Subject Matter Expert (SME)

About the job

We are looking for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with hands-on experience in Canadian Financial Aid, specifically OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program). The goal is to document OSAP-aligned workflows and produce implementation-ready technical documentation for our system. This is a contract role focused on clear deliverables: process flows, data tables/fields, and sample files/templates that developers can implement. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: OSAP Process & Requirements Document key OSAP-related business processes relevant to institutions and students Identify required data points, validations, statuses, exceptions, and edge cases Define terminology and map it to system concepts (students, programs, terms, enrolment, awards, disbursements, etc.) Technical Diagrams & Data Model Create ERD-style data model diagrams and/or integration diagrams Produce a data dictionary (tables and fields) including: Field name, type, allowed values Constraints / validation rules Relationships / keys (where applicable) Source of truth (entered / imported / calculated) Sample Files / Templates Provide sample files in CSV/Excel/JSON (as appropriate) with realistic structures and example values Include common cases plus edge cases (missing data, changes, cancellations, partial enrolment, etc.) Add short notes explaining each file and how it's used Mapping & Implementation Guidance Provide mapping logic between OSAP-related information and our system schema Recommend audit trail, approvals, privacy, and reconciliation approach (as applicable) DELIVERABLES: OSAP workflow documentation (high-level + detailed) ERD and/or integration diagrams acceptable) Data dictionary (tables/fields) in Excel or Google Sheets Sample files/templates (CSV/Excel/JSON) with example values and notes Optional: user stories and acceptance criteria for engineering implementation REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated OSAP experience (institutional side, vendor side, or implementation/documentation work) Experience creating technical documentation (ERDs, data dictionaries, integration specs) Strong communication with technical teams (developers/architects) NICE TO HAVE: Higher-ed SIS/ERP/CRM experience Familiarity with Canadian privacy requirements (PIPEDA / Ontario considerations) Experience with file-based integrations and/or APIs SCREENING QUESTIONS (PLEASE ANSWER): Describe your OSAP experience: role, duration, and what processes you worked on Have you produced ERDs/data dictionaries/integration specs before? Provide a brief example or sample (sanitized) What diagram tools do you use (Visio, Lucidchart, , etc.)? Can you create sample CSV/Excel/JSON templates with realistic OSAP-style fields and example values? (Yes/No) Your availability over the next 2–4 weeks (hours/week) and your hourly rate PROJECT DETAILS: Contract: short-term (possible extension) Estimated effort: 20–60 hours depending on scope Start: ASAP Work style: remote, async, with 1–2 check-ins per week Contract duration of 1 to 3 months. with 30 hours per week. Mandatory skills: financial aid, OSAP

Requirements

• financial aid
• OSAP
• technical documentation
• data modeling

Preferred Technologies

• financial aid
• OSAP
• technical documentation
• data modeling