Course Coordinator - United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)

Vacancy No.: VA/UNSSC/004/2015
Post Title and Level: Course Coordinator, P-4
Organizational Unit: Learning Lab
Duty Station: Turin, Italy
Duration: One year, extension of the appointment is subject to
availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Deadline for applications: 12 July 2015

THE STAFF COLLEGE IS INTERESTED IN SECONDMENT OF STAFF FROM

ORGANIZATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM:

UNSSC provides a work environment that reflects the core values: integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. UNSSC is committed to ensure a work force with balance in gender and geographical distribution. Equally qualified women candidates and candidates from developing countries will be favourably considered.

The United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) with its headquarters in Turin, Italy, is the United Nations institution for system-wide knowledge management, learning and training for the staff of the United Nations system. The College is expected to play a pivotal role in contributing to UN reform, the development of a common culture based on effectiveness, expertise and continuous learning through the development, co-ordination and provision of cross-cutting learning programmes which impact on all agencies and staff.

Organizational context:

The Learning Lab’s mission is to offer UN system organizations and staff innovative and cost-effective solutions to support staff development and increase competencies and capabilities in the areas of knowledge processes, communication and management.

To this end, the Learning Lab team focuses on the application of technology and innovation to learning and knowledge management, fosters knowledge sharing and offers UN personnel a broad portfolio of courses and on-demand services on core skills and management competencies.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Senior Manager of the Learning Lab team, the Course Coordinator is responsible and accountable for specific projects and knowledge services under the Learning Lab team portfolio, and in particular for the development of a catalogue of integrated learning services to strengthen the capability of UN system organizations to develop and recognize core knowledge, communications and management competencies.

Specific duties and responsibilities of the Course Coordinator include:

Programme Delivery:

1. Coordinate, design, develop, deliver and evaluate e-learning projects and Knowledge Management activities assigned from the Learning Lab portfolio, with a particular emphasis on innovation and the application of mobile and web-related technologies to enhance knowledge identification and learning processes in the context of learning paths and certification of core competencies.
2. Advise on, promote and support adoption of e-learning and blended learning approaches and methodologies by UNSSC programme teams and its partners; ensure coherence and complementarity of UNSSC mobile and e-learning tools and initiatives with UNSSC overall Knowledge 
Management framework.
3. Design comprehensive blended and e-learning programmes that draw from best practice inside and outside the UN system to support managerial reform and change management processes, supervising the development and implementation of mobile and e-learning tools accordingly.
4. As necessary, serve as a facilitator and/or resource person or tutor for face-to-face, e-learning and blended learning products
5. Manage relations and communications with partners, project counterparts, instructional designers, technical developers, faculty and subject matter experts.
6. Manage marketing, publicity and communications strategies for programmes, courses and learning events;
7. Analyse the characteristics of existing and emerging technologies and advise on their use in an instructional environment.
8. Keep abreast of best practices in the field of learning, training and technology enhanced learning.

Management:
9. Develop project documents with a detailed programme and financial component. Ensure all programmatic requirements are met, processes are followed and internal and external reporting is met.
10. Advise on evaluation methodology and perform assessment.
11. Support the team’s resource mobilization efforts, while monitoring financial status of projects and activities to ensure financial sustainability.

Partnerships:
12. Actively monitor and cultivate client and partner relations.
13. Propose and follow up on partnership opportunities, including new ventures.
14. Participate in inter-agency meetings and working groups to exchange information and collaborate on e-learning / online training initiatives and policies.
15. Facilitating UNSSC cross-team collaboration by identifying potential opportunities for funding through courses, products, and events for other teams, and/or providing direct support to organizing and delivering courses/KM products/events for other teams, if appropriate.

Competencies:

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to adult learning facilitation and enhancing learning through applied technology; knowledge and applied skills in the area of process and learning facilitation in physical and virtual classrooms; high degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept a wide range of responsibilities; reliability and commitment to timely delivery of high quality results and to achieving organizational goals; strong sense of responsibility and results orientation; demonstrated knowledge of project management, with proven ability in resource mobilization.

Commitment to continuous learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in the area of adult learning, Knowledge Management, and technology-enhanced learning; seeks to develop own professional knowledge and skills while also contributing to the learning of colleagues.

Technological Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software. Demonstrated ability to use learning management systems and technology to create engaging and effective formal and informal learning environments and opportunities;

Planning and Organizing: Good organization and co-ordination skills to plan and execute actions in response to changing needs; Ability to advise on issues and priorities related to the team’s activities, and to take responsive initiatives. Ability to organize and delegate work and to supervise staff;

Communication: Proven ability to write concisely and clearly and to communicate effectively orally; good communication skills to facilitate learning face-to-face and on-line; Proven ability to write proposals, reports, evaluations, etc. in a clear and concise manner;

Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with colleagues within the organization, implementing project partners, consultants and counterparts with sensitivity and respect for diversity; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Education:

Advanced University degree (Master degree or equivalent) in adult learning, instructional design, learning design and technology, organizational development, public or business administration and related social sciences. A first level degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced University degree.

Work Experience:

Minimum seven years of professional experience in a related area, five years of which should ideally have been in the UN system or in an international academic or corporate context. Experience in the development and coordination of executive and/or blended education programmes, or managing learning activities at a global level, is an advantage. Experience with UN inter-agency work would be an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English. Knowledge of French or Spanish is an advantage. Knowledge of a third official UN language is an asset.

Submission of applications:
The application (in English) should include the following:

•a duly completed, updated and signed P11 form (http://www.unssc.org/home/sites/unssc.org/files/p11un.doc); and
•a motivation letter elaborating in a concise style why you consider yourself qualified for this position.


The application should be submitted preferably by e-mail to recruitment@unssc.org with a subject title of “Application for Course Coordinator: VA/UNSSC/004/2015”.

If electronic submission is not possible, hard copy can be mailed or faxed to:
UNSSC Operations
United Nations System Staff College Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 10
10127 Turin, Italy
Fax: (+39) 011 65 35 902

Late submission of application and/or incomplete application will not be considered.

Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only those candidates who are successful at the application pre-screening stage will be contacted shortly after the application deadline.