Tenders Are Invited For Psychiatric Consultant For Provision Of Psychiatric Consultation, And Technical Support And Supervision, Including Leadership Of A Community Of Practice

Tenders are invited for Psychiatric Consultant for Provision of Psychiatric Consultation, And Technical Support and Supervision, Including Leadership of a Community of Practice Closing Date: Friday, 07. Aug 2026 Intervention Sector(s): Mental Health 1. CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION1.1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXTLebanon is currently facing a profound mental health crisis, with an estimated one in four individuals affected by common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. This growing crisis is the result of both longstanding and recent stressors, including protracted armed conflict, political and economic instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing refugee crisis stemming from neighboring countries.Recent studies highlight the severity of the situation, with 47.8% of people screening positive for probable depression, 45.3% for anxiety, and 43.5% for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite these alarming figures, more than 90% of those in need do not receive adequate mental health care. This treatment gap is driven by a largely privatized healthcare system, high service costs, limited availability of specialized services, and persistent social stigma and misconceptions surrounding mental illness and its treatment.In response, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) launched its first National Mental Health Strategy in 2015 and subsequently developed the National Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy 20242030, which prioritizes improved access to quality Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services. A key pillar of this strategy is the integration of MHPSS into the Primary Health Care (PHC) system, aiming to ensure accessible, decentralized, and comprehensive care for all population groups, including those affected by conflict and displacement.Supporting these national efforts, Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) implements MHPSS programming across multiple regions of Lebanon, including Beirut and Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, Akkar, Tripoli, Nabatieh, and South Lebanon. Through collaboration with selected Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) and community-based structures, PUI provides both specialized and non-specialized MHPSS services, contributing to increased access to quality mental health care for vulnerable Lebanese, refugees, and conflict-affected populations. 1.2. RATIONAL AND OVERALL OBJECTIVESThe Psychiatrist Consultant will provide technical expertise and support to projects focused on improving access to quality care for individuals with mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) conditions through the integration of mental health services within primary healthcare settings. The consultant will further support PUIs mental health programming by providing technical guidance on the assessment, referral, hospitalization, and follow-up of individuals with severe mental health conditions requiring inpatient psychiatric care.The consultant will work in close coordination with PUIs and partners MHPSS team, which includes MHPSS Specialists, MHPSS and protection program manager, psychologists, and social workers, under the overall guidance of the MHPSS and protection Coordinator. Collaboration with trained general practitioners (GPs) and family doctorswho are implementing the NMHP care package within PHCs is also a key component of the role.The psychiatrist will be responsible for three primary areas of work:1.Provision of Psychiatric Consultations:The consultant will provide clinical consultations for moderate to severe MNS disorder cases referred by PUIs MHPSS team and trained PHCC-based GPs, or other partners following the patient flow protocols recommended by the NMHP. The psychiatrist may receive direct referrals of patients with more severe mental health conditions or those at imminent risk of self-harm or harm to others.While accomplishing these tasks, the Psychiatrist consultant will be expected to travel between multiple PHCCs supported by PUI under different donor-funded programs. Therefore, they may take on responsibilities across different geographic areas, depending on program priorities and their availability. Specific locations will be determined in consultation with the PUI MHPSS team.Start day: September 2026 and January 2027 depending on the need2. Technical Supervision and Support through Community of Practice (CoP) Sessions:The psychiatrist will facilitate a community of practice sessions to provide clinical supervision and technical support to GPs managing patients with mental health conditions. These sessions are intended to reinforce clinical skills and build confidence of healthcare providers, particularly in applying the NMHP care package, which focuses on the management of individuals with MNS disorders.Start day: September 2026 and January 2027 depending on the need3. Technical support for the assessment and decision-making to the hospitalization of individuals with severe mental health conditions requiring inpatient careThe psychiatrist will act as a clinical reviewer for psychiatric cases, conducting independent clinical assessments to determine eligibility for PUI-funded hospitalization. In line with the agreed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for hospitalization of sever MH cases, support PUI efforts in the implementation of hospitalization services, including emergency support for individuals with severe mental health conditions (standby where there is a need for an urgent support). This includes conducting clinical assessments and providing recommendations regarding the need for hospitalization; ensuring timely referrals in coordination with the PUI MHPSS team and based on vulnerability assessments; monitoring treatment progress and the quality of care provided; reviewing and providing technical approval for requests related to laboratory investigations and diagnostic tests (LIDTs) that are not covered under the agreed terms with the hospital; and supporting case review, discharge planning, and case closure processes.Start date: September 2026 2. CONSULTANCY SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES-Provide psychiatric consultations for moderate to severe MNS conditions.-Offer Supervision and technical support to GPs through community of practice sessions (CoPs) for the clinical management of patients with mental health conditions.-Provide technical support and clinical guidance in decision-making regarding the hospitalization of individuals with severe mental health conditions requiring inpatient care. 3. METHODOLOGY3.1 provision of Psychiatric Consultations:The psychiatrist will receive internal and external two-way referrals of patients with varying severity of mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) conditions from PUIs MHPSS staff and trained GPs at PHCCs.S/he will evaluate and diagnose patients, including ordering and interpreting LIDT, and provide treatment for moderate to severe MNS conditions by adhering to professional best practice clinical guidelines and procedures developed by the organization.Provide services without regard to ethnicity, gender, or religion and abide by basic human rights principles and ensure the confidentiality of clients and respecting their decisions.S/he will follow up with patients to monitor treatment response, adjusting treatment plans as necessary in collaboration with trained GPs.Consultations will primarily take place at PU-AMI-supported PHCCs across different locations, with home visits provided for patients with limited mobility and or severe mental health conditions.The psychiatrist will ensure proper documentation by completing psychiatric assessment and follow-up forms for each patient and, when required, entering data into the National Health Information System.S/he will actively participate in clinical and administrative meetings to address practical challenges and contribute to reporting on services delivered, while contributing to a safe and collaborative working environment where self-care as well as care of colleagues is prioritized.Start day: September 2026 and January 2027 depending on the need3.2 Technical Supervision and Community of practice for the MH GAP trained health staff.The psychiatrist will design the CoPs by staying aligned with the NMHP suggested supervision modality as well as by filling out the relevant templates to be able to keep pertinent proofing documents in place.The psychiatrist is expected to coordinate with the PUIs MHPSS Specialist and MHPSS Team Manager for the quality and monitoring of those CoPs.The psychiatrist will adopt pre and posts tests to demonstrate the increased knowledge and skills after completion of the supervision cycle by utilizing templates to be given by PUI.Start day: September 2026 and January 2027 depending on the need3.3 Support the psychiatric hospitalization process for individuals with severe mental health conditions requiring inpatient careThe psychiatrist will act as an independent clinical reviewer for cases referred to hospitalization from other psychiatrists/organizations/actors.Provide clinical guidance and technical approval for hospitalization to support decision-making regarding the hospitalization of individuals with severe mental health conditions requiring inpatient care.Provide psychiatric consultation and recommendations for emergency mental health cases requiring urgent assessment and intervention.Work closely with the PUI MHPSS team to review and validate that LIDTs requested by hospitals are clinically justified and aligned with national and international mental health guidelines.Coordinate with PUI contracted psychiatrist hospitals to monitor patients treatment progress and the quality of care provided during hospitalization, and provide technical recommendations as needed.Review and provide clinical approval regarding requests from hospitals for extended inpatient stays beyond the initially approved period, based on clinical need and treatment progress.Review and provide technical approv Tender Link : https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/premiere-urgence-aide-medicale-internationale/calls/psychiatric-consultant-provision-psychiatric-consultation-and-technical-support-and-supervision-1