Digital Learning Specialist (Instructional Design) (P003836)

In brief

Overview This role is for a Digital Learning Specialist (Instructional Design) at North West University, specifically for the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine. The position involves providing specialist instructional design and educational development expertise to support the creation, implementation, and refinement of a new 940-credit, integrated, spiral MBChB curriculum. The incumbent will lead curriculum and learning design processes, applying recognised instructional design models and methodologies such as Carpe Diem, constructive alignment, backward design, learning experience design (LXD), and Bloom's Taxonomy. The role ensures curriculum alignment across phases, modules, and years, optimising the use of learning technologies like LOOOP. This specialist will collaborate with the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), phase coordinators, module leads, and subject matter experts to build a coherent curriculum meeting HPCSA accreditation standards, in preparation for the school's first MBChB cohort in 2028. What you will do * Lead and support the design, development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the MBChB curriculum using recognised instructional design methodologies, constructive alignment, appropriate design approaches, and Learning Experience Design (LXD). * Facilitate collaborative curriculum design workshops; develop learning materials, assessments, learning pathways, learning analytics dashboards, LibGuides, resource repositories, and digitally enabled learning experiences within the LMS Brightspace and CMS LOOOP platforms. * Ensure alignment between programme outcomes, module outcomes, learning activities, assessments, and HPCSA accreditation requirements. * Develop, improve, and apply best practices of educational development and continuous learning through participation, collaboration, and consultation with stakeholders. * Provide relevant technical expertise, advice, and application in terms of LMS management and administration, and the implementation and management of information and knowledge infrastructure. * Provide learning design support and technical user support to staff and stakeholders, including the training and onboarding support of software packages and the LMS. * Support the implementation of the NWU’s teaching and learning strategy through research for best practice, project management, curriculum quality assurance, process improvement, benchmarking, documentation, reporting, educational innovation, and accreditation readiness activities. * Contribute to the development of sustainable and scalable learning design practices that enhance student success and institutional effectiveness. Requirements (from the original advert) **Minimum requirements** * A bachelor’s degree in Education (BEd) or Health Sciences NQF level 7. * An honour’s degree or postgraduate diploma in Instructional Design or Information Technology NQF level 8. * A minimum of three (3) years’ instructional design experience in designing curricula or learning materials in a higher education environment. * A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working within a medical or health sciences curriculum context. * A minimum of 1 - 2 years’ experience designing blended or online learning experiences using an LMS. **Added advantages** * A postgraduate diploma in Health Professions Education NQF level 8. * Quality Matters (QM) Certified Peer Reviewer/Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR) certification. * Quality Matters Master Reviewer or equivalent recognised certification in online learning design, instructional design, learning experience design (LXD), curriculum design, or educational technology. * Membership of a relevant organisation such as the South African Association of Health Educationalists (SAAHE). * A minimum of 1 – 2 years’ experience of managing assessment opportunities, including marks management (e.g. OSCEs) in higher education. * A minimum of 1 – 2 years’ experience training or supporting academic staff in teaching, learning, or curriculum design. **Key Functional/Technical Competencies** * Instructional design: Knowledge of instructional design models (e.g. ADDIE, backward design) and principles of adult learning theory. * Curriculum design: Ability to design curricula aligned with outcomes-based education principles and constructive alignment of outcomes, teaching, and assessment. * Medical and health professions education: Understanding of the context, structure, and demands of medical curricula, including clinical training components. * Assessment design: Knowledge of assessment design principles and formats used in medical education (e.g. OSCEs, MCQs, workplace-based assessment). * e-Learning design: Ability to design blended and online learning experiences using learning management system platforms. * Facilitation and training: Ability to facilitate workshops and training sessions for academic staff. * Project management: Ability to plan and manage curriculum development projects; monitors progress and keeps to deadlines; anticipates problems and develops contingency plans. * Communication: Ability to identify and use the most effective medium with due regard to content and intended audience; communicates in a clear, accurate, and concise manner. * Analytical thinking: Ability to analyse curriculum data and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for improvement. **Behavioural Competencies** * Attention to detail. * Innovation, particularly in a resource-constrained environment. * Problem-solving. * Communication skills. * Teamwork. * Adaptability. * Creativity. * Initiative. * Influencing / persuasion or advocacy skills. * Service orientation. * Time management. * Continuous learning and staying abreast of the most recent developments in the field. Who should apply The ideal candidate is an instructional design and educational development specialist with a Bachelor's degree (NQF L7) in Education or Health Sciences, and an Honours degree or postgraduate diploma (NQF L8) in Instructional Design or Information Technology. They should possess a minimum of three years of instructional design experience in higher education curriculum or learning material development, with at least two years specifically within a medical or health sciences curriculum context. Experience (1-2 years) in designing blended or online learning experiences using an LMS is also required. Candidates demonstrating strong functional and technical competencies in instructional design models, curriculum design, medical/health professions education, assessment design, e-learning design, facilitation, project management, communication, and analytical thinking are sought. Desired behavioural traits include attention to detail, innovation, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, creativity, initiative, influencing skills, service orientation, time management, and a commitment to continuous learning. Added advantages include further postgraduate qualifications in Health Professions Education, Quality Matters certifications, membership in relevant professional organisations, and experience in assessment management or training academic staff. Deadline 13th October, 2026 Reference Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/digital-learning-specialist-instructional-design-p003836-north-west-university Source: myjobmag

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