UK-PHRST, in partnership with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), has the unique expertise and capability to deliver GOARN’s Tier 1.5 training.

What is GOARN Tier 1.5 Training?

GOARN's Tier 1.5 training represents a stepping stone in the three-tier competency-based training programme developed by the World Health Organization and its partners. Whilst Tier 1 provides foundational online learning and Tier 2 offers intensive 5-day scenario-based training, Tier 1.5 serves as an interactive bridge that transforms theoretical knowledge into practical readiness for international deployment. The third tier includes training on outbreak response leadership targeted to outstanding experienced deployees who would be likely to take on a leadership or coordination role on deployment.

This engaging workshop introduces public health professionals to the realities of working within international multidisciplinary outbreak response teams, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter when deploying with GOARN and WHO.

Training overview

Image credits: Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)

This training serves public health and emergency response professionals across multiple disciplines, including epidemiology, infection prevention and control, clinical management, laboratory services, coordination, risk communications, and community engagement. The programme can be tailored for specific technical disciplines or adapted for multidisciplinary audiences.

This highly interactive workshop is a mixture of presentations, case studies, sharing of deployment experiences and open discussions among participants and faculty. It is usually delivered as one-day event, however it can be adapted to either longer or shorted as needed, depending upon the learning needs of the participants and context of the workshop.

Learning Objectives

Participants completing this workshop will gain comprehensive understanding across four key areas:

  • GOARN operations and structure - understanding the network's purpose, focus areas, and international assistance processes for public health emergencies
  • Field skills - learning to adapt public health interventions for low-resource, dynamic environments and developing effective stakeholder engagement strategies.
  • Professional development - mastering interpersonal communication, team working skills, and cultural competency for diverse outbreak response settings.
  • Deployment readiness - gaining practical insights into the deployment process, wellbeing management, and accessing further development opportunities within the GOARN Training Programme.

UK-PHRST delivers this training through a carefully selected team of facilitators in our Capacity Strengthening team, who combine extensive GOARN and WHO field experience with proven adult learning expertise. This includes former deployees who provide authentic insights into the realities, challenges, and rewards of international outbreak response work.

For more information about UK-PHRST's GOARN Tier 1.5 training capability or to discuss tailored delivery options, please contact UK-PHRST.