Professionals with expertise in instructional design, online education, sustainable finance, and environmental sustainability have an opportunity to contribute to global learning initiatives through the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) and Landscape Alliance, which brings together the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF).
The organisation is seeking a Consultant – Learning Designer – Sustainable Finance and/or Landscape Finance to develop engaging, accessible, and competency-based online and blended learning experiences for the Landscape Academy.
The consultancy focuses on transforming specialised knowledge about sustainable finance and landscape finance into practical learning experiences that equip participants with relevant skills and competencies. The successful consultant will work with subject matter experts, project teams, and learning professionals to design courses, develop digital learning materials, and improve the educational resources available through the Landscape Academy.
This opportunity is particularly relevant to professionals who combine strong instructional design skills with an interest in sustainable development, environmental conservation, climate action, and landscape restoration.
Application deadline: 31 October 2026.
Opportunity Overview
- Position: Consultant – Learning Designer – Sustainable Finance and/or Landscape Finance
- Organisation: Landscape Alliance (CIFOR-ICRAF), associated with the Global Landscapes Forum
- Work arrangement: Remote and home-based
- Contract duration: 12 months
- Employment type: Full-time consultancy
- Eligible work locations: African and European countries
- Application deadline: 31 October 2026
- Official application portal: https://www.landscapealliance.org/about/work-with-us/
Applicants should consult the official vacancy announcement for the complete terms of reference, required submission documents, and any additional eligibility conditions.
About the Global Landscapes Forum and Landscape Academy
The Global Landscapes Forum is a knowledge-led platform focused on integrated land use and sustainable landscapes. Its work connects stakeholders working towards the Sustainable Development Goals, climate action, biodiversity conservation, and more equitable approaches to managing land and natural resources.
Landscape Alliance, bringing together CIFOR and ICRAF, conducts research and supports initiatives addressing forests, agriculture, livelihoods, climate change, food security, and sustainable landscapes.
Its Capacity Development and Education hub has expanded the Landscape Academy into a learning environment that supports online, offline, and blended courses, community engagement, and collaborative learning.
The Learning Designer will contribute to this educational mission by developing resources that translate research, technical knowledge, and practical experience into accessible learning opportunities.
Key Responsibilities of the Learning Designer
The selected consultant will contribute to the complete learning development process, from identifying learner needs to evaluating course effectiveness and improving learning experiences.
1. Learning Needs Assessment and Planning
The consultant will work with course development coordinators, subject matter experts, and project staff to establish the purpose and scope of learning initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting training needs assessments.
- Identifying learner profiles, knowledge gaps, and desired competencies.
- Developing course concept notes and measurable learning objectives.
- Analysing technological access, language requirements, and learning constraints.
- Applying relevant educational theories to strengthen course effectiveness.
This planning stage will help ensure that learning materials respond to actual learner needs and support clearly defined outcomes.
2. Curriculum and Instructional Design
The Learning Designer will develop course structures that align learning objectives, activities, assessments, and expected competencies.
Responsibilities include preparing comprehensive course outlines, coordinating consultations with subject matter experts, and integrating feedback into course designs.
The consultant will also develop prototypes that establish the course’s visual presentation, structure, and interactive elements.
Detailed course scripts will specify narration, content structure, assessment activities, interaction logic, feedback, and instructions for digital course development.
Where appropriate, courses may combine online learning with offline activities to accommodate different learning environments and levels of technological access.
3. E-Learning Content Development
The consultant will turn approved course outlines and scripts into functional digital learning experiences using appropriate authoring tools.
Responsibilities include:
- Building courses using selected e-learning authoring platforms.
- Developing SCORM-compliant learning modules.
- Integrating multimedia, interactive exercises, and assessments.
- Ensuring technical functionality and accessibility.
- Supporting quality assurance, copy-editing, and translation where required.
- Assisting with course administration through the learning management system.
- Designing course pages and defining learner analytics.
These activities require both educational expertise and the practical ability to develop and maintain digital learning content.
