Curriculum, Competency-Based Education and Training, and Work Based Learning Consultant

Summary of Consultancy:
IREX (International Research & Exchanges Board) is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to provide curriculum, competency-based education and training, and work-based learning expertise for the anticipated Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)-funded TVET Technical Support Consultancy in Belize. The consultancy will support MCA-Belize and the Government of Belize in designing and implementing the Training and Transitioning to Work Activity, which aims to strengthen the governance, quality, and labour-market relevance of Belize’s TVET system and improve learners’ transition from training into employment.

The Curriculum, CBET and WBL Consultant responsibilities will include supporting the design, adaptation, and quality assurance of competency-based TVET curricula; developing practical tools and guidance for competency-based education and training; and designing work-based learning models that connect training providers, employers, and learners. The consultant will work closely with IREX technical staff, MCA-Belize, Sector Skills Councils, TVET providers, and employer partners to ensure that curriculum and WBL approaches are employer-responsive and aligned with national and regional qualifications frameworks. The consultancy is expected to take place from early 2027 to mid-2028, subject to award and funding. Periodic travel to Belize will be required.

** This consultancy is contingent upon funding**
IREX reserves the right to withdraw this request for proposals at any time up to the award of the contract.

Proposal Requirements
Individuals interested in furnishing this service must submit a CV which demonstrates the consultant's experience and capacity to:

• Facilitate participatory curriculum co-design processes with TVET instructors, private sector experts, Sector Skills Councils, and other stakeholders.
• Develop, adapt, and quality assure competency-based TVET curricula aligned with occupational standards, employer requirements, and national or regional qualifications frameworks.
• Design practical tools, templates, and guidance for competency-based education and training, including learning outcomes, assessment methods, modular course structures, and trainer-facing materials.
• Design and facilitate TVET instructor and leadership professional development.
• Develop work-based learning models, guidelines, and implementation tools for internships, apprenticeships, industry attachments, project-based learning, and other workplace training modalities.
• Support training provider and employer readiness for WBL, including trainee preparation, workplace supervision, safeguarding, assessment, feedback, and placement tracking.

The ideal consultant will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, TVET, curriculum development, workforce development, instructional design, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in TVET curriculum development, competency-based education and training, workforce development, or related technical assistance.
• Demonstrated expertise in CBET curriculum design, occupational standards, modular and stackable credentials, assessment design, and alignment of training programs with employer-defined competencies.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or strengthening work-based learning systems, including internships, apprenticeships, industry attachments, workplace projects, employer supervision, and learner transition support.
• Experience working with TVET providers, ministries, qualification authorities, sector skills councils, employers, or industry associations to improve training quality and labour-market relevance.
• Demonstrated understanding of adult learning principles, inclusive training design, and practical approaches for supporting diverse learners, instructors, and institutions.
• Experience facilitating workshops, stakeholder consultations, validation sessions, training-of-trainers, or co-design processes with public, private, and civil society stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, professional written deliverables in English.
• Experience working constructively as part of a multidisciplinary team, including in virtual or hybrid settings.
• Knowledge of Caribbean Vocational Qualifications, regional qualifications frameworks, competency standards, accreditation, or quality assurance systems relevant to TVET is preferred
• Professional experience in Belize and/or the Caribbean region is preferred; proficiency in Spanish is an asset.

IREX may at its discretion ask for additional information, including references. Issuing this call does not commit IREX to select any applicant/expert. IREX may select more than one candidate from this call.

Proposal Submission Requirements
If you are interested in providing this service, please submit a CV to this application that includes your daily rate requirements, no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on September 11, 2026. Late submissions will only be considered if in the best interests of the project, and then at IREX’s sole discretion.
All proposals submitted must be valid for a period of not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date indicated above.

Candidate Evaluation
The criteria are listed in descending order starting with the most important factors to be evaluated.
Previous experience (65%)
Qualifications (15%)
Cost (20%)

Renewal
IREX reserves the right, based on availability of funding and vendor performance, to enter into subsequent contractual agreements with the winning vendor for a period of up to three years without issuing a new RFP.