Consultant for Online Course Development

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) is an organization established to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. It focuses on various initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable urbanization and inclusive development. UNESCWA works closely with national and local governments to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly emphasizing Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The organization has a significant presence in the Arab region and collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance urban development practices.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in developing two self-paced interactive online courses aimed at enhancing urban development knowledge among local governments and urban practitioners in the Arab region. The first course, 'Voluntary Local Reviews in Practice: Tools and Guidelines for Arab Cities,' focuses on transforming existing guidelines into an engaging online learning experience that empowers local authorities to effectively monitor and implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. The second course, 'Rethinking Quality of Life in Cities,' aims to center urban development around people's well-being, exploring various dimensions of quality of life and how they contribute to creating livable and equitable cities. The consultant will be responsible for adapting existing materials into course-ready formats, drafting scripts, storylines, and assessments, and ensuring effective knowledge transfer through collaboration with UNESCWA’s teams for multimedia integration and interactive exercises.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include adapting the Practical Guidelines for Voluntary Local Reviews and materials related to Quality of Life into engaging course content tailored for local governments and urban practitioners. They will review and incorporate additional resources from UNESCWA and UN-Habitat to strengthen the course content, ensuring coherence with the guidelines and alignment with learning objectives. The consultant will design the course structure, script, and storyboard, ensuring a logical flow and alignment with ESCWA’s urban development objectives. They will draft and prepare course-ready materials, including scripts, storylines, learning objectives, and text for multimedia elements, ensuring clarity, consistency, and accessibility. The consultant will also develop content for assessment tools, review the integrated course on UNESCWA’s Moodle platform, and provide feedback to ensure functional coherence and ease of navigation. Additionally, they will support other digital learning initiatives on sustainable urban development as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master’s degree in urban development, e-learning development, digital content creation, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in designing capacity-building programs is required, along with at least 2 years of experience in developing Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) or self-paced courses. Strong communication and storytelling skills are essential, with the ability to translate complex policy content into clear and engaging learning materials. In-depth knowledge of online knowledge and training hubs, as well as experience in sustainable urban development, SDGs, local governance, or urban policy, is highly desirable. Experience in developing online training modules and creating interactive digital learning materials, including multimedia content, is also required.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in urban development, e-learning development, digital content creation, or a similar field is required for this position. Candidates must submit a copy of their educational degree as part of the application process, and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of experience in designing capacity-building programs, with a preference for candidates who have at least 2 years of experience in developing MOOCs or self-paced courses. Candidates should also have experience in research, communication, and drafting skills, as well as a strong background in sustainable urban development and local governance.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations and ESCWA. Candidates must demonstrate fluency in all four areas of language proficiency: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Knowledge of French is also beneficial but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote and expected to last for 15 weeks. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Candidates should be aware that the organization does not request information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.