Job Summary

The Project Coordinator for Capacity Building and Digital Content Development will be a key resource person to lead digital content development, devising/contextualizing and executing appropriate capacity building interventions for university and ministry staff relevant to the envisaged E-learning Management System.   In partnership with experts from ASU, the candidate will be responsible for planning and implementing a series of training, coaching and backstopping interventions targeting enhancing knowledge, skills and accessibility of the LMS for the different target groups. S/he will play a key role inthe realization of quality contents for the envisaged digital learning system by actively designing and developing market-driven and student-centered courses and modules. The candidate will closely work with instructional design experts from ASU, MoE, and target universities. The position may have an external  interface  with  the  Education  and training authority,  Telecommunication Service  Providers, relevant ministries of Government of Ethiopia and other partners in the higher education sector. S/he will be a key member of the MoE EthERNet directorate team. The position requires multiple technical and management competencies in the areas of e-learning content development, human resource/user capacity gap analyses and developing/adopting capacity building interventions with the right approach. The ideal candidate is one who demonstrates authoritative understanding of e-learning within the context of Ethiopian Higher Education; its contribution to the quality, affordability and accessibility of education and the ultimate implication of enhancing the employability and entrepreneurial skills of graduates. S/he should be an active team player among experts with different backgrounds and share knowledge with others.

Roles and responsibilities

Capacity Building

• Responsible for assessing existing competency gaps compared to the standards set by ASU to successfully launch and maintain an e-learning management system.
• Responsible for planning and monitoring a series of ToT by target universities in partnership with ASU, university resource persons and MoE EthERNet teammates.
• Coordinate the  implementation  of  a  series  of  capacity  building  (training/on  job  training, coaching and technical backstopping) programs initiated by ASU to address the key gaps addressed for resource center hosting universities.
• Responsible for  knowledge  and  skill  building  to  final  users  namely  students,  faculty  and academic program coordinators about the use and utilization of the new LMS, track feedback and suggest improvements.
• Monitor  development   of   inhouse   capabilities   to   manage   and   scale-up   the   e-learning management system to offer more courses and programs and address any observed gaps by liaising with ASU.
• Support target university teaching staff in providing pedagogically informed practical advice regarding the design and delivery of the online curricula.
• Develop continuous  Capacity  Building  program  strategy  for  scaling-up  digital  education;  to design and develop self-paced e-Learning courses that cover core and support standardization activities.
• Coordinate  and  develop  training  section  on  website,  to  allow  easy  access  to  information, materials and guidance for university teachers and students.

E-Learning Management system

• Take a leading role in defining course catalog settings and requirements for the envisaged LMS.
• Assist the universities in creating new and rapid digital learning solutions (including self-paced e- Learning modules) using the appropriate instructional design models and course authoring tools; to produce the desired changes in behavior, attitude, knowledge and skills needed to enhance employability and entrepreneur skill of graduates.
• Assist academic staff in designing high-quality and sustainable e-learning and online assessment mechanisms; backstop staff in developing and uploading of curriculum for online delivery.
• Responsible to repurposing and transform selected existing content into digital learning assets.
• Further this will support the delivery of blended and virtual learning solutions.
• Closely work with relevant departments within the MoE for integrated quality assurance of courses and programs delivered through the envisaged digital learning platform as per the national standard and requirement.
• Propose a strategy to maintain quality assurance processes and protect the intellectual property of e-learning materials developed at the universities.
• Advice on the implementation of a comprehensive learning analytical framework for digital learning solutions to demonstrate its efficiency and effectiveness.
• Research emerging instructional and learning technologies and make recommendations on when to adopt these to continue to offer the best learning experience possible.
• Lead the development of appropriate guidelines regarding the Implementation of eLearning and LMS

Project Management

• Responsible for smooth implementation of a harmonized project plan, tracking and reporting results using appropriate project management tools and standards.
• Coordinate regular (monthly, quarterly, and yearly) project progress follow-up meetings with partner universities, MoE internal units and participate in similar engagements among project partners.
• Develop or  adopt  various  project  management  tools  and  frameworks  that  could  enhance monitoring, reporting, and learning practices.
• Responsible for  developing  appropriate  communication  and  relationships  with  university management and other departments within the ministry.
• Responsible for creating synergy and alignment of this project with other initiatives and projects
• within the ministry and target universities.
• Prepare Agenda,  Schedule,  Background  Paper,  briefs,  fact  sheets  and  compile  training  and workshop reports.
• Maintain a database of trainers, trainees, and other resource persons in the universities.

Additional Roles

•  Actively participate in the development of a national e-learning policy.
•  Responsible  for  capacity  building  of  the  relevant  MoE  and  university  team  and  ensuring  full teamwork and integration of project work within the mainstream functions of the ministry and universities.
• Undertake other related roles from MoE and other partners as and when needed and ensure complementarity with the new e-learning program.

Job Requirement

Competencies

Technical competencies

• Hands-on experience in higher education curriculum and pedagogy.
• Profound understanding of higher education assessment methods and quality standards.
• Hands-on experience in human resource development/human centered learning.
• Solid knowledge of digital content development for higher education courses/ programs
• Solid understanding of Ethiopian higher education system (policies, strategies, regulations)
• Sound understanding of stakeholders’ management, priorities and interests within the context of Ethiopian higher education.
• Hands on experience in training coordination and facilitation
• Strong knowledge of instructional design models and applying theory to teaching practice and learning experience.
• Proficiency with MS Office tools and basic understanding of multimedia tools
• Outstanding English (spoken and written) language skills

Leadership and management competencies

• Hands-on and pro-active approach with demonstrated adaptability and flexibility.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Mastery in demonstrating personal effectiveness and delivering results in teamwork
• Outstanding skills in planning, organizing, and reporting
• Value differences and diversities while demonstrating constructive assertiveness in leading people towards the result.
• Fast learner, decision-maker, and problem solver
• Ability to perform under pressure with minimal supervision and able to handle multiple tasks at a time in a calm and organized manner.
• Ability to listen and synthesize ideas from wide ranging perspectives and able to come up with a consolidated and implementable plan from such a process

Education, Experience, and language

• Master’s   degree   in  curriculum   and   instructional  design,   educational   technology,  online curriculum development, education planning & management, ICT, and related fields
• At least  8  years  hands  on  experience  in  instructional  designing,  education  and  learning technology, education planning and management, curriculum development and digital learning management system. Of which three years are at management level.
• Proven  working  experience  with  international  partners  and  understanding  of  cross-cultural working norms
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is a must

Benefit and compensation

• Highly attractive with possible career development opportunities

Type of employment :  Project (2022 – 2027)

Duration : One Year with possible extension up to five years

Duty station:  Addis Ababa with frequent travel to regions