African
Virtual University (AVU)
Vacancy Notice: Instructional Multimedia / Web Interns - (ET&LR) Unit
2 Position
Vacancy Notice: Instructional Multimedia / Web Interns - (ET&LR) Unit
2 Position
1.0.
Introduction
AVU: 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.
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 2014-2019 has two main thrusts: (a) The educational and support
services; and (b) development services.
The most
important aspect of the plan is the escalation of the educational and support
services which focuses on escalating academic programs through the new AVU
project also known as full-fledged University project.
The AVU
plans to focus on increasing access to quality education and throughout the
African continent in collaboration with state members and partner institutions.
AVU is
currently engaged in a Multinational Project II, funded by the African
Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 21 African countries with 27
participating institutions.
Background
to ET&LR: The
Educational Technology & Learning Resources (ET&LR) unit at AVU
coordinates the various Open Distance and eLearning activities of the
Multinational Project Phase II.
The
ET&LR unit is currently looking for two Instructional Multimedia / Web
Interns to assist in the upload of multimedia learning resources to learning
management systems.
These
positions are also intended to help African youth gain practical experience to
help transition to the workplace.
2.0. Scope of Work
The
ET&LR Instructional Multimedia/Web Interns will help AVU staff perform the
following functions:
- Uploading
multimedia learning content on Learning Management Systems (LMS) in
English, French and Portuguese;
- Preparing
the various online assessment tools in the LMS for course delivery an
facilitation;
- Ensuring
that the appropriate content layout is followed;
- Testing
uploaded content for navigability, layout, hyperlinking and readiness for
delivery;
- Converting
files to various formats to ensure availability of print, digital and
multimedia formats;
- Ensuring
appropriate copyright and Creative Commons license is applied to
materials;
- Liaising
with Instructional Design and Information and Communication staff members
to ensure timely and rigorous upload of content to the LMS;
- Performing
other duties that may from time to time be assigned by the supervisor.
3.0.
Qualifications
- Studies
in ICT, Computer Science or related (preference will be given to
candidates with completed or almost completed Bachelor degrees);
- Fluent
in English (knowledge of French or Portuguese as an added advantage);
- Familiarity
with online learning;
- Knowledge
in programming languages such as PHP, HTML 5 and Java;
- Knowledge
in Web Server Technologies such as apache and MYSQL database will be an
added advantage.
- Keen
on and pays attention to detail; Ability to learn quickly and work well
within a team;
- Excellent
organizational skills and ability to determine priorities and meet
multiple deadlines;
- Flexibility
and a can-do approach to tasks and the ability to adapt to a changing and
challenging environment.
4.0.
Modalities of Work: The
ET&LR Media Interns are expected to work during office hours from Monday to
Friday 09:00 am to 05:30pm.
5.0
Duration: The
positions for the two ET&LR Interns are for period of three months with
possibility of extension.
6.0
Reporting: The
ET&LR Interns will report to and be supervised by the Manager of ET&LR
and will work closely with other AVU staff members.
Vacancy
Notice: Teacher Education Program – Editors
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
i. AVU: 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 nineteen (19) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali,
Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin,
Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, The Gambia,
Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and Cape Verde.
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 2014-2019 has two main thrusts: (a) The educational and support services; and (b) development services.
The most
important aspect of the plan is the escalation of the educational and support
services which focuses on escalating academic programs through the new AVU
project also known as full-fledged University project.
The AVU
plans to focus on increasing access to quality education and throughout the
African continent in collaboration with state members and partner institutions.
Background to Teacher Education Program
The AVU
Teacher Education Program (TEP) was developed and delivered within a wider
project funded by the African Development Bank between 2005 and 2011.
The program
aimed at enabling AVU's Partner Institutions (PIs) to collaboratively design,
develop, deliver and manage their own Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL)
programs.
The Teacher
Education Program focuses on the development of “modules” in Biology,
Chemistry, Physics, Maths, education, ICT Basic Skills for teachers, and
Teacher Professional Development. Each module provides an outline and study
notes for the delivery of a course of instruction by the participating
institutions.
A total of
73 modules were developed and translated to ensure availability in English,
French and Portuguese.
These
modules have also been made available as open education resources (OER) on
oer.avu.org, and have been accessed over 2 million times in the last two
years.
That said,
even open educational resources require updating, new knowledge needs to be
infused, links and data need to be updated, and any confusions in presentation
or errors in translations need to be corrected.
