Strengthening Community-Based MHPSS Capacity in Primary Healthcare through Training and Support for Health and Non-Health Care Staff

1                Timeline

CEI Reference number

CEIFPI004

Posted (date)

29 August 2025

Application Deadline

5th September 2025

Implementation Start Date

15th October 2025 

Implementation End Date

30th November 2026

2                Locations

                  Target Locations and Beneficiaries  

The project will be implemented across Lebanon targeting South, North, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Beqaa governorates. Priority will be given to locations heavily impacted by the conflict that host IDPs. The other locations might change based on evolving information derived from consultations with the National Mental Health Program (NMHP) which operates under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), national stakeholders and service mapping exercises that identify at-risk populations and availability of partners. Through continuous assessments and monitoring, the project will be constantly adapted to the needs of the affected population. Accordingly, the target beneficiaries will be host and displaced communities across different population groups.

3                Sector(s) and area(s) of specialization

                Protection, Health and MHPSS

The overall objective of the project is to enhance individual and communal mental health and psychosocial well-being by mitigating the negative psychological impacts of the conflict and support efforts to promote social cohesion, peace and recovery during the post-conflict period. In turn, a sense of hope, solidarity and mutual support within and between communities will be fostered, potentially leading to reduced tensions, violence prevention, a restored social fabric, and promotion of long-term stability. 

In line with Lebanon's National Mental Health Strategy and the NMHP, the proposed project seeks to complement existing MHPSS responses to the consequences of conflict and ongoing displacement crisis by consulting and collaborating with existing MHPSS stakeholders to ensure a harmonized approach, avoid duplication, and optimize geographical coverage and service delivery. 

4                Issuing Agency

IOM

5              Project Background

Lebanon has historically faced multiple challenges due to the ongoing socio-economic and political crises, further compounded by the conflict that commenced in October 2023 and escalated in September 2024. As part of its efforts to support the Government of Lebanon (GoL) throughout the escalation of violence and in its aftermath, IOM aims to contribute to promoting psychosocial resilience and supporting social cohesion efforts among affected communities in Lebanon through comprehensive community-based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services and capacity-building initiatives with local governmental and non-governmental partners.

One of the outputs within this project aims to expand access to mental health services within primary health care centers (PHCCs) to address the profound effects of Lebanon’s ongoing socio-economic crisis and conflict on the well-being of displaced and conflict-affected communities, adopting a community-centered approach to mental health care. IOM will work with the NMHP under MoPH through an implementing partner to integrate community-based inter-linked mental health services in line with the national model of care at selected PHCC(s) and in alignment with the National Mental Health strategy 2023-2030.

6                Expected Results

Objective: Contribute to enhancing the mental health and psychosocial well-being of conflict-affected and displaced communities in Lebanon

In line with Lebanon’s National Mental Health Strategy and in close coordination with the NMHP, the proposed project seeks to complement existing MHPSS responses to the consequences of conflict and ongoing displacement crisis by consulting and collaborating with existing MHPSS stakeholders to ensure a harmonized approach, avoid duplication, and optimize geographical coverage and service delivery.   

For a period of up to one year or less, selected partner(s) will have the opportunity to propose and implement MHPSS services through selected PHCC(s) in line with the national model of care at PHCCs and in close coordination with the NMHP.

Outcome 1: Improved access to dignified and culturally appropriate MHPSS services for displaced and conflict-affected populations

Output 1.1: Availability and accessibility of quality MHPSS resources and services for displaced and conflict-affected communities are enhanced through PHCCs and community-based initiatives.

Activities under Output 1.1 

Activity 1.1.1 – Provide focused and specialized MHPSS services to individuals in need through PHCCs.

• The IP will support the provision of focused and specialized MHPSS services through a selected PHCC in line with the national model of care and in close coordination with the NMHP, this will enhance integrated mental health care at the selected PHCC, ensuring no duplication of efforts while expanding access to community-based support
• The selected PHCC will have a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist and a care coordinator, alongside a team of trained general practitioners, nurses, midwives and social workers, to provide specialized and focused MHPSS services respectively,
• The IP will implement a comprehensive referral system that facilitates safe and dignified referrals to the PHCC for specialized mental health services (counselling, psychiatric consultations, provision of psychotropic medications)
• Services provided through the IP's PMTs are made available to all community members, host, returned and displaced communities

7                Indicative Budget

The proposals submitted should be between USD 50,000 and USD 120,000 at a maximum. In line with IOM’s regulations, the budget will be paid in separate installments, depending on agreed project deliverables.

8                Other Information

9                Selection Criteria 

Name

Description

Weight

Relevance of proposal to achieving expected results

• Relevance of proposal to achieving expected results;
• Experience in delivering evidence based mental health services in line with the national model of care at PHCCs
• Experience in collaboration with the NMHP
• Adequacy and clarity of the proposed budget (including contribution by the prospective IP);
• Relevant technical expertise and experience in working with a different range of stakeholders at national and local levels,
• Demonstrated efficient financial management systems and the ability to comply with reporting requirements
• Experience in applying key principles such as inclusion, equality, accountability, participation, and universality

60

Sustainability of intervention

• Experience in partnering with key institutions at national and local levels to ensure a comprehensive handover and sustainability of the intervention after the completion of the project
• Demonstrated ability to local stakeholders including community leaders and local communities, including marginalized and vulnerable populations, in the design, implementation and delivery of services

20

Other

• Experience in adopting conflict sensitivity approaches during service implementation,
• Experience in age and gender mainstreaming skills to apply during implementation of the programmes, along with inclusion of persons with disabilities,
• Demonstrated efficient financial management systems and the ability to comply with reporting requirements

20

10.                   Attachments

URL

Annex A - Terms of Reference.docx

Annex B - Implementing partner references checklist.docx

Annex C - Implementing Partners General Information Questionnaire.docx

Annex D - Template-for-IP-Concept-Note-with-Guideline.docx

Annex E – Project Budget.xlsx

Annex F - Declaration-of-Conformity-for IP.docx

The organizations responding to this call need to demonstrate their capacity to implement all listed activities as a single package. Partial applications for individual activities will not be considered.

IOM reserves the right to cancel/reduce the scope of planned activities or to introduce new/broaden the scope of the existing activities. Selected Implementing partner needs to be ready to develop a detailed budget based on submitted proposal in two weeks upon receiving the notification from IOM.

All applicants will receive written notification, within the two weeks after the deadline for the submission of Concept Note, of the outcome of the selection process. Should an applicant request further clarification, IOM will provide a response explaining the transparency and integrity of the selection process undertaken.

IOM reserves the right to decline disclosure of the specificity of decision derived by the IOM mission due to reasons related to confidentiality.

IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any Expression of Interest, and to annul the selection process and reject all Expression of Interest at any time, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Implementing Partners.

For more information, please contact hiramadan@iom.int.