Contract roles | Multiple positions | Work from home

Open Polytechnic is seeking expressions of interest from experienced subject specialists, reviewers and cultural advisers to support the redevelopment of Business programmes and courses at Levels 3, 4 and 5.

Multiple contractor positions are available across the programme suite. Work is expected to commence from late January 2027 and will be allocated according to subject expertise, programme requirements and project need.

Open Polytechnic is New Zealand’s specialist provider of open and distance learning. The programmes and courses will be designed for flexible online delivery and supported through established academic, learning-design, assessment and quality-assurance processes.

Opportunities available

Subject Matter Expert/Content Creator (SME/CC)
Content Reviewer (CR)

Programme scope

Opportunities may be available across the following areas:

Level 3 Business: Administration and Technology; Introduction to Small Business.
Level 4 Business: Accounting Support Services; Small Business; Administration and Technology; Project Management.
Level 5 Business: Core strand courses covering business environments, functions, Te Tiriti, stakeholder communication, change and innovation, and, Accounting, Administration and Technology, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Sales and Project Management strands.

Applicants may express interest in one or more programme levels, qualifications, strands or subject areas. Appointment to a role does not require applicants to cover the full Business suite.

About the roles

Subject Matter Expert (SME)/Content Creator

SMEs will provide current academic, industry and professional expertise to write courseware and assessment content. Depending on the assigned work package, SMEs may:

write accurate, current and level-appropriate course content to the agreed scope, sequence and depth.
develop topic plans, learning activities, worked examples and assessment content aligned with course learning outcomes and concepts.
work directly with Learning Designers and project specialists to draft, refine and complete allocated content.
research, select and correctly reference credible, relevant and accessible source material.
ensure drafted content aligns with qualification outcomes, Skill Standards and current industry expectations.
produce complete draft modules, specialist explanations, examples, scenarios and supporting resources for development.
revise and finalise content in response to review feedback within agreed project timeframes.

Content Reviewer (CR)

Content Reviewers will conduct an independent peer review of courseware and assessment content written by the Subject Matter Expert (SME). Depending on the assigned work package, Content Reviewers may:

check technical accuracy, currency, completeness and professional relevance.
confirm that content is appropriate for the stated qualification level and learner group.
identify gaps, duplication, unsupported claims or areas needing clarification.
check consistency between learning outcomes, content, activities and assessments.
provide clear, constructive and evidence-based review comments.

What we are looking for

Applicants should demonstrate experience relevant to the role or roles being applied for, including:

relevant and current academic, professional, industry, teaching, training or advisory expertise, at least one level higher than the course being written for.
knowledge of one or more Business subject areas at Levels 3, 4 or 5.
an understanding of adult learners and online or distance education.
the ability to communicate complex information clearly and in plain English.
the ability to work collaboratively with Learning Designers, academic staff, assessment specialists and project teams.
the ability to provide reliable, evidence-based input and meet agreed deliverables and deadlines.
attention to accuracy, consistency and document control.
eligibility to work in New Zealand.

The following experience would be advantageous:

experience developing or reviewing tertiary courseware and assessments.
knowledge of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework;
experience working with Graduate Profile Outcomes or Skill Standards.
experience with NZQA, moderation or tertiary quality-assurance requirements.
experience designing for open, distance and flexible learning.
knowledge of accessibility, inclusive practice, academic integrity and learner-authorship considerations.

Contract arrangement

Engagement type

Contractor roles for fixed deliverables

Number of positions

Multiple positions available

Expected commencement

Late January 2027

Delivery arrangement

Work from home, with online meetings and workshops as required

Allocation of work

By programme, qualification, strand, course or specialist work package, according to expertise and project need

Duration

3 to 5 months

Hrs per week

10 to 15 hrs

This is a contractor opportunity for fixed deliverables. The amount and timing of work will depend on the role, assigned work package and stage of development. Final scope, deliverables, availability and contracting arrangements will be confirmed before appointment.

How to submit your expression of interest

Please apply through the Open Polytechnic careers site and include:

a current CV or résumé;
a cover letter outlining the role or roles you are interested in;
your relevant academic, professional, industry, teaching, review or cultural-advisory experience;
your specific Business subject areas and programme levels of expertise; and
your availability from late January 2027.

Please submit your expression of interest by 5 pm Friday the 30th of October 2026.

Questions

For further information about these contractor opportunities, please contact [email protected]