Project Manager Moodle implementation

Context

The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education is an international institute for water education that was established as a UNESCO institution in 2003. UNESCO-IHE continues the work that was started in 1957 when IHE first offered a postgraduate diploma course in hydraulic engineering to practicing professionals from developing countries.

Currently UNESCO-IHE is developing itself into a global partnership for education, research and capacity building/knowledge management in water and environment. The application of innovative, technology-enhanced teaching and learning methodologies is a key strategy to create this global water education infrastructure, with UNESCO-IHE at its centre.

UNESCO-IHE selected the virtual learning environment Moodle as an important component of its future infrastructure. From April till September 2009 Moodle will be installed and configured, and a number of demonstrator courses will be developed and piloted. Parallel to these configuration and demonstration activities, an exploitation plan will be developed as well as a plan to technically integrate Moodle with the overall UNESCO-IHE applications architecture.

UNESCO-IHE is urgently looking for a project manager to lead this challenging project.

Responsibilities

• Lead the project team, comprising a (part-time)Technical Administrator, Functional Administrator, Instructional Designer, three course developers, and where necessary external consultants.
• Realise the project targets in time, within budget, and at the required quality level, specifically:
  • Organizing the project team by securing training where necessary; selecting and contracting technology providers; and creating a knowledge management base.
  • Cooperating with, and facilitating, the Consultative Group that represents the user organization; and report to the Steering Committee.
  • Installation and configuration of a Moodle demonstration version first, followed by the configuration of a final exploitation version.
  • Definition, design and development of demonstrator courses that illustrate the added value of Moodle to UNESCO-IHE’s global partnership strategy.
  • Designing an interface architecture for Moodle with UNESCO-IHE’s other applications.
  • Compilation of a VLE Exploitation Plan for the post-pilot period.
• Coordinate the project activities within the wider IHE organization, specifically the Academic Departments as the main client organization; the Administrative Departments for integration with back-office systems; and the ICT Department for technical tasks.

Qualifications

• Experience with managing small project teams, preferably in an academic and/or international setting
• Experience with course development in a virtual learning environment (not necessarily Moodle)
• Sufficient ICT knowledge to serve as a critical counterpart for internal and external ICT experts
• Proficiency in English

The project manager is expected to actively participate in the realization of all project targets, and set an example that will champion the introduction and uptake of Moodle within IHE.

Conditions of service

The project manager will be hired on a contract basis for the duration of the project (April – September 2009). He/she will report directly to the Deputy Director of the Institute. The remuneration will be competitive and in line with the responsibilities, and depending on qualifications and experience.

Information about this contract can be obtained from the Joop de Schutter, Deputy Director at j.deschutter@unesco-ihe.org (Phone: +31.15.2151.701) or from Carel Keuls, Knowledge Management Advisor at c.keuls@unesco-ihe.org (Phone: +31.15.2151.848). Prospective applicants can obtain the 'Project plan for the Moodle Implementation and Demonstration at UNESCO-IHE' via Carel Keuls.

Applicants are requested to submit a letter or email of interest including CV, motivation and past experience before 28 March 2009 to c.keuls@unesco-ihe.org.