ABOUT
Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks is engaged in a multi-year project to increase the sector’s capacity to provide standardized, accountable language training services in various modalities to a diverse client base.

The CCLB is inviting Expressions of Interest from qualified individuals with expertise in developing micro-credentials for adult continuing education.

CONSULTANT CONTRACT

100% Remote Work

TERM: November 30, 2026, to March 31, 2027 (with possibility of renewal)

RATE: based on experience, plus applicable taxes

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The CCLB is seeking to develop the capacity of adult language training practitioners to design high-quality resources aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). This professional skill building will be achieved through a sequence of micro-credentials offered by the CCLB.

The Teaching and Learning Advisor will lead the design of two complementary micro-credential frameworks: Foundations and Advanced. Framework design should define the competencies, learning outcomes, assessment expectations, progression, credential requirements, and quality standards for building professional skills through micro-credential learning.

The Advisor will not develop the micro-credential course content, learning activities, or instructional materials; this role focuses on the architecture and instructional framework for the micro-credentials and, in addition, provide expert advice to the course content developers.

The Teaching and Learning Advisor will:

• Develop a structured framework and template to guide the design of coherent Foundations and Advanced micro-credentials, including how the two credentials build on one another and support progressive learning.
• Identify and organize the key elements to be considered when developing each micro-credential, such as its purpose, target audience, scope, entry requirements, competency areas, learning outcomes, assessment approach, completion criteria, and relationship to other credentials.
• Apply recognized principles of micro-credential design, adult continuing education, competency-based instruction and assessment, and Universal Design for Learning.
• Develop a competency map that clearly connects required knowledge, skills, and professional practices to measurable learning outcomes and authentic evidence of achievement.
• Establish guidance for valid, reliable, accessible, and practice-based assessment, including criteria for determining whether participants can apply CLB or NCLC standards when developing resources.
• Recommend an appropriate structure for modular delivery, learner progression, credential completion, and pathways from Foundations to Advanced.
• Ensure that accessibility, inclusion, flexibility, and varied professional experience are considered throughout the framework design.
• Collaborate with CLB and NCLC subject-matter experts, course content developers, project staff, and other advisors to validate the frameworks and ensure alignment across English and French contexts while respecting language-specific requirements.
• Produce clear framework documentation and implementation guidance that can be used by future course-content developers, facilitators, assessors, and learning-management-system specialists.
• Participate in consultations, reviews, and revisions and provide evidence-informed recommendations on micro-credential quality and implementation, as needed.

REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate will bring:

• Advanced qualifications in adult education, teaching and learning, instructional design, curriculum studies, educational technology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience designing micro-credentials for adult continuing education.
• Expertise in competency-based education, including the development of measurable learning outcomes, competency progression, authentic assessment, and evidence-based completion criteria.
• Strong knowledge of Universal Design for Learning and accessible, inclusive approaches to adult professional learning.
• Experience designing for modular and flexible learning pathways for working professionals, including self-directed online learning via LMS.
• Demonstrated ability to distinguish framework design from course-content development and to produce specifications that guide subsequent content creation.
• Strong analytical, writing, documentation, and collaborative skills.
• Knowledge of the CLB and NCLC, adult ESL/FSL education in Canada, or standards-aligned resource development is strongly preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively and virtually with interdisciplinary teams and translating theoretical concepts into practical tools and resources.
• Work can be completed in either English or French, but bilingualism is an asset and the advisor must collaborate with a bilingual team.
• Consultants are required to have a safe remote working environment and technology necessary for the project. This includes but is not limited to reliable, secure Wi-Fi, laptop, and software (Microsoft Office). The CCLB does not provide technology to consultants or contractors.

ESTIMATED TIME COMMITMENT

• Part-time, casual contract. Up to 10 days (80 hours) between November 30, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Specific hours of work will vary depending on project needs.
• Must have occasional availability between 9:00am and 5:00pm ET for collaborating with various CCLB internal and project teams, who may be located across Canada.