Instructional Designer

Organizational Setting

The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) of FAO is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the identification, strengthening and stewardship of strategic partnerships with UN agencies and non-state actors (NSAs) including parliamentarians, civil society, academia and research institutions, family farmers’ and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations. The Division leads FAO’s engagement in the UN Development System repositioning, develops capacities, fosters dialogues, scales up programmes and advocates for FAO’s corporate positions in support of FAO’s new Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It ensures that multi-stakeholder processes and strategic interventions globally and locally are an integral part of FAO’s work and provides targeted support for successful collaboration with NSAs and UN agencies. 
                                                                                                                                         
The Division has the lead responsibility for the promotion of the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI) and the implementation of the Food Coalition, the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028), and the FAO Policy on Indigenous Peoples. It is also in charge of FAO’s e-learning programmes and access to scientific and technical data through knowledge platforms and enhanced information policies and standards, to promote and facilitate knowledge sharing on sustainable food security and nutrition among various stakeholders.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the general guidance of the Leader of the FAO elearning Academy (Capacity Development Officer). 

Technical Focus 

Design learning materials and learning programmes, including e-learning curricula, in the various technical areas related to FAO’s mandate, priorities and strategic framework, and the SDGs.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Undertake learning needs assessments and curricula design processes, through consultative multi-stakeholder workshops for thematic areas related to FAO’s mandate, technical areas and strategic framework.
•    Undertake specific learning needs assessments including job and task analysis, knowledge and skills required by the various target audience groups in coordination with FAO technical units;  
•    Provide subject matter experts technical guidance for the development of technical content and associated materials, and ensure complete subject coverage, content accuracy, quality, coherence and suitability for the development of learning materials. 
•    Apply appropriate learning strategies according to the content, based on adult learning theories and specific quality criteria for the creation of engaging learner centred courses, rich in interactive elements, examples, and case-based scenarios. Low bandwidth criteria must be considered, as well as the use of mobile technologies.
•    Adopt experiential and reflective learning methods and select instructional multimedia to increase learner retention, according to the target audience needs, characteristics, context and environment. 
•    Carry out in depth pedagogical analysis, scenarization of content, and storyboarding, and the creation of job-aids and performance support tools.  
•    Advise technical units on the conversion of face-2-face training materials to digital formats
•    Oversee the production of curricula in close collaboration with subject matter experts, courseware developers and Instructional Technology Specialists.
•    Design blended learning programmes for delivery at global (i.e. MOOC), regional, and national levels in the areas of FAO expertise.
•    Assess learners’ performance and evaluate learning outcomes using the Kirkpatrick evaluation model.

 
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
 
•    University degree in education, distance learning/e-learning, communications, social sciences and/or related field;
•    Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in (i) developing learning products and/or programmes; (ii) instructional design, (iii) delivering learning events, (iv) creation of self-paced e-leaning courses, and (v) the deployment of online curricula; and 
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English and limited knowledge (Level B) of Spanish or French.

 
FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience in designing, developing and evaluating blended learning programmes within the context of international development is highly desirable. 
•    Experience in designing, running and evaluating online and blended learning programmes in collaborative learning environments, including performance measurement assignments and activities, is considered a strong asset.
•    Experience in working with senior technical experts for macro level curriculum design required.
•    Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, as well as gender sensitive and cross-cultural competency. 
•    Ability to operate effectively in a team, contributing positively to team operations and working relationships.