Senior Specialist, Faculty Development & Learning Innovation - Open for All Nationalities

Position Summary

The Senior Faculty Development & Learning Innovation Specialist plays a key role in advancing Ajman University’s strategic priorities in teaching and learning. The position supports the design, coordination, and implementation of institutional faculty development initiatives aligned with the AU RISE Strategy, the AU Faculty Professional Development Framework, and international standards in higher education teaching practice.

Working closely with the Director of the Teaching and Learning Center, this role contributes to the development of a structured, scalable faculty capability ecosystem that promotes outcome-based education, innovative pedagogy, ethical and effective use of educational technologies, and continuous improvement in teaching quality across the University.

Key Responsibilities

• Faculty Development and Capability Building

• Support the implementation and operationalization of the AU Faculty Professional Development Framework.

• Design and coordinate faculty development programs, workshops, and learning resources that support innovative, student-centered teaching practices.

• Develop applied pedagogical toolkits, guides, and resources to support faculty in areas such as active learning, authentic assessment, and outcome-based education.

• Contribute to the development of asynchronous professional development opportunities to expand faculty access to continuous learning.

• Support the implementation of initiatives aligned with the AU RISE Strategy across colleges.

• Collaborate with colleges and academic units to translate institutional teaching priorities into practical faculty capability initiatives.

• Assist in monitoring and documenting progress related to teaching and learning strategic initiatives.

Teaching Excellence and Recognition

• Support the development and implementation of institutional recognition mechanisms such as teaching excellence awards and Fellowship pathways.

• Coordinate faculty participation in internationally benchmarked recognition frameworks (e.g., Advance HE Fellowship).

• Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of teaching best practices across the University.

Learning Innovation and Emerging Pedagogies

• Contribute to initiatives that promote innovative and future-ready teaching practices, including the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence in teaching and assessment.

• Support faculty capability building in digital pedagogy and emerging learning technologies.

• Collaboration and Institutional Support

• Work closely with faculty, colleges, and relevant university offices to support the implementation of teaching and learning initiatives.

• Contribute to the preparation of reports, documentation, and institutional evidence related to teaching excellence, faculty development, and accreditation requirements.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Higher Education, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in faculty development, teaching and learning support, academic development, or a related area in higher education.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and facilitating professional development programs for faculty.

• Avance HE Fellow or Senior Fellow - Recommended

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of contemporary teaching and learning practices in higher education.

• Experience with outcome-based education, authentic assessment, and active learning approaches.

• Ability to design and develop faculty development programs and pedagogical resources.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills.

• Ability to work across academic units and build constructive partnerships with faculty and institutional stakeholders.

• Awareness of emerging educational technologies and their application in higher education teaching and learning.