Individual Contractor - Instructional Design

Area of Specialization/Thematic Areas:

Instructional design, course development, learning technology integration, assessment design

Overview:

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Division on NCD, Digital Health, and Capacity Building supports the strengthening of individuals, and institutions (including public, private, and philanthropic organizations) at global, regional, and country levels to ensure that these partners have essential capacities, structures, and systems in place to tackle non-communicable diseases, innovate through the uptake of digital health tools and approaches, and enhance their capacities through more accessible, affordable, and accredited training in a sustained and sustainable manner.

The WHO Academy operates as a specialized global entity within the World Health Organization, working collaboratively with various departments and stakeholders to support the advancement of health education worldwide. It acts as a key driver in shaping the learning strategies and initiatives to address the evolving needs of the global health community. Currently, WHO delivers over 1,400 courses for both internal and external learners through various diverse digital learning platforms. The WHO Academy aims to migrate these courses on its Learning Experience Platform (LXP). WHO, UNITAR, and The Defeat-NCD Partnership will work together to accelerate the efforts of establishing this unified platform, including migration of existing courses and development of new courses.

The expertise of the Individual Contractor (Instructional Design) is indispensable in ensuring the design and development of effective and engaging learning experiences that align with the WHO Academy's global health priorities. This role is vital in facilitating the dissemination of up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge and promoting the adoption of best practices in healthcare worldwide.

General objectives of the contract: Reporting to the UNITAR Project Manager and collaborating with the LXP Lead from the WHO Academy, the Individual Contractor (Instructional Design) is a key member of the “WHO Academy course mobilisation programme: Migration and co-production of courses (WHOA: MCC)” who is responsible for migrating the hosted courses to the WHO Academy’s LXP and designing the allocated courses for co-produced courses in partnership between the WHO Academy and UNITAR. This role entails ensuring the timely and high-quality delivery of courses as outlined in the agreement between the WHO Academy and UNITAR.

Within this project, the instructional design specialist is a key contributor to the design and development of cutting-edge educational content.

Responsibilities/description of professional services:

• Collaborating with the Project Manager to understand the learning requirements and objectives for each assigned course.
• Migrating allocated courses from various WHO platforms to the WHO Academy platform, after conducting a detailed review to ensure compliance with expected quality standards.
• Developing instructional materials, learning modules, and assessments aligned with the WHO Academy's standards and guidelines.
• Incorporating innovative pedagogical strategies and technologies to enhance the learning experience for a diverse global audience.
• Conducting regular reviews and updates of existing educational content to ensure relevance and accuracy.
• Providing support and expertise to other team members, contributing to the overall enhancement of the learning design and production process.

Measurable outputs/deliverables/schedule of deliverables:

1. Objective: Migrate WHO courses from other platforms to the WHO Academy’s LXP
   • Deliverable 1.1: Review allocated courses to ensure the course meets the required quality standards.
   • Deliverable 1.2: Revise the learning objectives, course metadata, assessments and learning activities to meet it meets the expected quality standards.
   • Deliverable 1.3: Migrate the allocated courses from other platforms to the WHO Academy’s Learning Experience Platform (LXP).
   • Deliverable 1.4: Conduct a final review of each migrated course to ensure it is functioning as designed on the LXP.
   • Deliverable 1.5: Improve and make necessary fixes to the allocated courses based on feedback from learners and key stakeholders.

Note: Depending on the consultant’s capacity and the number of courses finalised for migration purposes, the consultant may be required to work on the following deliverables as well. In such an event, a revised schedule of deliverables will be shared with the consultant.

2. Objective: Design and develop WHO courses
   • Deliverable 2.1: Organize interdisciplinary virtual learning design workshops with Subject Matter Experts (SME) and appropriate other WHO Academy members. Involve external stakeholders if required.
   • Deliverable 2.2: Co-design learning solutions with a team of SMEs that address priority learning problems defined by the WHO Academy team. This includes learning outcomes, description of the audience, assessments, learning activities and accessibility criteria (list not exhaustive).
   • Deliverable 2.3: Develop effective, efficient, and impactful learning experiences in line with the Academy’s learning model, standards and course production framework.
   • Deliverable 2.4: Develop competency-based and outcomes-oriented learning evaluation activities and design course specific learning analytics to maximize learning impact.
   • Deliverable 2.5: Write storyboards, learning specifications, activities and other relevant learning instructions for internal and external partners to implement the programmes and organize its deployment into the Learning Experience Platform.
   • Deliverable 2.6: Conduct a final review of each course to ensure it is functioning as designed on the LXP.
   • Deliverable 2.7: Improve and make necessary fixes to the allocated courses based on feedback from learners and key stakeholders.

