Background

'Note to Applicants: This post is a readvertisement of post number 17034. Previous applicants need not apply.'

UNDP is one of the main development agencies of the United Nations system and operates in over developing 166 countries. The mandate of UNDP is to support countries in achieving their own development objectives, which principally involves helping people to improve their living conditions. Over time some of these development objectives and priorities have evolved, and for the last decade increasing attention has been drawn to helping countries achieve internationally-agreed development targets, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In more recent years these development challenges have also been compounded by multiple global crises (ecological, economic, food, etc.). Operating in such a complex and ever changing global environment, UNDP must constantly improve to remain a relevant and highly valued development partner.

As outlined in its current 2008-2013 Strategic Plan, UNDP’s support to partner countries is targeted to four development focus areas: Poverty Reduction and the Achievement of the MDGs, Democratic Governance, Crisis Prevention and Recovery and Environment and Sustainable Development. Gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral for the achievement of each of the goals in UNDP focus areas. In each of these areas UNDP seeks to provide cutting edge policy advice, technical assistance, advocacy, and programme and project management support that will help countries strengthen their own capacities and achieve their objectives. UNDP also support countries to access global networks of knowledge and expertise, and leverage resources from south-south and other forms of cooperation. The Strategic Plan therefore calls for a robust human resource development strategy and for added investments in strengthening and aligning the human resource capacity of the organization to this mandate and set of objectives.

As a key component of the HR strategy, UNDP is seeking to develop and introduce a new training course focused on enhancing staff skills in managing for development results. The course will include content covering programme and project management; results based management, gender analysis, capacity development, and other core themes essential to managing for development results. The course is intended to strengthen the capacity of UNDP’s programme staff and selected national counterparts/partners to undertake effective results-oriented programming.

In this regard, UNDP is seeking to hire a Curriculum Development Specialist to work with an internal team of staff to develop and implement this global training programme on Managing for Development Results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the Deputy Chief Learning Resources Center (LRC) and in collaboration with the Managing for Development Results (MfDR) training team's project manager, the curriculum development specialist  will lead the design and development of an instructionally sound and engaging online MfDR training course for UNDP staff members.

More specifically, the curriculum development specialist will undertake the following:

Scoping tasks

• Conduct an initial assessment of UNDP’s business requirements
• Conduct a preliminary review of existing and relevant learning materials related to managing for development results within UNDP  .
• Carry out a brief needs assessment to determine the training requirements of targeted staff.
• Execute research on best practice from other organizations on delivering virtual training to staff. Emphasis should be placed on benchmarking against other UN and international development agencies and comparable organizations.

Design and development tasks

• Assist in refining the project objectives and intended results for this training initiative, including content scope, duration, and sequencing of components.
• Establish a cross-functional team to collaborate on the development of the learning course utilizing the principles of adult learning and instructional design
• Manage the development of the learning curricula and delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism includes the training systems and tools, teaching methodologies and support material.
• Supervise and assist in directing the work of subject matter experts and resource trainers and ensure compliance with curriculum standards and best practices.
• Coordinate the initial testing of the course
• Establish a methodology/framework for measuring the effectiveness of the training, including methods for skills assessment and any recommendations for longitudinal tracking.

Expected Deliverables

• Inception report outlining approach to the assignment together with a schedule and best-estimate budget for key components/activities.
• A more detailed project management report - with more clearly defined actions and outputs; implementation timeline and itemized budget. 
• Brief report on best practices from other international development agencies and comparable organizations.
• An integrated curriculum for the global course on Managing for Development Results. The curricula should set out the teaching methodologies, support materials, instructional aides, review and feedback mechanisms, and assessment methodology required for an effective and engaging course.
• A final report recommending appropriate online systems and tools or blended delivery mechanisms to support the MfDR course.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

• Knowledge of adult learning principles and communication styles
• Knowledge of instructional design methodologies
• Knowledge of training measurement and assessment/evaluation techniques
• Excellent planning and facilitation skills
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and flexibly.
• Ability to research, analyze and present complex information
• Ability to establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook
• Knowledge of gender-sensitive planning, monitoring and evaluation for gender equality results would be advantageous.

Required Skills and Experience

• Masters degree in Education, Business Administration, or other related social science discipline.
• At least 7 years of international experience in a development field of which 5 or more years of experience in curricula development in the following activities is required, on-line course design and deployment, and design and implementation of blended learning systems, in either public or private sector international organizations. Experience working with a global learning management system highly desirable.
• Extensive hands-on experience and knowledge of learning systems.
• Experience in managing the development and deployment of training courses and systems desirable.
• Understanding of programming and project management concepts, including results based management; gender analysis etc would be advantageous.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in Spanish and French an asset.

Other considerations;

• There are minimal or no travel expectations associated with this assignment. However, the incumbent should be able to and willing to travel to any of UNDP's country offices for the purposes of this assignment, if required.
• Assignment will be billed monthly based on a daily rate. The daily rate is payable against actual working days dedicated to the project.