UNDP Jobs - 57208- E-learning Instructional Designer

E-learning Instructional Designer

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

18-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Nine months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

By end-2013, some 140+ countries have accessed the GEF’s Biodiversity Enabling Activities (BD EA) with the aim of updating their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and fulfilling other related obligations under the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). The new generation of NBSAPs being now produced will be aligned with the Aichi Targets that were agreed upon by CBD Parties during the COP10 in Nagoya, as part of the CBD’s Strategic Plan.

The work at hand relates to Aichi Target 17, which predicates the development, adoption and initial implementation of NBSAPs as effective policy instruments for biodiversity mainstreaming. Target 17 relates to all other Aichi Targets with respect to biodiversity policy development.

UNDP and UNEP are the two main GEF agencies for BD EA. They noted that countries that accessed GEF funds for preparing their Post-Nagoya NBSAPs count on uneven levels of technical support for the task, in spite of current and growing demand for support services within the framework of their BD EA. Most countries receive only basic technical and operational support, while others, in particular those that accessed GEF funding directly, receive no support at all. Yet, experience shows that support is vital for a successful outcome of policy-oriented projects.

Through close collaboration, UNDP and UNEP obtained GEF funding for a new and joint global initiative that will address the technical support issue and thereby make a key contribution to the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Target 17 at the global level. Refer to the approved UNPD-UNEP Medium Size Project (in the GEF’s page and to the complete MSP file).

The project, will cement the ‘NBSAP global partnership’, together with the CBD Secretariat, a key partner in the equation. It will also provide quality and focused technical support to all countries that have accessed—or will access—GEF resources for BD EA. An important mechanism for support provision in the context of this partnership is the NBSAP Forum.

Given its global nature, the project is implemented directly by UNDP, more specifically by the functional cluster ‘Ecosystem & Biodiversity’ (EBD) within UNDP-GEF. Project implementation will be carried out in close collaboration with UNEP, in particular with UNEP’s centre of excellence, World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), plus other relevant UNEP GEF division.

UNDP would like to engage a qualified service provider to fully design up to 6 E-learning modules and deliver them in ready to launch state. The required tasks are described in this TOR.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The overall purpose of this assignment is to design, develop and launch the user-friendly and pedagogically effective e-learning modules that relate to the NBSAPs and protected area management, and whose content will be prepared by subject matter experts. Similar e-learning modules to those proposed to be developed, can be found at https://www.conservationtraining.org/

Key tasks

It is expected that the E-learning Instructional designer will conduct the following activities:

Develop 6 e-learning modules (per language) based on the provided e-scripts, including tools and materials;
Localize the e-learning into English, French and Spanish;
Present a prototype of the modules and description of how they will be incorporated in the NBSAP Forum (http://nbsapforum.net/).

The scope of each module:

Seat time/number of screens/text words per module (varies, but on average approximately 50,000 words per module, with 3 to 5 lessons, averaging 15-20k words each), average 30 screens per lesson;
Number of animated graphic simulations/scenarios, up to 3 per module;
Number of activities/practice exercises and assessments, up to 12 per module;
No hosting required.

Each e-learning module should consist of approximately 3 to 5 lessons that could range from 30 – 45 minutes in length.

The design and development of all 6 modules shall be based on e-learning scripts, which may include photos, maps and other freely sharable media. Most of the content, like photos, maps etc., will be provided by UNDP. However, the Instructional designer shall provide his/her own content as well.

The target audience may vary in responsibility and educational level. Most of the target audience is technical, but not all, and not necessarily in the subject matter of ‘biodiversity’. NBSAP stakeholder would often come from the following sectors, groups or segments of society: Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable agriculture, Climate change, Tourism, Non-governmental Organizations, Non-governmental Organizations, National Finance and Budgeting, Women’s organizations, Sustainable development, Energy, Fisheries, Forestry, Indigenous and local community organizations.

Key Deliverables:

The consultant shall deliver:

High Level Design Document and Project Plan;
One Prototype that would be used to develop all 6 e-learning modules;
Six user friendly and fully functional e-learning modules. Each of the 6 e-learning modules shall be in English, Spanish and French language.

