Consultant – Learning Simulation Designer

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will design and develop WHO Academy Simulation Activities in preparation for the next learning products releases. He/she will establish and ensure the design and the development process are aligned with the Academy's learning model, standards and quality framework to drive the development of best-in-class immersive simulation learning experiences deployed digitally, in the Academy's onsite simulation learning centre, and on other sites according to need.

Background

The WHO Academy is a priority special initiative of the WHO transformation agenda and supports accelerated learning and capacity building towards achievement of the 13th General Programme of Work targets. On 11 June 2019 the President of France and the Director-General of WHO signed a Declaration of Intent to establish the WHO Academy that will revolutionize lifelong learning in health.

The Academy brings together adult learning science, behavioural science and cutting-edge learning technologies such as artificial intelligence and extended reality with WHO’s norms, standards and evidence to deliver high impact accredited and tailored multilingual learning to meet diverse needs.

The Academy is open to a wide range of multisectoral stakeholders that can influence health, including leaders, educators, researchers, health workers, WHO staff and the broader public. The overall goal is to support the learning and development needs of WHO staff and stakeholders to progress towards WHO’s “triple billion” goal: ensuring that by 2023, an additional 1 billion people benefit from universal health coverage; 1 billion more are afforded better protection in health emergencies, and 1 billion more enjoy improved health and wellbeing. More information about the Academy is available at academy.who.int.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Simulation methodology.

• Objective 1: Establish the WHO Academy Simulation strategy.
  • Output 1.1: Run workshops with relevant stakeholders from WHO to collect strategic and domain-specific requirements on simulation and practice activities in health life-long learning.
  • Output 1.2: Draft the WHO Academy simulation approach and methodology as per existing Learning and Simulation latest standards and evidence. Include the output of the several workshops from various WHO Technical Units.
  • Output 1.3: Establish a framework of simulation activities for digital delivery, as well as for in-person delivery. This framework could be made of (list non exhaustive): a simulation model in line with the UHC Competency Framework, a library of activities for simulation (digital, in-person, hybrid), an implementation plan, etc.
• Objective 2: Keep aware of latest simulation science.
  • Output 2.1: Capture the latest research in innovation and evidence from simulation science in lifelong learning for health professionals. Write and maintain reports as appropriate, share and communicate the key takeaways with other Designers and relevant stakeholders within the WHO Academy. Highlight principles of Simulation Fidelity and how it can be implemented for the learners.

• Deliverable 2: Simulation design and development.

• Objective 3: Design impact-oriented simulation activities to support learning programmes.
  • Output 3.1: Organize interdisciplinary virtual design workshops with Subject Matter Experts (SME) and appropriate other WHO Academy members. Involve external stakeholders if required.
  • Output 3.2: Identify simulation opportunities to support the catalogue of WHO Academy learning products.
  • Output 3.3: Co-design simulation solutions with a team of SMEs and with other Academy Designers that address priority learning problems defined by the WHO Academy team. Establish learning outcomes, assessment strategy, simulation script and accessibility criteria. All these elements will comply with the established WHO Academy frameworks, references and tools. Document all steps for further execution.
• Objective 4: Develop simulation activities.
  • Output 4.1: Develop effective, efficient, and impactful simulation experiences in line with the Academy’s learning model, standards and production framework.
  • Output 4.2: Write storyboards, specifications, individual or team activities, checklists and other relevant simulation instructions to enable internal and external partners to implement the activities and organize their deployment into the Learning Experience Platform (for digital activities) and/or in our Simulation Centres (for in-person activities).
  • Output 4.3: Liaise with external providers to produce the required online material (VR/AR experience, virtual patient, or any other digital product) and/or the in-person material (simulation guide, medical equipment, 3D-printing, or any other material to support the in-person execution of the simulation). When required, identify external providers, prepare Terms of References for collaboration, monitor the production activity (deliverables, timeline, change requirements, risks, etc.).
• Objective 5: Prototype, test, evaluate and improve simulation activities.
  • Output 5.1: Work closely with the Simulation Delivery expert to prototype, test, evaluate and improve simulations based on feedback and data both pre- and post-launch.
  • Output 5.2: Augment efficiency of simulations through continuous improvement loop, by measuring learner experience and by checking quality requirements.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• First level university degree in one of the following fields:
  • Educational Sciences (Adult Learning, Learning Technologies, Curricula Management, Instructional Design).
  • Behavioral Science, Educational Psychology or any related field.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree such as master’s degree/PhD in Educational Sciences, behavioral Science or related field.
• Degree in health technologies, public health, medical education.
• Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE).

Experience

Essential:

At least 5 years of relevant experience in:

• Health education, health communication or in any learning science related field (curricula building, instructional design, learning technologies, etc.).
• Designing or running simulation activities in the field of medical/health science.
• Previous experience in working with multiple stakeholders in a diverse environment (multiple cultures, time zones, countries/regions, languages, etc.).
• Experience in the Health sector.

Desirable:

• Experience in Project Management.
• Experience in implementing learning solutions in LMIC.
• Experience working with World Health Organization or with a large NGO.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Ability to deliver products and achieve results as per plan.
• Expertise working with colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Technical writing skills.
• Teamwork and curiosity for other sciences/technologies.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Basic knowledge of French.

Location

Off site: Home Based

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html