The role

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) is responsible for the curriculum architecture and quality assurance for Design for the FET phase (Grades 10, 11, and 12). The role ensures that the transition from theory to practical application is seamless within an online environment and meets the specific portfolio (PAT) requirements of SACAI.

The role brings teaching expertise into the development process, ensuring that the qualification content generated within the framework is accurate, complete, and aligned to the technical requirements of the subject.

Key responsibilities

1. Curriculum Design

• Build a detailed course outline for Design for Grades 10, 11, and 12, ensuring all design disciplines, history of design, and theoretical components are logically sequenced.

2. Quality Assurance

• Review and QA one term’s worth of module drafts for each grade (10, 11, and 12), ensuring technical accuracy, visual clarity, and alignment with NSC/SACAI practical requirements.
  

Skills and experience required

Essential knowledge and experience

• A relevant teaching qualification (B.Ed, PGCE, or equivalent) and proven experience teaching Design at the FET level.
• Practical expertise in Design principles to verify whether content is accurate, current, and fit for purpose.
• Strong written communication skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify inaccuracies, gaps, weak explanations, or linguistic nuances in digital content, and correct these effectively.
• Ability to work independently and manage assigned deliverables within the September–December 2026 window.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new systems, platforms, and digital tools, including AI-enabled workflows.

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Familiarity with instructional design and learning science principles.
• Experience in reviewing, developing, or quality assuring learning content.

Key attributes

• Reliable and professional in managing commitments.
• Proactive communicator who raises questions, risks, or delays early.
• Detail-oriented and quality-conscious.
• Organised, responsive, and able to follow agreed ways of working.
  

What success looks like

• The SME can quickly understand the qualification structure and build robust course outlines for all five grades.
• The SME spots when content is wrong, incomplete, or linguistically weak and improves it in ways that add clear value.
• The SME ensures that content is not only accurate but also well-structured and visually clear to support an engaging online learning experience.