Deadline: 29-Jun-25
The World Health Organization is seeking proposals to conduct its LIVE LIFE for Suicide Prevention in Bangladesh: Responsible Media Reporting Initiative.
The purpose of this call is to enter into a contractual agreement with a successful bidder and select a suitable contractor to strengthen the capacity of media professionals across Bangladesh to integrate WHO’s guidelines for responsible suicide reporting into existing delivery mechanisms, reduce the risk of suicide contagion (copycat suicides) and establish monitoring systems.
Objectives
- Collect existing and appropriate media reporting practices and relevant guidelines, including WHO’S media reporting resource, and its local Bangla guide;
- Where/if needed, adapt or update guidelines to the local context and develop training content;
- Engage with key stakeholders, such as media professionals, journalism institutions, and public health representatives, and people who use mental health services to reach consensus on the adapted guidelines and training content;
- Deliver Training of Trainers (ToT) in one batch (15 persons) on responsible media reporting;
- Deliver media training based on the developed materials to a minimum of 80 media professionals in total four batches;
- Develop partnerships with local media bodies to encourage adherence to ethical practices and ongoing monitoring of media reporting related to suicide;
- Establish a mechanism to monitor media reporting trends; and
- Establish an organisational 5-year strategic plan to ensure your organisation’s capacity to continue supporting media training related to suicide beyond the life of this specific project/contract.
Programme Specifications
- WHO requires the successful bidder, the Contractor, to carry out the activities:
- 1st Phase: from July-December 2025:
- Submission of an inception report on the “WHOS LIVE LIFE for suicide prevention in Bangladesh: Responsible media reporting.
- Organize an inception meeting on the program.
- Contextually adapt relevant guidance and training resources developed in Bangladesh.
- Training of trainers (15 persons in one batch) on responsible media reporting.
- Two batches of training for at least 40 media professionals on responsible media reporting.
- Provide the technical and financial reports.
- 2nd phase: from January to September 2026:
- Two batches of training for at least 40 media professionals on responsible media reporting.
- Development of a monitoring mechanism (evaluation framework) in Bangladesh to routinely determine the percentage of a random selection of print and TV articles with content consistent with recommendations about the safe and responsible reporting of suicide.
- Organizational 5-year strategic plan for ongoing support to responsible reporting of suicide, and media monitoring and evaluation.
- Provide the technical and financial reports.
- 1st Phase: from July-December 2025:
Expected Outcomes
- Improved capacity of media professionals to report on suicide responsibly, through training of at least 95 individuals (80 participants for training and 15 participants for Training of Trainers).
- Adapted and contextualized training materials and guidance on responsible suicide reporting, aligned with WHO’S LIVE LIFE strategy and relevant to the Bangladeshi context.
- Established a monitoring and evaluation mechanism to routinely assess the quality of suicide reporting in print and TV media in Bangladesh.
- A 5-year strategic plan developed to ensure sustainable support for responsible media reporting and ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Contractor shall be a for profit, not for profit institution operating in the field of Mental Health/Suicide Prevention/Public Health.
- Mandatory:
- Proven experience in the field of designing and delivering training programs with a focus on mental health or suicide prevention, or public health messaging for at least 5 years.
- A track record of successful implementation of similar (mental health/suicide prevention/public health -related) projects or activities in the last 5 years.
- Previous work with WHO, other international organizations and/or major institutions in the field of mental health/suicide prevention/public health.
- Desirable:
- Experience of completion of at least 2 contracts related to mental health/suicide prevention for WHO, international organization and/or major institution in or outside of Bangladesh for last 5 years, which may include:
- Development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for training programs.
- Suicide prevention initiatives and mental health advocacy in Bangladesh.
- Adaptation of local and international frameworks, such as WHO guidelines, to local contexts.
- Working with the print or electronic media in Bangladesh.
- Experience of completion of at least 2 contracts related to mental health/suicide prevention for WHO, international organization and/or major institution in or outside of Bangladesh for last 5 years, which may include:
- Staffing:
- A Lead/Project Manager of an adequate level of qualification (MBBS – MD in Psychiatry is preferable/Masters’ in Psychology/ Masters’ in Public Health or relevant field) and at least 7 years of relevant experience (please attach a resume to your proposal) shall be dedicated to the project. The designated Project Manager should remain in his/her position throughout the entire implementation process, including his/her consideration of contingency plans in case the focal point is absent.
- A Training Coordinator with a university degree in psychiatry/psychology/public health or a relevant field, with at least 2 years’ experience as a trainer.
- A Training Officer with a university degree in psychiatry/psychology/public health or a relevant field, with at least 1 year experience as a trainer.
For more information, visit World Health Organization.