Instructional Media Technologists

Vacancy: AVU Instructional Media Technologists - Multimedia / Web

Introduction: The African Virtual University (AVU) 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, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Ghana, Republic of 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 African Development Bank is funding a Multinational Project 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) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions;

(2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, and Peace 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 .

The AVU Multinational Project II will be implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (3) Lusophone African Countries: Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and nine (9) Anglophone African Countries: Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania.

Currently the AVU is conducting Phase II of a Multinational Project funded by the African Development Bank to revise 85 open distance and elearning courses developed in Phase I, and to create 60 new courses for Teacher Education and Applied Computer Science.

To this end the AVU is searching for three skilled instructional media Technologists/developers.

Instructional Media Technologist – Multimedia / Web

Working as part of a media development team within the Educational Technology and Learning Resources Division, the primary responsibility of the Multimedia / Web Technologist is to help course developers plan and produce instructional multimedia presentations for delivery over the internet, mobile devices or from other media. Moving files to the learning management system and maintaining repository files.

Secondary responsibilities will include promotional materials, care of equipment, and assisting other members of the Educational Technology and Learning Resources Unit.

Scope of Work

Develop, plan, produce, edit and distribute instructional multimedia (70%)
    •    Provide support to the Instructional Design Team in the analysis and planning of potential instructional projects
    •    Participate in preproduction, production, and post-production of digital multimedia
    •    Develop templates for media presentations and questions for use by instructors
    •    Upload content into the Learning Management System (Moodle)
    •    Install and maintain a test-item bank
    •    Convert file to various formats to ensure availability of print, digital and multimedia formats.
    •    Assist in the development and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation and reporting mechanism for multimedia activities
    •    Assist in developing and presenting workshops related to the use of multimedia, test bans and LMS for Open, Distance and eLearning.
    •    Convert media to the proper formats for online or print distribution
    •    Ensure appropriate copyright and Creative Commons license is applied to materials
    •    Maintain a repository of digital materials in SCORM format
    •    Assist in the day-to-day quality control of digital media produced by AVU.
Develop, install and maintain digital video equipment and media (15%)
    •    Assist in the selection, procurement and care of production equipment including cameras, scanners, and sound equipment.
    •    Assist in the selection, procurement and care of a digital authoring suite and associated supplies
    •    Maintain and track inventory of related AVU equipment and supplies
    •    Order new consumable (media, batteries etcetera) s as required
    •    Manage the back-up of work files, archiving and other safe storage of media files.
Supporting other Media Technologists, instructors and AVU personnel (15%)
    •    Assist other members of the AVU team with planning and production of a variety of instructional and promotional media.
    •    Assist faculty in the use of a multimedia studio for creation of web-casts, video vignettes, and multimedia productions.
Expected Deliverables
    •    Effective creation of digital media for instruction and promotion
    •    Effective supervision of media teams in production and post-production activities
    •    Procurement and installation of an appropriate suite of equipment and software for in-house or on location production, for post-production editing and for distribution.
    •    Timely and relevant reports on the tracking of media productions
    •    Secure and well-organized storage and archiving of digital media and equipment.
Qualifications
    •    Degree in Media Production or Educational Technology or related discipline
    •    Experience planning and producing digital media for instruction.
    •    Computer skills: Microsoft Office, Screen capture, digital editing, knowledge of a multimedia authoring program an asset
    •    Knowledge of media standards including SCORM and QTI
    •    Internet skills related to planning and distributing instructional media
    •    Understanding of close captioning methods
    •    Knowledge of Learning Management Systems such as Moodle an asset
    •    Strong organizational experience to plan, script and produce instructional materials and to manage multiple projects simultaneously
    •    Experience in Open Distance and Online Learning an asset
    •    Experience building and leading production teams.
    •    Must be fluent in English. Preference will be given to candidates capable in working in additional languages of French and Portuguese.
Modalities of Work: The Instructional Media Technologist – Multimedia/Web will dedicate 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.

This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and requires occasional travel to other African countries.

Duration: 2 years renewable

Reporting: The Instructional Media Technologist – Multimedia/Web will report to the AVU Manager of Educational Technology and Learning Resources, or such other person as AVU may designate from time to time.

Teamwork is of the essence and the incumbent will closely coordinate activities with Instructional Designers and other members of the Multi-National Project Team.

How to Apply

The African Virtual University (AVU) is an equal opportunity employer.

The successful candidate will be appointed for 2 years renewable and will be based at the AVU Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Application must include an application letter and 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 Instructional Media Technologist – Multimedia / Web as the email subject.

The closing date for this application is February 12th 2014 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3)

Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Website: www.avu.org