List of deliverables/ Timelines

1. Onboarding of the consultant; reviewing the quality standards and expected processes/ 30 April 2024
2. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 2-3 allocated courses/ 31 May 2024
3. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 4-5 allocated courses/ 30 June 2024
4. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 4-5 allocated courses/ 31 July 2024
5. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 5-6 allocated courses/ 31 August 2024
6. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 5-6 allocated courses, Deliverable 1.5 for the allocated courses/ 30 September 2024
7. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 4-5 allocated courses/ 31 October 2024
8. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 4-5 allocated courses/ 30 November 2024
9. Deliverables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 of 4-5 allocated courses, Deliverable 1.5 for the remaining allocated courses/ 31 December 2024

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

1. Completion rate of deliverables:
   • Number of allocated courses reviewed (Deliverable 1.1).
   • Number of courses for which the learning objectives, course metadata, assessments, and learning activities were revised (Deliverable 1.2).
   • Number of courses migrated to the WHO Academy's Learning Experience Platform (LXP) (Deliverable 1.3).
2. Quality of migrated courses:
   • Evaluation scores of migrated courses based on predefined quality standards (e.g., alignment with learning objectives, clarity of content, usability of assessments) provided by the quality assurance consultant.
3. Timeliness of deliverables:
   •  Percentage of deliverables completed within the specified deadlines.
   • Average time taken to complete each deliverable compared to the projected timeline.
4. Feedback from stakeholders:
   • Satisfaction scores from key stakeholders (e.g., UNITAR project manager, WHO Academy project manager, and subject matter experts) regarding the quality and effectiveness of the migrated courses.
   • Feedback on responsiveness, communication, and collaboration from stakeholders throughout the project duration.
5. Functionality and usability of migrated courses:
   •  Learner and stakeholder feedback on the functionality and usability of migrated courses on the LXP.
   • Number of reported technical issues or glitches related to migrated courses and their resolution status.

Competencies: Generic

1. Demonstrated proficiency in instructional design and adult learning principles.
2. Excellent written communication skills.
3. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
4. Excellent project management abilities, including time management and prioritization skills.
5. Creative problem-solving skills and a commitment to continuous improvement.
6. Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

1. A thorough understanding of learning design principles and adult learning.
2. In-depth knowledge of learning management systems and educational technologies, enabling the integration of innovative technological solutions into the learning design process.
3. Experience with e-learning development tools and software, such as Articulate Storyline and Rise and e-learning platforms, such as Moodle and Open eDX.
4. Expertise in preparing detailed storyboards based on course requirements.
5. In-depth knowledge of learning management systems and educational technologies.
6. Proficiency in multimedia and e-learning authoring tools.
7. Familiarity with global health priorities and healthcare delivery systems.
8. Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment.
9. Proven ability to ensure the effective use of resources.
10. Proven ability to work with a diverse team across different functional areas in different time zones.

Reporting structure (name of direct supervisor):

Project Manager, “WHO Academy course mobilisation programme: Migration and co-production of courses (WHOA: MCC)”, Division on NCD, Digital Health, and Capacity Building.

Minimum requirements

Education Qualifications --- An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in adult learning, learning/education technologies, instructional design or related field. Additional certification in e-learning development or instructional design is desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in instructional design or curriculum development, preferably in the field of healthcare or public health education. Minimum one year of experience in working within the UN system is desirable.
• Proven experience in working diverse stakeholders and vendors in an international or cross-cultural setting, showcasing exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• A profound understanding of learning design principles and methodologies to achieve optimal learning outcomes.
• Proven experience in successfully working on complex learning design projects, preferably within the healthcare or public health sectors. This experience should demonstrate the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and manage resources efficiently.
• Experience working in an international or cross-cultural setting, demonstrating cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. This experience should showcase the capacity to navigate cultural nuances and facilitate communication and collaboration across diverse global contexts.
• Extensive experience in the design and development of courses, in the context of adult learning or professional development. This experience should reflect a deep understanding of learning design principles, instructional methodologies, and the ability to create engaging and effective learning experiences tailored to diverse global audiences.

Language Skills --- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Remarks:

Individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, by local laws. UNITAR does not reimburse individual contractors for any taxes, duty, or other contribution payable by the individual contractors on payments made under the individual contractor contract.

UNITAR does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for individual contractors, and individual contractors are not eligible to participate in the life and health insurance schemes provided by the UN for its staff members.

The assignment requires the individual contractor to be self-sufficient and arrange to be equipped with the requisite professional tools and equipment to carry out this assignment such as laptop with standard Adobe and Microsoft Office software, and a mobile phone.