At
this time the AVU is seeking to edit the Teacher Education modules.
See list of
modules in annex 1
II. Scope of Work for the Editor
Editors
editing the modules will be expected to:
1. Verify that
the learning materials were designed according to the prescribed Module
Development Template.
2. Edit the
modules allocated according to checklist provided in one of the three
functional languages of the AVU (English, French and Portuguese), incorporating
any missing relevant and necessary information.
3. Consult
with the designated AVU team, for each module to come to a consensus of
required changes and updates to the module and based on the elements in the
checklist before incorporating any changes to the module.
4. Ensure that
each learning object has a well spelled out objective that is in line with the
learning object content and that the content is accurate and aligned with the
module content from which the learning object was extracted.
5. Edit the
module writing to ensure that it is specific, clear, and simple.
6. Edit the
language and media use for gender equality.
7. Ensure that
adequate instructional strategies have been implemented such that there are
sufficient tasks and assessments for developing skills and appropriate
pedagogical approaches.
8. Check links
to see if they are active and to determine whether the web sites are suitable
for the activities in question.
9. Verify
whether copyright laws, Fair Use, and Creative Commons practices are respected.
10. Ensure
correctness and reliability of all the information included in the module.
11. Apply
information and abide by guidelines provided by the AVU regarding procedures,
tool use and deadlines.
12. At the end
of editing phase, proofread the final edited module and ensure smooth flow of
content, in order to establish that the content is correct and complete.
13. Self-evaluate
the editing process by filling the evaluation form provided.
III.
Qualification of the Editors
1. A Bachelor
degree in the relevant field is required. A Masters or PhD would be preferred.
2. Experience
in curriculum development.
3. Research
and publications in the relevant area.
4. Minimum of
five years of experience in teaching at University level.
5. Expertise
in distance education is an added advantage.
6. Excellent
working and communication skills in English, French, or Portuguese.
IV.
Specific Deliverables
- Flagged/tracked
changes in edited modules
- Edited
and refined modules submitted to a designated AVU staff.
V. Expected
Outcomes
The Editors
are expected to:
- Communicate
at least twice a week with the AVU team to give progress reports and seek
assistance as needed.
- Respond
to AVU team within 24 hours to address issues related to the editing
processes, principles, tools or guidelines clarified, as the need arises.
vi.
Modalities of Work
Editors
editing the modules will be expected to:
- Work
flexibly as individuals within one month under the supervision of the AVU
team.
- Edit
the module(s) attributed to them in terms of content quality and
completeness; instructional strategies; language accuracy, clarity and
simplicity, gender-fair use of language; copyright, Fair Use, and Creative
Commons compliance.
- Edit
and discuss their views with designated AVU staff before incorporating the
views in the module to refine it.
- Submit
a refined version of the module to the AVU team.
vii.
Timelines: The editor
will complete the work within one month starting from the time the work is
allocated.
This process involves editing activities, completion of the editor’s checklist, and communication to obtain information about the editing process, guidelines and tools.
Thus
editors will be expected to edit a minimum of 4 modules per week and 16 modules
in one month.
viii. Reporting: The editor will report to the AVU Project Manager.
ix. Payment
Schedules: An
honorarium of $100 shall be paid to the Editors after every submission of an
edited module to AVU, and subsequent approval by, the AVU team.
Vacancy
Notice: Applied Computer Science Program – Editors
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
AVU: 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 nineteen (19) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali,
Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin,
Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, The Gambia,
Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and Cape Verde.
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 2014-2019 has two main thrusts: (a) The educational and support
services; and (b) development services.
The most
important aspect of the plan is the escalation of the educational and support
services which focuses on escalating academic programs through the new AVU
project also known as full-fledged University project.
The AVU
plans to focus on increasing access to quality education and throughout the
African continent in collaboration with state members and partner institutions.
i.
Background to the Applied Computer Science Program
This
program has been developed collaboratively by eighteen (18) participating
institutions from Lusophone, Francophone and Anglophone African Countries.
The Program’s implementation is planned in 5 main activities: policy harmonization and curriculum contextualization, quality assurance, curriculum design, content development, and program delivery.
Having accomplished the first three steps of
(i) Policy
Harmonization and Curriculum Contextualization Workshop in July 2012,
(ii)
quality assurance being a continuous process; (iii) the Curriculum Design;
(iv) and
the content development process.
The AVU is
planning the completion of the content development process by editing the
modules already authored.
