partners in setting up and facilitating multiple stakeholder platforms, as well as in the delivery of materials as needed (including assistance in coordinating and organizing training sessions, and delivering training programs as needed).
Support the program researchers in conceptualizing and developing capacity development activities.
Contribute to research activities around capacity development topics.
Work with program scientists to develop and apply tools and methods for an ongoing assessment of program capacity development needs, as well as the impact of capacity development interventions on the overall program objectives.
Develop partnerships with selected capacity development actors to achieve the program objectives
Any other related task as assigned by the Head of Capacity Development.

Requirements:

Advanced degree in Education, Communication, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or other related fields.
At least 10 years exposure in the disciplinary area, e.g., instructional design / learning systems / education & training / social science – with experience working in developing countries. Of these, at least three years in one or more of the following areas: (1) online instructional design experience; (2) technical writing experience; (3) working with an LMS.
A proven skill-set in the development of learning courses, dissemination of learning products, training and technical assistance materials, needs assessments, and other capacity development products.
Familiarity with aspects of livestock production, and/or agricultural systems in developing countries a plus.
Experience with Adult Learning, Engagement skills, Curriculum Development Competence and e-learning
Experience with eLearning tools such as Articulate Storyline, Articulate Studio (Quizmaker), Adobe Captivate, Flash, HTML/HTM5, MS SharePoint 2010, and Java Script Flash/Action Script as well as graphical design tools, such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
High level understanding of AICC and SCORM standards
Excellent judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage risk and competing priorities and meet deadlines.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Facilitation, presentation, and/or publication experience a plus.

Post location: This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, or one of ILRI’s regional offices (Hanoi, New Delhi, Ouagadougou or Harare). There will be an induction period at ILRI’s headquarters in Nairobi prior to taking up the post at the duty station.

Position level: This is an Internationally-recruited position, job grade 4C.

Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.

Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive international and salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension, Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for: Education, Housing, Relocation, Home leave, Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.

*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience should be included in the curriculum vitae. The position title and reference number: IDS/CDU/08/2014 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.

All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com by 30 September 2014.