Columbia Global Centers Capacity Building and Curriculum Development Specialist Job in Nairobi Kenya

Consultancy - Capacity Building and Curriculum Development Specialist – AfSIS
 

Category of Staff: Consultant
 

Duty Post: Nairobi
 

Objective: Columbia Global Centers | Africa (CGC Africa) is part of Columbia University’s global network of centers, which together aim to create opportunities in research, scholarship and teaching around the world, and expand Columbia's mission as a global university. 

Established in Nairobi in 2011, CGC Africa links the continent to Columbia’s scientific rigor, technological innovation, and academic leadership. 

The Centre works closely with policy makers, governments, and regional and African institutions, providing them with objective, science-based advice.
 

The goal of the African Soils Information Service Project is to improve the management, productivity and sustainability of African soils through the acquisition and application of near real-time and location-specific information about land and soils. 

The Project supports evidence based decision-making that will enhance agricultural and economic development, environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation across Africa.
 

Background: The primary aim of work stream 3 is to ensure the relevance and sustainability of the work undertaken during AfSIS Phase II through the strengthening and institutionalization of effective national soil information systems and services capable of assuming responsibility for data collection, curation and effective use of soil information systems.
 

Duties and Responsibilities:
 

The core products and services generated under this consultancy in order to achieve this will include:
 

1) Analyses of, and recommendations for, high-priority training and capacity building decisions aimed at developing sustainable soil management programs at national levels in order to identify and meet the high-value soil information needs of stakeholders.
 

2) The initiation of a curriculum development process for long- term, sustainable capacity building interventions.
 

3) The development of on-site training and advisory services on AfSIS II standard operating procedures for soil sampling, processing, soil-plant spectroscopy, spectral data management, soil property predictions and interpretation.
 

4) The formulation of on-the-job training and training courses for MoA staff and other stakeholders in managing databases, data analysis and interpretation processes, and applications development.
 

5) The development of on-site as well as centralized training courses on soil and remote sensing data management, analysis and interpretation.
 

6) Progressive transfer of curricular activities and instructional materials to local universities to support and enhance capabilities of local institutions and free curricular space for more advanced knowledge transfer in AfSIS instructional program.
 

7) Active promotion of scientific networking across partner countries.
 

Specific Deliverables:
 

1. Identify general types of supporting instructional material and documents to be developed (e.g. theory notes, lab notes, lab procedures, protocols, manuals, flow-charts, use cases, project templates, taped lectures, website companions to instructional material, resources’ manuals for instructors, lecture enhancements, glossaries, commented bibliographies).

• Define specific formats and structure for each type of instructional material and document with the objective of facilitating access and interpretation (e.g. preview and review of sections/ chapters, required concepts, learning objectives, gateway themes and questions, study questions and guides, web links, suggestions for further reading etc.).
• Develop concrete examples of instructional modules for inclusion in the AfSIS II proposal.
• Initiate instructional material development once concept networks become available during the curriculum development process.
• A draft document identifying training activities for centralized and those for or on-site interventions including defining the nature and structure of on-line support necessary to assist trainees during and after training (e.g. fora, thematic e-libraries).

2. Develop draft ToR and Job Descriptions required for staff responsible for on-job training based on a defined hierarchy of functions, duties, level of experience, skill sets etc.
 

3. Define and develop a policy/ strategy for internships, externships, tutoring, mentoring and other forms of possible additional training and support.
 

4. Present a “dynamic draft” document based on stakeholder analysis identifying potential local partner institutions, key contacts and pathways for future engagement.
 

5. Assist in the formulation of related work stream for AfSIS II proposal, based on concrete advances in design, product development and material preparation for the instructional program. This contribution should ensure support to, and integration with, other AfSIS work streams.
 

Minimum requirements.
 

1. PhD in soil science or natural resource, Agricultural science
 

2. Must have experience in Institutional development, Training, innovative curriculum development for both community and national level programmes with preference given to soil sciences/ remote sensing/ GIS and Statistics/ data management, analysis and interpretation for both on-site and on-line courses.
 

3. Must have worked with African universities and institutions and have established networks for active collaboration and information sharing.
 

Work Setting

• Duration of consultancy: 6 months
• Reporting: The consultant will report directly to the AfSIS Director.
• The consultant will primarily be based at the CGCA offices in Nairobi

How to Apply
 

Please send your 

(i) Proposal/Concept indicating your lump sum fee to meet the expected deliverables in this TOR, and 

(ii) CV with contacts of references to recruitment@cgcafrica.org not later than 02nd July 2014. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To learn more about the African Soil Information Service please visit the following websites: http://www.africasoils.net/ and http://globalcenters.columbia.edu/nairobi/content/jobs