Specialist II: Instructional Design (Learning Experience Advisor) (P6) (Academic Development & Support: Centre for Academic Technologies)

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will provide advanced learning experience design expertise and translate strategic priorities into coordinated, high-quality faculty support and implementation. Responsibilities include:

• Leading the analysis, design, development, implementation and review of complex online, blended and technology-enhanced learning experiences.
• Advising faculties and academic departments on curriculum-aligned learning design, assessment design, accessibility, learner engagement and the appropriate use of educational technologies.
• Providing specialist guidance on the pedagogically sound, ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies and AI in teaching, learning and assessment.
• Leading or supporting priority and high-risk module, programme and institutional interventions.
• Coordinating work packages, schedules, standards and deliverables for Learning Experience Advisors, monitoring progress and escalating material risks.
• Mentoring and coaching Learning Experience Advisors and facilitating peer learning.
• Developing and maintaining learning design standards, templates, review criteria, workflows and service protocols.
• Reviewing the quality, consistency, accessibility and pedagogical alignment of learning designs and digital learning resources.
• Analysing service data, stakeholder feedback and learning analytics to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Designing and facilitating advanced workshops, consultations and professional development programmes.
• Developing guides, templates, exemplars, reusable learning objects and self-help resources.
• Building effective relationships across CAT, Academic Development and Support, faculties and relevant external networks, while benchmarking emerging practice and contributing to innovation and developmental research.

Minimum requirements

• A Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Learning Experience Design, Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology or a related field.
• Five (5) years’ relevant experience in online, blended or technology-enhanced teaching and learning within higher education, including advanced advisory or specialist responsibilities.
• Proven experience in instructional or learning experience design and the development of modules delivered in online, blended and onsite formats.
• Experience in using and/or developing learning or training modules in a learning management system, preferably Moodle, in collaboration with academic staff, teaching and learning committees and academic departments.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering staff training, workshops and continuing professional development.
• Experience with emerging technologies, including generative AI tools, in teaching, learning and assessment.
• Sound understanding of contemporary learning theories, educational technology theories, design-based research and current and emerging global trends in online educational technologies.
• Knowledge of national and international higher education trends.

Recommendations:

• A PhD/Doctorate (NQF 10) in Educational Technology or a related field, with accredited research output.
• Experience in project management and leading cross-functional work groups or communities of practice.
• A portfolio of learning design projects, reusable learning objects or creative output.

Competencies and Behavioural Attributes:

• Advanced instructional and learning experience design skills across macro- and micro-curriculum levels.
• Ability to coordinate professional work, mentor colleagues, lead cross-functional project teams and influence outcomes without relying solely on formal authority.
• Strong self-management, planning and organisational capability in a detailed, deadline-driven environment.
• Creative problem-solving and sound professional judgement.
• Sound understanding of the ethical, responsible and pedagogically grounded use of AI in teaching, learning and assessment.
• Excellent written, oral, digital and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to produce high-level proposals, reports and research output.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and perform effectively under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills across diverse faculties, departments and student populations.
• Data literacy and the ability to support data-informed decision-making through learning analytics.

Deadline:23rd November,2026