Consultant on E-Learning and Capacity-Building for Urban Development

Result of ServiceTo develop the content and scriptwriter for two distinct, self-paced interactive online courses: • Voluntary Local Reviews in Practice: Tools and Guidelines for Arab Cities • Rethinking Quality of Life in Cities This is done based on the available materials on both topics, by adapting existing materials into course-ready formats and drafting scripts, storylines, and assessments. The consultant will ensure effective knowledge transfer through collaboration with UNESCWA’s teams for multimedia integration, interactive exercises, and digital learning tools. Work LocationRemotly Expected duration15 weeks Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) is advancing initiatives within its urban development portfolio to support national and local governments in achieving sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urbanization across the Arab region. This work prioritizes the empowerment of local authorities and is closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 11, the New Urban Agenda, and the Pact for the Future. In this context, UNESCWA, in partnership with UN-Habitat, seeks to recruit a consultant with expertise in capacity-building and digital learning to support the development of two interactive, self-paced online courses on urban development: Course 1: Voluntary Local Reviews in Practice: Tools and Guidelines for Arab Cities UNESCWA and UN-Habitat have developed the Practical Guidelines for Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) in the Arab region to assist cities in monitoring and implementing the SDGs at the local level. The primary objective of this course is to transform these guidelines, along with related learning materials, into a structured, interactive online learning experience. The course will serve as a key capacity-building tool for local governments, policymakers, and urban practitioners, enhancing their ability to conduct VLRs effectively and align local development strategies with the SDGs. Emphasis will be placed on promoting a participatory, evidence-based, and actionable VLR process. Course 2: Rethinking Quality of Life in Cities Rethinking Quality of Life in Cities is an online course that invites urban practitioners, policymakers, and planners to place people’s well-being at the center of sustainable urban development. The course explores the multidimensional nature of Quality of Life (QoL), including social inclusion, economic opportunity, environmental health, governance, and cultural vitality, and examines how these elements shape livable, resilient, and equitable cities. Through global and regional case studies, participants learn to apply evidence-based frameworks and participatory approaches to assess and enhance QoL in alignment with the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. The course encourages a shift from infrastructure-driven to people-centered urban planning, empowering participants to reimagine urban progress through the lens of human well-being and inclusivity. Scope of Work: The consultant will support UNESCWA and UN-Habitat efforts with a specific focus on the following core activities, applicable to both online courses: • Content Transformation and Scripting: Transforming existing materials such as the Practical Guidelines for VLRs in the Arab region, and the QoL initiative materials, alongside related UNESCWA and UN-Habitat resources into structured, engaging, and comprehensive course content tailored for self-paced learning by regional stakeholders. • Script and Storyboard Development: Developing the detailed course content and storyboards, including the drafting of all necessary scripts, defining clear learning objectives, and creating effective assessment tools. This work must ensure alignment with regional priorities and the participatory, evidence-based approach outlined in the Guidelines. • Refinement and Quality Assurance: Supporting course improvement and relevance by gathering user feedback after testing and refining the content to ensure the courses remain effective and accessible capacity-building tools for sustainable urban development. Objective and methodology: To develop the content and scriptwriter for two distinct, self-paced interactive online courses: • Voluntary Local Reviews in Practice: Tools and Guidelines for Arab Cities • Rethinking Quality of Life in Cities This is done based on the available materials on both topics, by adapting existing materials into course-ready formats and drafting scripts, storylines, and assessments. The consultant will ensure effective knowledge transfer through collaboration with UNESCWA’s teams for multimedia integration, interactive exercises, and digital learning tools. Tasks - duties and responsibilities: The consultant will be supporting UNESCWA and UN-Habitat efforts in advancing learning on urban development including: - Adapting the Practical Guidelines for VLRs in the Arab Region and available material on Quality of Life into clear, engaging 2 courses content tailored for local governments and urban practitioners in the Arab region. - Review and incorporate additional UNESCWA and UN-Habitat provided resources such as related publications, presentations, and tools to strengthen and contextualize the course content, ensuring coherence with the Guidelines and alignment with learning objectives. - Design the courses structure script and storyboard, ensuring a logical flow and alignment with ESCWA’s urban development objectives. - Draft and prepare course-ready materials, including scripts, storylines, learning objectives, and text for multimedia elements (e.g., interactive modules, video content, infographics, and downloadable resources), to be designed and produced in collaboration with UNESCWA’s technical teams. - Ensure the course content supports a coherent visual and instructional identity, in line with UNESCWA’s communication and learning standards, by providing input and direction on visual tone and branding as needed. - Edit and format the course content for digital delivery, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accessibility in line with e-learning good practices. - Provide guidance and source materials for multimedia production, including video scripts, voice-over texts, and interactive prompts; perform basic editing or formatting if required. - Develop content for assessment tools and knowledge checks (e.g., quizzes, self-assessments, and case study exercises), ensuring alignment with the course’s learning outcomes. - Review the integrated course on UNESCWA’s Moodle platform and provide feedback to ensure functional coherence, ease of navigation, and alignment with intended learning objectives. - Provide content-related support for uploading and maintaining the course on UNESCWA’s e-learning platform, working in coordination with platform administrators. - Support additional digital learning initiatives on sustainable urban development and VLR capacity-building through content input and review, as requested. - Undertake other content-related tasks, as needed, to support successful delivery of the course. Qualifications/special skillsA master’s degree in urban development / e-learning development / digital content creation or similar is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 5 years of experience in designing capacity building programmes is required. At least 2 years of experience in developing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) and/or self-paced courses is desirable. Experience in research, communication, and drafting skills are required. In-depth knowledge of online knowledge and training hubs is highly desirable. Experience in sustainable urban development, SDGs, local governance, or urban policy is required. Experience in developing online training modules and creating interactive digital learning materials (including multimedia content such as videos, infographics, and animations) is required. o Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex policy content into clear, engaging, and accessible learning materials, are required. o Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex policy content into clear, engaging, and accessible learning materials, are required. o Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex policy content into clear, engaging, and accessible learning materials, are required. LanguagesLanguages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.