IMS Tier 2: Working in WHO’s Incident Management System

Every individual working in emergencies for WHO must be familiar with the Incident Management System (IMS). This course builds on the introductory IMS course to provide a deeper understanding of the system that WHO uses to organize and manage its response. It should be completed by all current or potential members of IMS functional teams, including non-WHO staff who will deploy.

Self-paced
Language: English
Intermediate (Intermediaire), Not disease specific

Course information

This course is also available in the following languages:

français - русский - Español - Português - العربية

Overview: Every individual working in emergencies for WHO must be familiar with the Incident Management System (IMS). This course builds on the introductory IMS course to provide a deeper understanding of the system that WHO uses to organize and manage its response. It should be completed by all current or potential members of IMS functional teams, including non-WHO staff who will deploy.

The course consists of 5 modules with audio narration and quiz. It covers: (1) the key elements of WHO’s IMS and working in Emergency Operations Centres; (2) how the functional teams within the IMS work together; (3) the ethical standards that are required to be upheld by those deployed by WHO during an emergency response; (4) how to work effectively in a team; and (5) the process of deploying and staying healthy.

Before enrolling, participants are recommended to complete the introductory IMS course, which is available here.

Learning objectives: By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

  • explain the role of the Incident Management System in WHO's emergency response;
  • describe the roles of the functions within WHO's IMS;
  • describe the ethical principles which underpin WHO's work in emergencies;
  • explain different factors that contribute to effective teamwork; and
  • describe how to prepare for a deployment.

Course duration: Approximately 3 hours.

Certificates: A record of achievement is offered at the end of the course to those who earn more than 80% of the maximum number of points from all graded assignments. Participants who receive a Record of Achievement can also download an Open Badge for this course. Click here to learn how.

Course contents

  • Module 1: Working in WHO's Incident Management System:

    This module will outline the key elements of WHO's Incident Management System and working in Emergency Operation Centres.
  • Module 2: Incident Management System Functional Areas:

    In this module, you will become familiar with the different functional areas of the Incident Management System.
  • Module 3: Ethics and Values:

    This module covers the ethical standards that are required to be upheld by those deployed by WHO during an emergency response, and the links between values, principles and actions.
  • Module 4: Team Dynamics:

    In this module, you will become familiar with how team members are to relate to one another in emergency settings.
  • Module 5: Me and the Mission:

    In this module, you will receive an overview of how to prepare for a mission, deploy and return safely.

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The course is free. Just register for an account on OpenWHO and take the course!
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Learners enrolled: 19819

Certificate Requirements

  • Gain a Record of Achievement by earning at least 80% of the maximum number of points from all graded assignments.