Each language group has a total of 54 modules drawn from technical computer science courses, non-technical general education components (math, communications etcetera) and guidelines for practical projects and for internships. In total, there are 162 modules.
II. The
ACSP Module Editing Process
ACSP
editors will be selected from among qualified candidates who apply for the
advertised editing of ACSP modules positions by the AVU.
Recruitment
of Editors is to be done from among the shortlisted candidates.
Editors
will be supervised by the AVU team and supported by the AVU Instructional
Designer for the Program.
This work will be done in Portuguese, French, and English languages. See list of modules in annex 2. To this effect, editors will be working in groups of three.
There will
be four editors from each language group to edit the content for each course.
In total, there will be 12 editors.
iii. Scope of Work for the Editor
Editors
editing the modules will be expected to:
1. Verify that
the learning materials were designed according to the prescribed Module
Development Template.
2. Edit the
modules allocated according to checklist provided in one of the three
functional languages of the AVU (English, French and Portuguese), incorporating
any missing relevant and necessary information.
3. Consult
with the designated AVU team, for each module to come to a consensus of
required changes and updates to the module and based on the elements in the
checklist before incorporating any changes to the module.
4. Ensure that
each learning object has a well spelled out objective that is in line with the
learning object content and that the content is accurate and aligned with the
module content from which the learning object was extracted.
5. Edit the
module writing to ensure that it is specific, clear, and simple.
6. Edit the
language and media use for gender equality.
7. Ensure that
adequate instructional strategies have been implemented such that there are
sufficient tasks and assessments for developing skills and appropriate
pedagogical approaches.
8. Check links
to see if they are active and to determine whether the web sites are suitable
for the activities in question.
9. Verify
whether copyright laws, Fair Use, and Creative Commons practices are respected.
10. Ensure
correctness and reliability of all the information included in the module.
11. Apply
information and abide by guidelines provided by the AVU regarding procedures,
tool use and deadlines.
12. At the end
of editing phase, proofread the final edited module and ensure smooth flow of
content, in order to establish that the content is correct and complete.
13. Self-evaluate
the editting process by filling the evaluation form provided.
iv.
Qualification of the Editors
1. A Bachelor
degree in the relevant field is required. A Masters or PhD would be preferred.
2. Experience
in curriculum development.
3. Research
and publications in the relevant area.
4. Minimum of
five years of experience in teaching at University level.
5. Expertise
in distance education is an added advantage.
6. Excellent
working and communication skills in English, French, or Portuguese.
v. Specific
Deliverables
1. Flagged/tracked
changes in edited modules
2. Edited and
refined modules submitted to a designated AVU staff.
vi.
Expected Outcomes
The Editors
are expected to:
1. Communicate
at least twice a week with the AVU team to give progress reports and seek
assistance as needed.
2. Respond to
AVU team within 24 hours to address issues related to the editing processes,
principles, tools or guidelines clarified, as the need arises.
vii.
Modalities of Work
Editors
editing the modules will be expected to:
1. Work
flexibly as individuals within one month under the supervision of the AVU team.
2. Edit the
module(s) attributed to them in terms of content quality and completeness;
instructional strategies; language accuracy, clarity and simplicity,
gender-fair use of language; copyright, Fair Use, and Creative Commons
compliance.
3. Edit and
discuss their views with designated AVU staff before incorporating the views in
the module to refine it.
4. Submit a
refined version of the module to the AVU team.
viii.
Timelines: The editor
will complete the work within one month starting from the time the work is
allocated.
This process involves editing activities, completion of the editor’s checklist, and communication to obtain information about the editing process, guidelines and tools.
Thus
editors will be expected to edit a minimum of 4 modules per week and 16 modules
in one month.
ix.
Reporting: The editor
will report to the AVU Project Manager.
Payment
Schedules: An
honorarium of $100 shall be paid to the Editors after every submission of an
edited module to AVU, and subsequent approval by, the AVU team.
How to Apply
Application must include an application letter and detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email; and names with contact addresses of three professional references.
How to Apply
Application must include an application letter and detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email; and names with contact addresses of three professional references.
Applications
should be sent to job@avu.org and must have APPLIED COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM -
EDITORS as the email subject
The closing
date for this application is July 4th 2016 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT
+ 3).
The African
Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is an equal opportunity employer.
The successful candidates will be appointed for 1 MONTH.
This
position is home-based.
Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted