In order to help countries improve the management of health programmes, The Union has designed a series of courses that address challenges faced by national programme managers and healthcare administrators in limited-resource settings. The Union’s International Management Development Programme (IMDP) strengthens health systems by training health professionals in specific competencies that are critical to the success of health programmes.
The IMDP addresses key issues such as:
- Developing budgets for national health programmes or international donors
- Organising and training health staff across various regions and provinces
- Coordinating medicines and supplies
- Motivating overworked staff
- Creating communications plans to disseminate important health messages
- Adhering to strategies that boost detection rates
Competencies are segmented as per The Union’s competency framework and taught in all courses. All Union courses focus on developing three areas of skill sets:
- Technical Skills
- Managerial Skills
- Functional Skills
IMDP courses actively involve participants through practical, intensive, and well-planned learning experiences which include assessments, case studies, simulations, workshops, and sharing of best practices. In addition, IMDP case workers follow participants after they have left a course to help with the implementation of their action plans which are developed during a course, and are meant as tools for change once a participant has returned to their organisation.
Based on surveys of past participants, IMDP participants are more likely to:
- Be promoted
- Gain more responsibility in their jobs
- Add additional qualifications
Courses are offered throughout the year as to offer flexible schedules for participants. Furthermore, courses are offered in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Russian. For more information, please visit the courses page.