4. Course Testing and Delivery
Before courses are fully deployed, the consultant will support pilot testing with small learner groups where feasible.
Feedback from these activities will help identify content gaps, technical issues, accessibility barriers, and opportunities to improve the learning experience.
The role also includes supporting course promotion, learner engagement, and the development of supportive online learning communities.
5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
The Learning Designer will contribute to evaluating course effectiveness through surveys, interviews, learner analytics, and other feedback mechanisms.
The consultant will analyse the findings, prepare evaluation reports, oversee assessments and certification processes, and recommend improvements.
Maintaining detailed records of the design process will also support quality assurance and future course development.
Required Qualifications and Experience
The position is intended for professionals with demonstrated expertise in instructional design and online learning development.
The published requirements include the following areas.
Pedagogy and adult education: Candidates should have an excellent understanding of educational principles relevant to sustainable development and adult learning.
Instructional design: Experience with established instructional design approaches is expected, including ADDIE, SAMR, and backward design.
Learning management systems: Strong demonstrated experience with Moodle-based learning management systems is required.
E-learning authoring tools: Experience with Articulate Rise and Articulate Storyline is specifically highlighted.
Professional experience: The vacancy specifies five or more years of experience leading instructional or learning design, or an undergraduate degree in instructional design, pedagogy, or a related field. Candidates should review the original terms of reference carefully to understand how this criterion applies alongside the other requirements.
Content management and data systems: Understanding of WordPress and data management systems is also listed.
Applicants should demonstrate how their experience aligns with the role through relevant projects, course portfolios, instructional design samples, or examples of digital learning products where appropriate and permitted.
Sustainable finance directs financial resources towards activities that support environmental protection, social well-being, and long-term economic resilience.
Landscape finance focuses on financing approaches that support landscapes as interconnected systems involving agriculture, forests, water, biodiversity, livelihoods, and local communities.
Professionals working in these areas often need to communicate complex financial and environmental concepts to diverse audiences, including practitioners, policymakers, investors, development organisations, and community stakeholders.
Effective learning design can help bridge the gap between technical knowledge and practical application.
Through the Landscape Academy, the successful consultant will help make relevant knowledge more accessible and support learners in developing competencies that can be applied to real-world sustainability challenges.
Contract Duration and Work Arrangement
The opportunity is advertised as a 12-month consultancy with a remote, home-based working arrangement.
Candidates are required to be based in an African or European country. The role is described as full-time consultancy work, so applicants should review the contract terms and expected availability before applying.
The published announcement does not specify a salary or consultancy fee. Interested candidates should consult the official terms of reference for any available information about remuneration, payment arrangements, and contractual conditions.
Landscape Alliance also states its commitment to gender diversity, equal opportunity, teamwork, and respect for different backgrounds. Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
How to Apply
Interested professionals should follow these steps:
- Visit the official Landscape Alliance careers page: https://www.landscapealliance.org/about/work-with-us/
- Locate the vacancy titled Consultant – Learning Designer – Sustainable Finance and/or Landscape Finance.
- Download and review the complete terms of reference.
- Confirm that the professional experience, technical skills, and location requirements are satisfied.
- Prepare the required application documents according to the official instructions.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
Application deadline: 31 October 2026.
Candidates should begin preparing their submissions early and ensure that their experience in instructional design, e-learning tools, and relevant sustainability topics is clearly demonstrated.
Final Thoughts
The Global Landscapes Forum and Landscape Alliance offer an opportunity for an experienced learning design professional to contribute to education supporting sustainable finance and landscape action.
The 12-month remote consultancy combines curriculum development, digital course production, collaboration with subject matter experts, learner assessment, and continuous improvement.
It is particularly suited to professionals who can transform complex subject matter into engaging, accessible, and competency-based learning experiences.
Candidates with strong Moodle, Articulate Rise, Articulate Storyline, and instructional design experience should review the full requirements and assess how their expertise aligns with the assignment.
Deadline: 31 October 2026.
APPLY HERE
Eligible candidates are encouraged to review the official vacancy details and submit their applications before the deadline.
