The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is an equal opportunity employer.
The successful candidate will be appointed for 6 weeks.
Application must include an application letter and a detailed curriculum vitae with: a
telephone number; email and residential addresses; and names with contact addresses
of three professional references.
Applications should be sent to job@avu.org and must have Instructor – AVU PMCR
Program as the email subject
The successful candidate will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The closing date for this application is April 15th 2015 at 18:00 East African Time
(UTC/GMT + 3)
Vacancy_-_Instructor_-_PMCR_Program
TERMS OF REFERENCE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
The African Virtual University (AVU) – www.avu.org – is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies. A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by eighteen (18) African Governments – Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania Mozambique, and Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria. The AVU has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.
The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts: (a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and (b) development services. The development services, aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following activities: updating and developing content; Open Educational Resources (OER) Development; AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); setup/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.
The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries. The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 21 African countries. The project has the following activities: (1) Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centers and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centers as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions; (2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: ODeL Profession Development (ODeLPD); Teacher Education (TE), Applied Computer Science (ACS), and Peace Management and Conflict Resolution; (3) Gender Mainstreaming (4) Research and Development; (5) Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and (6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity.
Conflicts are unfortunately disrupting socio-economic development in many African countries, hence the need to develop educational programs aiming at sensitize the public on peace management and conflict resolution.
Since the Multinational Project targets fragile states as well as other countries, a Peace Management & Conflict Resolution Program (PM&CR) was included as one of the implementation activities. To this effect, the AVU wishes to engage a highly qualified and experienced Consultant, to facilitate the MOOC on Peace Management and Conflict Resolution.
At this time the AVU is seeking 6 (2 Francophone, 2 Lusophone and 2 Anglophone) experienced instructors with subject matter expertise in the desired topics to deliver the Peace Management and Conflict Resolution modules online. Each module will be delivered during one week for a total workload of 4-6 hours per week. Each PMCR module listed below is equivalent in terms of a 4-6 hour workload:
Module 1 – Introduction to Peace Management
Module 2 – Conflict Mapping and Analysis
Module 3 – Conflict Resolution and Transformation
Module 4 – Peace Management and Preservation
2.0. SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work for each Instructor includes the following activities:
1. Examine the course content with assigned AVU staff member(s) before facilitating the course;
2. Review translated materials (this applies to Francophone and Lusophone instructors)
3. Teach the module content online in accordance with course overview and goals.;
4. Relate practical experience to learning;
5. Maintain online asynchronous or synchronous communication with participants in online discussions to assist them in achieving course objectives;
6. Respond in a clear and well-expressed manner to participants regarding questions and inquiries within 24 hours;
7. Provide regular, accurate, and timely assistance, feedback, and support to participants relative to their performance;
8. Communicate with relevant AVU staff by email, telephone, or online communication tools as needed; in particular, the instructor must provide weekly updates on student progress to assigned AVU staff member(s);
9. Assist designated AVU staff member(s) with the evaluation of courses taught for accuracy and quality and to enhance course design;
10. Assist with the revision of the course;
11. Any other related tasks that may be required.
3.0. CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF PM&CR INSTRUCTORS
• At least a Masters in Social Sciences, preferably in Peace and Security Studies. A PhD will be preferred;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in developing and implementing programs in peace advocacy and security issues, preferably in the African states;
• Relevant Publications;
• Knowledge of social and political dynamics in African countries;
• Experience in the design, delivery and evaluation of online education programs at the university level;
• Knowledge and experience in Learning Management Systems, such as EdCast and Moodle;
• High level of computer literacy (e.g. fully conversant with MS office, some ability to use graphics software);
• Knowledge or awareness of gender issues associated with encouraging the participation of women in education;
• Awareness of Open Education Resources and Creative Commons Licensing;
• Fluency in spoken and written English or French or Portuguese language. Preference will be given to candidates with additional working knowledge of French or Portuguese or English.
• Experience in ODeL materials evaluation will be an asset.
4.0. SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES
● Facilitation of the delivery of the PM&CR assigned modules (2 per instructor);
● Effective communication with participants and AVU staff;
● Evaluation and documentation of the participants’ performance;
● Evaluation of the course materials after delivery.
5.0. DURATION
The duration of this position is 6 weeks.
6.0. REPORTING
The Instructors will work under the supervision of the Manager Academic Programs development and delivery or such other person as the client may designate from time to time in writing.
7.0. PAYMENT
The monthly salary will be commensurate with the qualification and experience of the successful candidate.