Mental Health Consultant to Develop a MHiW Implementation Guide

I. Background

The National Mental Health in the Workplace (MHiW) initiative was launched by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in Lebanon to strengthen the protection and promotion of employees’ mental health within workplace settings. The initiative is built on the National Charter for Mental Health in the Workplace, which is anchored in three pillars: protecting mental health, promoting mental wellbeing, and supporting recovery at work.

Following its relaunch in 2025, the MHiW initiative has focused on supporting organizations to adopt sustainable, rights-based approaches to workplace mental health through policies, procedures, and organizational practices. The NMHP in collaboration with Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy, and Applied Care (IDRAAC) as the implementing partner, and in coordination with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the initiative seeks to align workplace practices with national mental health priorities and existing legal and institutional frameworks.

To address this gap, IDRAAC and NMHP seek a Mental Health Consultant to develop a clear, step-by-step implementation manual that organizations can use to introduce and sustain mental health in their workplaces.

II. Objective of the Consultancy

To develop a practical, user-friendly step-by-step manual that guides workplaces in Lebanon to identify the need for mental health in their workplace, assess their workplace for psychosocial risk factors, receive capacity building on mental health in the workplace, implement the Mental Health Charter, and monitor outcomes.

III. Duration

• Total consultancy period: 80 hours within the period December 2025 – February 2026.  

IV. Scope of Work / Key Tasks

Within the contract period, the Mental Health Consultant will:

1. Inception & Framework (Day 1)

• Meet with IDRAAC and NMHP to clarify expectations, target audience (e.g. HR, management, NGOs, private sector), and level of detail.
• Propose a structure and table of contents for the manual (e.g. phases, steps, tools).

2. Content Design & Conceptual Framework (Days 2–3)

·        Define a simple, practical implementation model (e.g. 5–7 steps or phases) such as:

·       How to advocate for mental health to the employer

·       Building capacity on mental health in the workplace

·       Identifying risk and protective factors in the workplace

·       Guidelines for conducting baseline assessments

·       How to implement the Mental Health Charter in the workplace

·       Develop, update, or adapt policies and procedures, and integrate mental health into HR processes

·       Practical tips on building worker awareness and skills on mental health

·       Establishing support mechanisms and referral pathways for your workplace

·       Monitor, evaluate, and improve

·       Leading by example: Moving beyond “Do no harm”

• Align the framework with WHO and NMHP guidance where relevant and feasible.

3. Drafting the Manual – Practical Step-by-Step Guidance (Days 4–7)

•          The manual should be practical and action-oriented, and include for each step:

·      Purpose and expected outcomes

·      Specific actions workplaces should take

·      Roles and responsibilities (management, HR, staff representatives, focal point, etc.)

·      Example timelines and sequencing

·      Checklists and simple tools  

•        The content should cover, at minimum:

·       Conducting a baseline assessment of mental health in the workplace (e.g. surveys, focus groups, risk assessment of stressors)

·      Integrating mental health into organizational policies (e.g. anti-harassment, non-discrimination, flexible work arrangements, return-to-work after sick leave)

·      Establishing internal structures such as mental health focal points, committees, or champions

·      Designing awareness and training activities (e.g. mental health literacy, stress management, managing teams, basic psychological first aid)

·      Creating support and referral pathways (internal support, peer support, referral to external MH services or hotlines)

·      Adjusting HR processes (recruitment, performance management, leave policies, accommodations)

·      Setting indicators and simple monitoring tools to track progress

4. Development of Templates and Tools / Annexes (Days 7–8)

• Sample workplace mental health policy or statement of commitment
• Sample terms of reference for a mental health focal point or committee
• Simple assessment tools (e.g. checklist, short survey
  questions)
• Example training plan overview
• Monitoring checklist or dashboard template (basic indicators)

5. Feedback & Finalization (Days 9–10)

• Present the draft manual to IDRAAC and NMHP (and, if possible, 1–2 representative organizations) for feedback
• Revise and finalize the manual based on consolidated inputs
• Prepare a short orientation/slide deck summarizing the manual for future trainings or dissemination

V. Deliverables

1. Inception Note & Proposed Outline

• A summary describing the selected practical implementation model (phases/steps). Short document outlining methodology, target audience, and the proposed structure/table of contents for the manual.

·        2. Conceptual Framework & Implementation Model Summary

•        A summary describing the selected practical implementation model (phases/steps).
•        Explanation of alignment with WHO and NMHP guidance.

3. Draft MHiW Implementation Guide

•         Full draft of the step-by-step manual with:

·      Purpose and outcomes for each step

·      Recommended actions

·      Roles and responsibilities

·      Suggested timelines

·      Checklists and tools

•         Includes all required content areas (baseline assessment, policies, structures, training, HR processes, referral pathways, monitoring).

4. Templates, Tools, and Annexes Package

•          Complete set of annexes, including:

·      Sample workplace mental health policy / statement of commitment

·      Sample TOR for mental health focal point or committee

·      Assess tools (e.g., checklist, short survey)

·      Training plan example

·      Monitoring dashboard or checklist

5. Final Step-by-Step Manual for Organizations

•         Finalized manual that incorporates all feedback from IDRAAC, NMHP, and participating organizations.
•         Ready for design, printing, and online dissemination.
•        Includes all finalized annexes, templates, checklists, and tools.
•        PowerPoint presentation summarizing key concepts, phases, and tools for use in awareness sessions and dissemination.

VI. Reporting & Coordination

• The consultant will report to the Project Officer.
• All deliverables will be submitted in English and Arabic.
• Communication will be mainly through online meetings and email, with at least:

·       1 inception meeting

·       1 feedback meeting on the draft manual

VII. Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Psychology, Public Health, Mental Health, Organizational Psychology, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), preferably including workplace/organizational settings
• Demonstrated experience in developing guidelines, manuals, or training materials
• Familiarity with the Lebanese context and with relevant national frameworks (e.g. NMHP)
• Excellent writing skills in Arabic and English
• Strong facilitation and communication skills
• Preferably trained on the MHiW initiative