Instructional Designer at Code for Africa (CfA)

Required: minimum requirements include:

• Relevant qualifications or significant demonstrated expertise in learning sciences, particularly MOOC design, instructional design, learning technologies, information architecture, evidence-based education, or a related field.
• Experience developing multimedia and web-based instructional materials for Learning Management Systems, preferably WordPress LearnDash or a similar platform.
• Ability to write clear, engaging, inclusive, and conversational learning content.
• Experience conducting training needs assessments, writing measurable learning objectives, and storyboarding course outlines and learning journeys.
• Working knowledge of generative AI tools for learning design and content development, including the ability to write effective prompts, fact-check outputs, protect sensitive information, and use AI responsibly.
• Ability to apply creativity while maintaining excellent attention to detail and consistency.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and organise work effectively across competing timelines and schedules.

Preferred: candidates who are able to demonstrate the following will have an advantage:

• Proven experience in instructional design for large-scale e-learning programmes or MOOCs delivered through platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udemy, or similar.
• Experience developing courseware for emerging communication channels, including mobile platforms such as WhatsApp or equivalent social messaging platforms.
• Experience using generative AI tools to support instructional design, content development, multimedia production, localisation, assessment creation, and workflow automation, with the ability to fact-check outputs and apply AI responsibly.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with curriculum or domain experts and project team members working remotely across different time zones.
• Skills in multimedia production, including infographics, video scripting, animation, and audio production.
• Experience using design and content-development tools such as Canva, InDesign, VideoScribe, and audio or narration editing tools.
• Proven ability to repurpose learning content for multiple delivery formats, including self-paced, tutor-led, and blended learning.
• Experience using remote collaboration tools, including Slack, Google Drive, and Trello, to manage workflows.
• Bilingual proficiency in French or Arabic is an advantage.

Language and Location Requirements:

• Location: Remote. Open to candidates based anywhere in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
• Languages: English
• Preferred but not required: French and/or Arabic

About the Role

The successful candidate will join CfA’s Academy team, helping to lead capacity-building initiatives delivered in partnership with more than 30 leading African universities, mainstream newsrooms, and civil society organisations.

A major focus of the role will be designing modular courses that combine core lessons on essential skills with elective modules offering topic- or tool-specific learning. CfA’s courseware must be flexible enough to be customised and repackaged for different audiences by our in-country trainers and university partners.

Our MOOC courseware also serves as the master curriculum for in-person and offline training workshops, facilitator teaching kits, and adaptable learning materials for university partners.

The Instructional Designer will benchmark CfA’s learning materials against global best practices and lead the collaborative development of new courses with internal teams, external stakeholders, and subject-matter experts. These courses will be delivered through academy.AFRICA and, where appropriate, global e-learning platforms such as Coursera and Udemy.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and critical-thinking skills and be able to understand new and complex subject areas quickly. They should have excellent attention to detail, a strong eye for quality and visual design, and the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines. They should also be comfortable using digital collaboration tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Trello.

Responsibilities: Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Conceptualising and designing master curricula in consultation with CfA programme teams and external domain experts, creating modular, task-driven, and experiential courses that support both self-directed e-learning and instructor-led delivery.
• Conducting learning needs assessments and translating identified needs into clear learning outcomes, structured learning journeys, assessments, and practical activities.
• Designing and developing digital learning materials, including e-learning modules, interactive activities, assessments, videos, infographics, audio, and other multimedia resources.
• Developing course support materials, including facilitator guides, user manuals, participant handbooks, exercises, assignments, handouts, and toolkits.
• Repackaging master curricula for in-person and offline delivery, including presentation slides, instructor notes, participant materials, and accessible low-bandwidth resources.
• Using generative AI tools responsibly to support research, content development, assessment creation, localisation, multimedia production, and workflow efficiency.
• Reviewing and fact-checking AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, relevance, originality, accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and alignment with CfA’s quality standards.
• Collaborating closely with trainers and subject-matter experts to ensure learning materials are accurate, engaging, inclusive, and instructionally effective.
• Building and managing a network of thematic experts who can co-author courses, review specialist content, or facilitate flagship classes.
• Monitoring enrolment, engagement, completion rates, learner feedback, and other trends across CfA’s MOOCs and webinar-based programmes, and translating the findings into actionable recommendations.
• Applying instructional-design best practices, including effective content chunking, interactive learning, meaningful assessments, explanatory feedback, multimedia, and mobile-friendly design.
• Supporting trainers and partners with accessible, user-friendly learning resources and guidance.
• Staying informed about emerging trends in digital pedagogy, learning technologies, generative AI, and learning analytics, and recommending relevant innovations for CfA’s Academy programmes.