Employee Assistance Program for WPRO (Албания - Тендер #70429274)

Background

Staff mental health is an important issue, however no readily available professional mental health support, such as counselling services, is currently accessible to staff in the Region. Prior to the current contract with InTouch Community Services, staff requiring mental health and psychosocial support could contact the Staff Counsellor at Headquarters (HQ) or request a referral from the Regional Staff Physician. However, due to significant time differences, stigma, confidentiality concerns, and other barriers, these services were not considered easily accessible particularly for staff members stationed in country offices.

According to a survey conducted by the WPRO Staff Association (SA) in 2016, more than half of the respondents frequently experienced high levels of work-related stress or anxiety that led them to take sick leave. However, this survey provided only limited information, and there may be several other mental health issues that staff could be experiencing.

The importance of providing psychosocial support to staff has been raised. Both WPROs Staff Health and Wellbeing Committee and the WPRO Steering Group on the Respectful Workplace Initiative have recommended the provision of psychosocial support, particularly counselling services, as a key component of promoting staff well-being. In addition, during preparations for World Health Day 2017 which focused on depression, the Regional Office mental health team, the Regional Staff Physician, and the WPRO Staff Association initiated discussions on how to provide mental health support to staff in the Region. Various options were explored, including hiring a staff counsellor and engaging an external service provider. It was agreed that engaging an external provider would be the most efficient and cost-effective approach, as it could offer support to staff across all duty stations in the Region.

WHO is seeking for a qualified, eligible and competent proposer for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for WPRO to all staff and non-staff (e.g. consultants and Special Service Agreement holders) in the Region, which will include, at a minimum, an emergency hotline and counselling services.