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 Individual Contractor (Instructional Design) 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.

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.

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in instructional design or curriculum development, preferably in the field of healthcare or public health education.
• 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.

Desirable

• Minimum one year of experience in working within the UN system.

Essential

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in adult learning, learning/education technologies, instructional design or related field.

Desirable

• Additional certification in e-learning development or instructional design is desirable, but not mandatory.

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset, but not a requirement.