Instructional Designer

The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) is a registered private higher education provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of ADvTECH Ltd, listed on the JSE.

The IIE's - Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE) is the custodian of academic quality, educational technology, and governance across the institution. It leads academic strategy, compliance, and operational integrity through robust governance structures.

The current ACE is in the process of being repositioned as a Centre of Excellence, a hub for academic innovation, staff capacity building, quality assurance, and governance across both the schools and tertiary divisions.

As we reposition ACE, we are excited to invite applications for the role of Instructional Designer (ID). Based at The IIE's head office in Sandton, this role will support the Digital Learning & Design Team department.

The purpose of the job:

An Instructional Designer (ID) focuses on creating engaging and effective learning experiences by applying relevant and current instructional design principles. They analyse students' needs, design course content, and develop activities that enhance understanding. An ID designs engaging, pedagogically sound digital learning experiences aligned with learning outcomes involves collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs), academics, and technologists to create accessible and interactive courseware. This process includes developing storyboards, scripts, and activity guides for multimedia and online courses, integrating emerging tools, technologies, and learning theories into course designs, and conducting usability reviews and revisions based on student feedback and learning analytics. In contrast, a Learning Technologist (LT) primarily concentrates on the integration of technology into learning environments. Together, both roles collaborate closely: the ID creates the educational framework and content, while the LT ensures the technology effectively supports that framework, ultimately enhancing the overall learning experience.

Therefore, the ID develops engaging online learning content, aligning with instructional best practices and institutional goals. This role involves collaboration with faculty, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to design accessible, impactful modules that improve student outcomes. The ID employs multimedia tools and technologies to enhance learning, ensuring content meets academic and accessibility standards. They collaborate closely with faculty, subject matter experts, and stakeholders to tailor learning solutions that align with higher education goals, the teaching and learning strategy, with the aim to improve student outcomes and satisfaction with the online content.

Reporting to:

The successful candidate will report to the IDOL Team Lead.

Main Outputs and Responsibilities for this Position :

Delivery of Modules

• Design engaging, pedagogically sound digital learning experiences aligned with learning outcomes.
• Develop storyboards, scripts, and activity guides for multimedia and online courses.
• Integrate emerging tools, technologies, and learning theories into course designs.
• Collaborate with SMEs, academics, and technologists to create accessible and interactive courseware.
• Ensure all allocated Learning Management System (LMS) modules are developed as per the IIE framework & requirements.
• Manage allocated module development according to agreed timelines and quality standards.
• Provide progress reports.
• Follow quality assurance (QA) processes, ensuring development is appropriate and relevant for contact, distance, and programme-specific needs.
• Provide constructive feedback to and support independent contractors (ICs) and external partners. This involves regular communication to ensure alignment of tasks ahead as well as to address any concerns.
• Work alongside external partners on joint projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality outcomes.
• Ensure that development meets all regulatory or accreditation standards required by external partners.
• Provide regular updates and reports from external partners on project progress.
• Facilitate workshops or training sessions for external partners to enhance their understanding of the development required.
• Work closely with relevant ACE members.
• Support and empower Learning Technologists (LTs) to deliver modules onto the LMS.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure quality standards are met, which includes but is not limited to ensuring alignment with objectives and the implementation of highly engaging, effective, and appropriate modules on the LMS.
• Provide progress reports.
• Apply best practice in instructional design.
• Develop own skills and competencies in that regard visibly and deliberately on an ongoing basis.
• Conduct usability reviews and revisions based on student feedback and learning analytics.

Quality Assurance

• Using insights from work done by the IDs, Lecturers, and developers, provide documented ongoing support and training during the design and development of modules for the LMS.
• Ensure design standards and project deadlines are met across multiple projects.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and training for the instructional design and learning technologist teams.
• Ensure that new team members are properly trained and inducted and that their first work is carefully supervised.
• Respond directly to all quality issues identified or raised by users and escalate as required.

Supporting stakeholders

• Train and mentor new Lecturers with respect to the IIE's approach to Teaching and Learning (T&L) on the LMS & their role in module development.
• Liaise and support Lecturers and content developers to ensure that Content Development Plan (CDP) are developed accordingly and approved timeously.
• Assist and support Lecturers during the review and sign-off of modules on the LMS.
• Ensure that external learning designers and other partners are properly briefed, supported and managed to delivery.
• Design tailored training modules that address the unique challenges and objectives of each stakeholder group.
• Organize and lead interactive workshops to engage stakeholders and build their skills in relevant areas.
• Create instructional materials, guides, and toolkits that stakeholders can use to support their ongoing learning.
• Support the training of staff by quality assuring and co-developing appropriate training interventions.
• Foster connections among stakeholders to encourage the sharing of best practices and collaborative problem-solving.

Professional development, research, and improvement strategies

• Conduct research for internal or external output, preferably related to strategic imperatives for the LMS.
• Research emerging educational technologies and tools to enhance learning experiences and engagement.
• Apply research, reflection, and/or other methods to improve the strategic value proposition for modules on the LMS.
• Explore UX research methods to understand learner behaviors and preferences for designing intuitive interfaces.
• Investigate strategies for creating inclusive and accessible learning environments for diverse learner populations.
• Pursue personal professional development that will strengthen the strategic value of the Learning and Design team.
• Study various instructional design models (e.g., ADDIE, SAM) to apply best practices in course development.
• Collaborate with the senior learning designers and other designers to improve student and lecturer engagement and experience on the LMS through action-based introspection and/or research. This may cover investigating cognitive, behavioural, and constructivist learning theories to inform design choices.
• Stay informed about trends in the specific field or industry relevant to the stakeholders being served.

• Likely Fields of Research:

• Education Technology

• Cognitive Psychology
• Adult Learning and Continuing Education
• E-Learning Development
• User Experience Design
• Curriculum and Instruction

Administration and Governance

• Ensure that all LMS materials comply with policy, regulatory & legal requirements (incl. copyright) and that all issues are addressed where required.

Qualification

• A minimum of an Honours degree level qualification (or a recognised equivalent thereof) in educational technology, instructional design, or a related field is preferred.
• Master's-level qualification in education, educational technology, instructional design, or a related field
  
  field is preferred—advantageous
• Certification with a recognized Learning Management System provider (i.e., Brightspace, Moodle,
  
  etc.) and/or evidence about professional development in Digital Content Design—Advantageous

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years in Research and Innovation
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in Online Course Design, Education technologies Integration, Best Practices, Project Management, Interactive Learning Activities, Collaboration with stakeholders, Professional Development, and Quality Assurance

Competencies:

• Experience in skill development, with a strong background in implementing best practices for the adoption and use of educational technologies in teaching and learning environment as well as good practice of learning design.
• Ability to create online materials that meet defined design specifications.
• Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS), particularly Brightspace, is an advantage.
• Project management & management of learning designers.
• Developing materials for and providing support to users of an LMS (preferably Brightspace) will be advantageous.
• Design and implement skills development initiatives (such as self-help modules, online webinars, and in-person workshops) for academic staff on the use of educational technologies.
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Collaboration
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Negotiation
• Leadership
• Motivating others

Other Special Requirements:

• Occasional travel between campuses or the central office may be required.
• Must work extended hours during peak academic periods.
• High tolerance for structured, process-driven work.
• Game-based learning theories and applications would be advantageous.