African Virtual University Teacher Education Program Editors Jobs in Kenya

African Virtual University (AVU)

Vacancy Notice: Teacher Education Program – Editors

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.

How to Apply

The successful candidates will be appointed for 1 MONTH. This position is home-based.

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 Teacher Education 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).
 

Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted

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