Instructional Designer

Durban University of Technology; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A South African university in Durban is seeking an experienced instructional designer to develop and manage online courseware. This role involves creating engaging educational content, collaborating with faculty, and ensuring quality standards in online learning. Candidates should have an honours degree and at least 2 years of relevant experience. The position is a fixed-term contract until December 2026, with the possibility of renewal based on performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in instructional design.
• Ability to develop online learning materials using various software tools.
• Proven skills in crafting engaging content and assessments.

Responsibilities

• Manage project plan for online courseware development.
• Support faculty in adopting online course design best practices.
• Lead quality assurance processes for online learning.

Skills

Knowledge of learning theories

Proficiency with learning management systems

Leadership skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to multi-task under pressure

Education

Honours degree in related field

Honours-level qualification in any academic discipline

Tools

Articulate 360

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

Required Academic Qualification

• A Honours degree in related field (e.g. Instructional Design, Curriculum Development, Educational Technology, Academic Development or Computer-integrated Education), OR
• An honours-level qualification in any academic discipline with proven experience in applying instructional design techniques to course development within the online/blended learning environment.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ appropriate experience.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of learning theories and teaching and assessment strategies within online learning environment.
• Knowledge of learning management systems, authoring tools and related educational technology tools.
• Demonstrable ability to apply appropriate storyboarding, authoring and visual designing or similar software tools (e.g. Articulate 360, Rise, Photoshop, Illustrator or similar software) to develop online learning material.
• Advanced skills in writing effective copy, instructional text and audio/video scripts.
• High level of organisational and leadership skills.
• Ability to work as a team member and across organizational levels.
• Effective negotiation and conflict management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task within a tight deadline environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and manage the project plan for online courseware development including conceptualisation, design, development, production, quality assurance and upload on LMS.
• Develop, craft, modify and organize content, activities, and assessments in accordance with specified learning objectives and anticipated outcomes.
• Develop outlines, storyboards, scenarios, scripts and simulations that meet quality standards for online courses.
• Support and provide guidance to faculty on the adoption of international best practices in online course design including the incorporation of assessment in course design.
• Collaborate with and project manage team members and university stakeholders to develop student orientation module, facilitators’ guide, PowerPoints and multimedia material for effective online teaching and learning.
• Lead the curation of open educational resources (OER) and virtual learning resources (VLR) to support the development of online courses that are stimulating and engaging for students.
• Lead and support the development and adoption of appropriate quality assurance process for online learning including course design rubrics, course evaluation and review, and statutory and regulatory compliance checks.
• Conduct professional development need analysis for faculty members, and lead the design and presentation of necessary intervention through online resources, workshops, seminars and webinars.
• Identify, evaluate and recommend appropriate software and technological tools as may be required for effective delivery of online learning.
• Develop, manage and update training library, user manuals, standard operating procedures, training manuals, FAQ and online training modules to support learning material development and online learning broadly.
• Provide mentoring and ongoing support to Junior Instructional designers in their online learning design roles including pedagogical and technical professional development.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned.

Status of Position: Fixed Term Contract until 31st December 2026 (renewable based on performance and availability of funds).

Communication will be entered into with short-listed candidates only.

Closing date: 23 December 2025

“While DUT strives for equal opportunities, preference will be in terms of the University’s equity policy”

“The University reserves the right not to appoint”