Junior consultancy: video-based e-learning

Objective(s): IMPACT is looking for a junior consultant to advise on and demonstrate best practices for video-based e-learning for adult learning in professional environments. Specifically, the consultant will work on the development of e-learning videos and produce accompanying guidance material to support the development of IMPACT’s first massive open online course (MOOC). The aim of the MOOC is to capitalize on IMPACT’s internal guidance documents and experience with field research to strengthen the existing research capacities within the humanitarian sector. Through this, the consultant would thus be contributing towards the overall capacity building for one of the leading research organisations in the humanitarian and development sector as well as strengthening research capacities across the sector.

Duration of consultancy: Approximately 4-5 weeks (20-25 working days), with a preferred starting date in
November (as soon as possible)

The consultancy is expected to start in November 2024, with the latest completion date of 31th December 2024.

Background to IMPACT’s MOOC: Efforts have been made over the past years to develop data production and analysis processes that promote a comprehensive understanding of humanitarian need around the world. However, the complex operational contexts associated with humanitarian settings introduces unique scientific challenges for the implementation of standard research practices, especially for established survey methods. Specifically, inaccessibility and time sensitivity, working with highly vulnerable populations, and the lack of reliable and up-to-date secondary data sources, present specific challenges to primary research in these contexts. Despite these challenges, IMPACT, using over a decade of field research work in over 30 countries, has generated a considerable number of lessons learned, comprehensive internal guidance and tools for several key flagship assessments, and guidelines for the implementation of different stages of the research cycle, including research design, data processing and analysis, and drafting of information products. More generally, IMPACT’s work has been built over time, by adapting standardised, established social research methods to the challenging environments it operates in, to meet the specific information needs of aid actors and decision-makers in humanitarian contexts. To capitalize on this experience and allow partners to benefit from it, IMPACT will be producing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) over the course of 2024 and 2025. The MOOC aims to strengthen the existing capacity of the humanitarian data workforce (including data and analysis professionals within IMPACT’s multiple country teams), and further, aims to attract new professionals, with highly valuable, transferable, and much needed skills from industries that are at the forefront of the data revolution. It should help individuals conducting research in humanitarian contexts to strengthen base knowledge and skills to implement field research in various contexts, and thus enable them to function more effectively in their roles in the humanitarian sector.

Objectives of the consultancy: Building on an initial set of materials that have been developed and gathered recently for the IMPACT MOOC on applied quantitative research in complex contexts, the consultant will utilize his/ her knowledge and expertise to expand inputs into a set of videos that can be utilized as learning tools for the wider purpose of IMPACT’s research learning workstream.

The consultant will perform the following:

• Develop a set of videos, based on existing video scripts and raw video footage, each outlining a specific best practice or common challenge for applied quantitative research and aligning with existing content developed for the MOOC.
  • Videos are between 3 and 7 minutes in length and consist mainly of video footage of staff in
    talking head format. In addition, some teams have provided b-roll in the form of fotos or videos
    and some videos may require the creation of basic animated visuals or text. An example video
    will be provided for reference.
• Develop detailed guidance notes on video production for use in e-learning for adults, aligning
  with the needs of the IMPACT research department L&D workstream as well as taking into
  account the needs of other IMPACT teams at global level.
• Deliver a training to relevant IMPACT staff on key do’s and don’ts for video production
  with the aim of supporting building IMPACT’s capacity to produce higher-quality videos for adult
  learning events.

The consultant will work closely with the IMPACT Research Department, especially the Associate Research Manager for Learning and Development. The consultant will be based remotely for the duration of this work. If the consultant is based in or around Geneva, the possibility to come to IMPACT’s offices in Geneva for meetings and/or to collaborate more closely with relevant staff can be discussed.

Expected deliverables: The consultant shall provide IMPACT with the following deliverables:

1. 12 completed and compressed short videos aligning with existing video scripts and MOOC content including:
   1. Subtitles in English
   2. Transcripts in English (and French if applicable)
2. Instructor notes for video production in premiere pro and for video production for e-learning content targeting adult learners.
3. Power point slides or alternative presentation highlighting key do’s and don’ts for video production for e-learning content targeting adult learners.

Duration: This assignment is planned to be accomplished within up to 25 working days, with a preferred starting date between 4th November – 8th November 2024.

The following schedule and deliverables are suggested:

Consultancy kick off meeting: 0.5 day

Review of relevant documentation and submit work plan and any other additional documentation requirements: 0.5 day

Develop instructional videos based on existing scripts and video / photo inputs in adobe premiere pro: 17-22 days (total); 15-19 days video development + 2-3 days integration of feedback

Develop instructional material covering:

• Common challenges and best practices when using adobe premiere pro for short instructional video design
• Do’s and don’ts of video design for e-learning purposes

Deliver instructional material to the IMPACT research department L&D staff, IMPACT global comms and advocacy team, IMPACT global L&D team and other interested staff.

• Deliver verbal presentation
• Hand over slides and one-pager on do’s and don’ts

(1-2 days)

Expertise Requirements:

The consultant(s) should have the following background:

• Experience working with Adobe Premiere Pro for video production
• Experience working with Adobe Audition for minor sound editing
• Experience working with Arctime pro to produce video subtitles an asset
• Experience with instructional design and the development of learning materials for adult professional audiences, preferably in the humanitarian or development sector
• Experience with designing or implementing trainings that engage learners, meet learning objectives and improve overall job performance, an asset
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in French an asset
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, especially in a multi-cultural work environment
• Ability to manage time and resources effectively in order to produce timely, high-quality work

Additional details:

Taxation and Registration

• Please note that the consultancy firm or independent consultant will have to provide proof of
  registration, comply with all government rules, and will be responsible for government taxes.

Travel to Geneva:

• Any travel to and from Geneva requested by IMPACT (if any) will be paid directly by IMPACT
  and does not need to be included in the offer. Note that IMPACT will not cover any other cost
  such as food and per diem.. At the moment, no travels to Geneva are foreseen under this
  consultancy.

Field mission arrangements:

• Apart from trip(s) to Geneva, no field missions are foreseen under this consultancy.