Remote Adjunct Instructor at UoPeople - Africa — Columbus
Traveler-Friendly Insight
Async-Friendly & Location-Independent: This role is fully asynchronous — there are no live lecture requirements or fixed time slots. The 15 hours per week commitment is self-managed, making it one of the most nomad-compatible teaching gigs available. You can grade assignments and respond to forum posts from any café or coworking space with reliable internet.
Timezone Flexibility: Since UoPeople operates globally with students in 200+ countries, there is no single timezone requirement. This is a genuine timezone-agnostic role, ideal for nomads hopping between regions.
Compensation vs. Cost of Living: At USD 250–300 per 9-week course (~15 hrs/week), this works out to roughly $1.85–$2.22/hour — well below market. It is best treated as a supplementary income stream, not a primary income source. In Medellín (COL), where living costs ~$800–1,200/month, one course alone won't cover expenses. Same applies to Bangkok (~$900–1,400/month) or Lisbon (~$1,500–2,000/month). You'd need to teach multiple courses or combine this with other work.
Practical Nomad Takeaways:
- No equipment stipend or coworking allowance mentioned.
- No visa sponsorship — this is a contractor/adjunct arrangement.
- Africa-only applicants per the location hint; digital nomad visas exist in countries like Cape Verde, Rwanda, and South Africa for those based on the continent.
- Best suited as a passion project or resume-builder alongside other remote income.
Headquarters: Nigeria
URL: https://uopeople.edu
Introduction:
University of the People (UoPeople) is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American, accredited, 100% online university. Today, UoPeople has over 270,000 students enrolled from more than 200 countries and territories, including 50,000 students who are refugees. UoPeople is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
We believe that higher education is a basic human right and that it can transform not only the lives of students, but also their families' lives, their communities, their nations, and, by extension, the world. See President Reshef's TED talk when he announced the founding of the University: TED Talk
UoPeople is an innovative university, and we welcome team members who bring creativity and innovation to their roles. We're a fast-paced organization with remote teams all around the globe. If you're a self-starter who wants to succeed alongside a passionate team, we'd love to hear from you!
UoPeople is supported by the generosity of individuals and foundations, including the Gates, Hewlett, Ford Foundations, Fondation Hoffmann, and others. The University has been covered by the New York Times, BBC, NPR, Times Higher Education, US News and World Report, and more. President Reshef's TED Talk and Nas Daily interview about the University have 30 million views combined.
Role: Adjunct Instructor
Teaching Mode: Remote/Online
Compensation:
The University will provide compensation to Adjunct Instructors at a rate of USD 250 per undergraduate course and USD 300 per graduate course, in recognition of their valuable contributions and commitment to advancing the University's mission.
Position Description:
University of the People (UoPeople) is currently seeking Adjunct Instructors to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in the following disciplines:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics and Statistics
- History and Art History
- Economics
- Political Science
- Law
- Sociology
Your service as an Adjunct Instructor will support UoPeople's global mission to offer affordable, quality, online, degree-granting educational programs to any qualified student. UoPeople Adjunct Instructors must make a weekly commitment of about 15 hours to course-related activities, which consist of responding to student emails and messages, engaging with students in discussion forums, grading assignments and discussion forum posts. Each UoPeople course is nine weeks long and is taught fully online in the learning management system. Instructors must be able to teach in an online world and understand the needs of a very diverse student population.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Devote approximately 15 hours per course per week.
- Maintain an instructor presence in the course with frequent check-ins and responsiveness to students.
- Communicate effectively with diverse student populations and an international administration.
- Teach course subject matter to ensure every student can master learning outcomes.
- Regularly check in with Academic Affairs and/or Office of Academic Operations administrators regarding any course issues.
- Monitor course grades and finalize grades by deadlines.
- Model sensitivity to a diverse student population, representing the full spectrum of cultural, political, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds.
Qualifications:
- Expertise in the subject area of the course.
- Minimum degree requirement is a master's degree in the discipline; a doctoral degree is preferred.
- Online teaching experience preferred, but not required.
- Fluency in English.
UoPeople is an equal opportunity employer and seeks applicants who share its values of quality, opportunity, and access and who are representative of its diverse student body. More information about the institution can be found at https://www.uopeople.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this role fully remote or does it require on-campus attendance?
How much does UoPeople pay adjunct instructors?
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