Consultancy: Online Learning Specialist (Consultant) - LKE / DAPM- NYHQ- REQ#527117

Under the supervision of the Learning and Development Specialist at the Learning and Knowledge Exchange Unit, DAPM, the consultant is expected to primarily provide online learning services

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

In February 2015, UNICEF launched a Learning Management System (LMS) to offer an easy, structured and centralized access to learning opportunities and to improve reporting and evaluation of learning activities. The platform, called Agora (https://agora.unicef.org ), is now used by over 60,000 learners annually (internal and external) and it includes over 1200 off-the-shelf courses and resources from specialized providers, custom UNICEF online courses, and face-to-face and blended programmes from both UNICEF and external providers. Agora is managed by the Learning and Knowledge Exchange (LKE) Unit in the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM).

UNICEF recently adopted a new Learning Strategy which emphasize the importance of the platform and of technology enhanced learning to increase the quality, the reach and impact of learning initiatives.  

Terms of Reference / Deliverables 

Under the supervision of the Learning and Development Specialist at the Learning and Knowledge Exchange Unit, DAPM, the consultant is expected to primarily provide online learning services including:

A.        Agora learning platform users support

1.         Respond to queries from users of the learning platform and provide technical assistance to facilitators and subject matter experts to publish and manage learning assets.

2.         Contribute to the development and maintenance of guidance materials as needed.

B.         Management and coordination of e-learning content development and/or upgrade

1.         Support the development of online and blended learning activities, such as self-paced online learning modules, videos and video tutorials, learning paths.

2.         Publish and test learning activities and resources on Agora as needed. This also includes the referencing of selected external learning opportunities such as MOOCs.

3.         Conduct quality assurance on Agora to ensure that resources are properly set up (classification, visibility, completion tracking, certificate access, open badges,…)

4.         Conduct personal testing of online learning packages that are received and/or published. Coordinate group testing of assets when appropriate.

5.         Support the development of thematic learning channels.

6.         Provide administrative support to project teams:

a.         Projects files and resources update and maintenance

b.         Projects planning dashboards updated regularly

c.         Projects invoices tracking

7.         Participate review processes and testing.

C.         Communication

1.         Prepare and launch monthly Agora newsletter.

2.         Communicate about learning opportunities through appropriate channels (Intranet pages, communities of practice, social media, specialized sites,…).

Qualifications 

Education:

       • Advanced university degree in instructional design, adult learning, or online and distance education highly desirable. Social science or management degree (human resources, business administration, international relations, psychology, etc.) possible if complemented with relevant on the job experience. Additional professional training an advantage.

Work Experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience working on the delivery of online and/or blended learning programmes. (knowledge or experience of instructional design, technologies, development processes, needs analysis).
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in instructional design and the use of learning technologies for distance and blended training purposes.
• Experience in working with learning management systems as a solution to deliver e-learning programmes is mandatory, preferably experience of Totara and/or Moodle.
• Exposure to international professional contexts and/or multicultural environments within the United Nations Systems, preferably in UNICEF. 
• Prior experience in coordinating the development of online learning activities and resources for adults.
• Experience providing end-user support and technical assistance.
• Prior experience working in the development and maintenance of online and distance learning activities is desirable.
• Prior hands-on experience in innovate and use modern technologies and methodologies to support UNICEF's learning initiatives is desirable.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages a plus. 

Skills

• Strong project management skills (possibly including various concomitant projects).
• Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, ability to work well with others
• Ability to work with virtual teams (vendors, subject matter experts, testers, etc.)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of distance education challenges and learning management systems centred around clients’ needs and capacities.
• Good understanding of graphic design for learning principles.
• Advanced knowledge of Totara LMS or Moodle LMS environments- in particular regarding content integration and setup and user support.
• Knowledge and understanding of Articulate Storyline and Camtasia.
• Strong pedagogical and analytical skills, capacity to coordinate the work of e-learning vendors, and provide innovative ideas in order to deliver quality e-learning services.
• Knowledge and understanding of content management platforms and knowledge sharing tools highly desirable.

Competencies of Successful Candidate 

1. Core Values (Required)

•     Commitment

•     Diversity and Inclusion

•     Integrity

2. Core Competencies (Required)

•     Communication [II]

•     Drive for Result [II]

•     Working with People [II]

3. Functional Competencies (Required)

•     Analysing [II]

•     Applying Technical Expertise [II]

•     Following Instructions and Procedures [II]

•     Planning and Organizing [II]

•     Relating and Networking [I] 

Requirements:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html 
• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:
  • your daily rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above [PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION].
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
    
    
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.