Instructional Designer

Role Overview

The Instructional Designer will create adaptable learning programmes for CfA’s Academy, working with internal teams, subject-matter experts, university partners, newsrooms and civil society organisations. The role turns learning needs into modular courses and practical resources for online study, workshops and offline delivery, helping partners tailor materials to different learners and settings.

Courseware will be designed for academy.AFRICA and, where suitable, platforms such as Coursera and Udemy. The designer will also review learner data and feedback to improve course quality, accessibility and effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with programme teams and external experts to plan modular, task-based curricula that support independent learning and instructor-led teaching.
• Assess learner needs and develop measurable objectives, course sequences, practical activities and assessments that address them.
• Create web-based and multimedia learning materials, including interactive lessons, videos, infographics, audio resources and assessment content.
• Prepare supporting resources such as facilitator guides, participant handbooks, exercises, assignments, user instructions and toolkits.
• Adapt online master curricula for workshops and offline use, producing presentation materials and accessible resources suited to low-bandwidth contexts.
• Use generative AI appropriately to assist with research, drafting, assessment development, localisation and production workflows; verify outputs for accuracy, originality, accessibility and cultural relevance.
• Coordinate with trainers and subject-matter experts, and develop a network of specialists who can contribute to course writing, review or teaching.
• Track enrolment, engagement, completion and learner feedback across MOOCs and webinar programmes, then recommend improvements based on the findings.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications or substantial demonstrated expertise in learning sciences, instructional design, MOOC development, learning technologies, information architecture, evidence-based education or a related area.
• Experience creating multimedia and web-based learning content for an LMS; familiarity with WordPress LearnDash or a comparable platform is preferred.
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, engaging, inclusive and conversational learning materials.
• Experience assessing training needs, defining measurable learning objectives, and developing course outlines, storyboards or learning journeys.
• Practical knowledge of generative AI for learning design and content development, including effective prompting, output verification, confidentiality and responsible use.
• Excellent attention to detail and visual quality, combined with the creativity to make learning materials engaging and consistent.
• Ability to work independently, organise competing priorities and deliver across multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong English proficiency. French and/or Arabic is an advantage. Candidates may be based remotely in Africa, Asia, the Middle East or Europe.

What We Offer / Why Join

Contribute to capacity-building programmes developed with more than 30 African universities, newsrooms and civil society organisations. The role offers the opportunity to create learning resources that can be adapted across online courses, university partnerships, facilitator-led workshops and offline settings.

Candidates with experience designing large-scale e-learning programmes or MOOCs on platforms such as Coursera, edX or Udemy; developing learning for mobile messaging channels; or repurposing content for self-paced, tutor-led and blended formats will bring valuable additional experience. Multimedia production skills and familiarity with tools such as Canva, InDesign, VideoScribe, audio editors, Slack, Google Drive and Trello are also beneficial, as is experience collaborating remotely across time zones.