Implementation phase:

Implementation phase; Estimated working days

High level design document and project plan; 3 days;
1x Prototype; 8 days;
Storyboard 1; 5 days;
Design of E- learning module 1 in English - 3 days;
Localize the E- learning module 1 in French and Spanish - 1.5 days;
Testing of E-learning module 1 - 1.5 days;
Storyboard 2 - 5 days;
Design of E- learning module 2 in English - 3 days;
Localize the E- learning module 2 in French and Spanish - 1.5 days;
Testing of E-learning module 2 - 1.5 days;
Storyboard 3 - 5 days;
Design of E-learning module 3 in English - 3 days.
Localize the E-learning module 3 in French and Spanish; 1.5 days.
Testing of E-learning module 3 - 1.5 days;
Storyboard 4 - 5 days;
Design of E-learning module 4 in English - 3 days;
Localize the E-learning module 4 in French and Spanish - 1.5 days;
Testing of E-learning module 4 - 1.5 days;
Storyboard 5 - 5 days;
Design of E-learning module 5 in English - 3 days;
Localize the E-learning module 5 in French and Spanish - 1.5 days;
Testing of E-learning module 5 - 1.5 days;
Storyboard 6 - 5 days;
Design of E-learning module 6 in English - 3 days;
Localize the E-learning module 6 in French and Spanish - 1.5 days;
Testing of E-learning module 6 - 1.5 days;
Review of all scripts, and conversion to interactive, scenario-based learning - 10 days.

Total: 87 days.

Each phase is subject to approval by EBD Senior Technical Advisor – up to 5 days.
Key Performance Indicators:

Timely delivery of High level design document and project plan, prototype and each e-learning module - (1) >90% Completed within timeframe - Excellent - (2) 80-90% completed - Satisfactory - (3) less than 80% completed: Poor;
Timely processing of comments received from EBD Senior Technical Advisor within 3 days - (1) >90% Completed within timeframe: Excellent; (2) 80-90% completed: Satisfactory - (3) less than 80% completed - Poor;

Working Arrangements:

Estimated level of effort is 87 days;
The consultant will work from home;
The consultant will report to, and be directly supervised by, the Senior Technical Advisor Ecosystems and Biodiversity;
The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
Modules will have already been translated into the respective languages. The consultant will not be responsible for this;
The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection;
The consultant is required to have all the equipment, software packages and licenses necessary to execute this assignment, including the e-learning software;
Payments will be made upon submission of a certification of payment form, and acceptance and approval of satisfactory delivery of outputs by the EBD Senior Technical Advisor.

Schedule of payments

Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion and acceptance of the deliverables by the Supervisor as per below percentages:

Submission and approval of High Level Design Document and Project Plan (10%) within 3 days from contract signature;
Prototype (12%) within 8 days from approval of High Level Design Document and Project Plan;
Submission and approval of Module 1 (12%) within 2 months from Prototype approval;
Submission and approval of Module 2 (12%) within 2 months from Prototype approval;
Submission and approval of Module 3 (12%) within 2 months from Prototype approval;
Submission and approval of Module 4 (12%) within 7 months from Module 1, 2, & 3 approval;
Submission and approval of Module 5 (12%) within 7 months from Module 1, 2, & 3 approval;
Submission and approval of Module 6 (12%) within 7 months from Module 1, 2, & 3 approval;
Satisfactory closure of the Web-based learning solutions and all testing completed and approved (6%) within 9 days from Module 4, 5, & 6 approval.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the assignment;
Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
Consultant must be familiar with Articulate Storyline, Lector and Adobe Captive e-learning module software.

Client Orientation:

Informed and transparent decision making;
Researches potential solutions to meet client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate manner;
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet needs and deadlines;
Anticipates needs and addresses them promptly.
Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
Quick response to identifying and resolving discrepancies.

Teamwork:

Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
Quality/accuracy in information transfer

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology/Computer Science, Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communications and/or media, web design or other related field is required (max 10 points);
Master’s degree in Information Technology/Computer Science, Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communications and/or media, web design or other related field is plus (max 5 points).

Experience:

At least 5 years of work experience in the field of eLearning design (max 5 points);
Demonstrated work experience in Instructional design (max 5 points);
Work experience with Articulate Storyline, Lectora Inspire and Adobe Captive (max 5 points);
Experience developing e-learning products for UN, International/Global Organizations, giving special attention to multiculturalism, language, and geographic diversity and gender sensitivity an advantage (max 5 points).

Language:

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English language (max 5 points)

Evaluation method:

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated;
Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the technical criteria will be weighted at 70% and the financial offer will be weighted at 30%;
The technical criteria (education, experience, languages [max 40 points], test [max 25 points] and submission of work samples [max 10 points]) will be based on a maximum 75 points. Only the top 3 candidates that have achieved a minimum of 28 points from the review of the education, experience, languages will be considered for the test and submission of work samples;
Applicants obtaining 70% of the combined total technical points (education, experience, languages, test and submission of work samples) will be considered for financial evaluation;
Financial score (max 100 points) shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal of those technically qualified;
The financial proposal shall specify a lump sum fee. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal must additionally include a breakdown of this daily fee (including number of anticipated working days and all foreseeable expenses to carry out the assignment);
Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

Documentation required:

Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) to be downloaded from the link below;
Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application.

Kindly note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach). Incomplete applications will not be considered.General Conditions of Contract for the ICs
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf

UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc