Instructional Design Spec.

United Arab Emirates University; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates seeks a Senior Specialist in Instructional Design. This role focuses on developing instructional materials and enhancing teaching through AI integration and innovative digital solutions. Candidates should have a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree, with at least five years of instructional design experience in higher education. The position will also involve collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure program effectiveness and student learning outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in higher education instructional design.
• Ability to integrate AI tools into instructional design.
• Experience with learning management systems.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage instructional technologies and strategies.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to enhance learning outcomes.
• Design innovative digital learning solutions aligned with educational strategies.

Skills

Experience of working for higher education institution

Creating, editing, and launching instructional content

Working knowledge of online/blended instructional space

Video/Audio production and editing

Effective writing skills

Fluency in English

Understanding of HTML/CSS standards

Education

Master’s Degree / Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

Tools

Blackboard

edX

Final Cut Pro

Camtasia

Audacity

Job description

Job Description:

The Instructional Design & Development unit is located within the Digital Learning Department at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). The Senior Specialist Instructional Design is one who has demonstrated success in the building and management of multi-faceted teams. This individual is knowledgeable in the area of online/Blended instructional strategies on open online platforms such as edX and has a proven record as a program/project coordinator in the instructional context of higher education. As the Senior Specialist Instructional Design, this individual has knowledge of the instructional design and digital development processes as well as demonstrated experience with the actual production of higher education instructional materials, from multi-media artifacts (audio, video, animations) to teaching and learning materials (learning objects). In addition, the individual integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and methodologies into instructional design, leveraging adaptive learning systems, AI-driven analytics, and intelligent tutoring technologies to enhance teaching effectiveness and personalize learning pathways. The primary role of the Senior Specialist Instructional Design is to create, select / suggest instructional technologies, learning strategies and experiences to enhance student and faculty performance, skills, knowledge, information and attitude in order to promote achievement of program goals and learning outcomes. This Individual is also responsible for collaborating with and guiding subject matter experts in these competencies, using AI-based data insights to assess and close gaps in student learning progress, forecast learning trends, and design innovative digital learning solutions that align with institutional and national educational strategies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Masterâs Degree / Bachelorâs Degree in a related field is required.

Experience/Skills:

• Experience of working for higher education institution is a plus.
• At least five years of hands-on experience creating, editing, and launching instructional content in multiple platforms (Blackboard and edX, would be an advantage).
• An adaptable mindset to work as part of a growing team in the shifting landscape of the institution and higher education in general; a willingness to work with others and an appetite for learning by doing.
• Working knowledge of the online/blended instructional space, including online teaching and learning, open courses and mixed modalities.
• Ability to work in the complex environment of a growing office in the shifting landscape of the institution and higher education.
• Video / Audio production and editing knowledge with software such as Final Cut Pro, Camtasia and Audacity will be an added advantage.
• Ability to write effective copy, instructional text, audio and video scripts.
• Learns quickly and responds effectively to changing operational needs and circumstances.
• Experience with learning management systems.
• Flexibility, imagination, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of standard web markup languages and best practices (HTML/CSS, HTML 5).
• Flexibility, imagination, and creative problem solving.
• Fluent in English.
• Fluency in Arabic language is a plus but not mandatory.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of proven track record of success in the instructional context of online/blended teaching and learning in higher education.
• At least 5+ years of experience working in digital strategy field.
• Experience working with state-of-the-art digital content creation tools, other educational technology tools, and multiple learning management systems.
• Experience applying AI-driven learning analytics to improve teaching and student outcomes.
• Familiarity with generative AI tools for creating instructional content (text, video, assessments).
• Knowledge of AI-powered adaptive learning systems in higher education.
• Ability to use AI-enabled accessibility tools (captioning, text-to-speech, adaptive formats).
• Understanding of AI-based instructional quality assurance (alignment, rubrics, course review).
• Experiences on emerging AI trends such as tutoring systems, virtual assistants, and AI-enhanced XR/VR.