Request for Proposals: Educational package Development on Ocean Education (Thailand)

Deadline: 13-Feb-25

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) is seeking a contractor to develop an educational package on Ocean Education in Thailand as part of the “Sustaining Our Oceans: Building Healthy Relationships with Oceans in South-East Asia through Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Project”.

Through the ‘Sustaining Our Oceans’ project funded by Fast Retailing Co., Ltd, UNESCO seeks to engage young people in Thailand on fostering future ocean sustainability leaders. This initiative will develop innovative educational materials to empower young learners and teachers in marine conservation, targeting UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Reserve Site in Ranong, Thailand, using digital tools, technology and hands-on experiences.

Objectives

• The objective of this component is to:
  • design and implement engaging, technology-enhanced educational materials promoting marine conservation,
  • strengthen the capacity of site managers and educators to utilize these materials effectively, and
  • incorporate innovative elements such as gamified learning tools, virtual reality, and the use of recycled marine debris into educational practices that engage students and teachers in marine conservation efforts. These materials will integrate technology, including games, hands-on activities, and recycled marine debris tools, into learning experiences. To this purpose, UNESCO is seeking to hire a contractor to specifically:
    • Develop educational packages for use in primary and secondary schools in the context of the MAB Reserve in Ranong based on the findings from the Situational Analysis of Marine Conservation Education conducted in 2024 under a contract with UNESCO. Access to relevant data and reports, including the 2024 Situational Analysis will be provided by UNESCO;
    • Build the capacity of site managers and educators/teachers in using these materials for marine conservation.

Eligible Activities

• The contractor will perform the tasks under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, the overall guidance of Education Section Chief, and the direct supervision by Education Programme Specialist, the Contractor shall perform the following activities:
  • Project Planning and Inception
    • Develop a detailed workplan, timeline and budget for UNESCO approval.
  • Development of Education Materials
    • Design a Marine Conservation Educational Package for primary and secondary students, integrating digital tools and marine plastic debris materials in collaboration with stakeholders in and around UNESCO Ranong Biosphere Reserve. The design should incorporate insights from the 2024 Situational Analysis of Marine Conservation Education;
    • Create gamified and interactive learning tools, incorporating actions addressing marine plastic debris into learning tools, virtual reality games, and hands-on workshops as well as handout materials (PDF) for teachers and students;
    • Plan and execute an innovative exhibition on marine conservation education for visitors in the Ranong Mangrove Research Center;
    • On-site Testing: pilot-test prototype materials with students and teachers in Ranong participating in the project, revising the prototype based on feedback to refine educational materials;
    • Final prototype of education materials developed in three languages: Thai, English and Myanmar language.
  • Training and Capacity Building
    • Support UNESCO in conducting the training for Site Managers (1-day provisionally in Ranong): Train how to utilize newly developed education materials and improve their educational efforts on marine conservation;
    • Support UNESCO in conducting the Teacher Training Workshop (1-day provisionally in Ranong – 1 occurrences): Train primary and secondary school teachers to integrate marine conservation into lesson plans using new materials and UNESCO knowledge product;
    • Develop a user-friendly teacher’s guide for SOO educational package.
  • Technological Development and Maintenance
    • Observe and maintain hands-on learning activities using the SOO prototype educational package and collect information to improve the prototype;
    •  Create an online platform (website and Learning Management System) to host the educational package;
    •  Provide client services and IT support and maintenance services for all platforms and the developed educational package and related materials for a minimum of 2 years.
  • Documentation and Communication
    • Collect high-quality visual documentation (e.g. photos and videos) and testimonies from key activities, including the development, training and piloting phases of the SOO educational package;
    • Curate and select the most impactful materials to be featured in project exhibitions, communication campaigns, and outreach initiatives.

Duration

• The activities shall be completed by 14 November 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• The successful organization/company will possess the following qualifications:
  • Required Qualifications:
    • At least 10 years of experience in developing educational materials using digital and technological tools (e.g., online games, VR/AR);
    • Knowledge in marine conservation and sustainability and experience in working with Ranong Biosphere Reserve is desirable;
    • Advanced expertise in project management, design thinking, and prototyping;
    • Have a roster of allied professionals in fields related to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and VR/AR software development, who can be called upon to undertake or participate in the planned activities.
    • Fluency in English and Thai is required.
  • Desirable Qualifications:
    • Having VR/AR software developer as part of the team is desirable;
    • Previous experience international organizations, UNESCO and/or the UN system including World Bank Group is desirable.

For more information, visit UNESCO.