The UK Health Security Agency’s IHR Strengthening Project (IHR-SP) has collaborated with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) National Training Centre (NTC) to enhance EPHI leadership.
The teams partnered to co-design and co-deliver a EPHI Directors Leadership Training programme, which took place in Hawassa from 3-5th October 2024. This built upon previous training delivered by IHR-SP in August 2022, which focused on the core elements of leadership, whilst this recent workshop allowed the participants to consider a new model of leadership and explore how leadership practices can enable the delivery of EPHI strategy. A total of 29 EPHI leaders took part in the workshop, from all directorates and offices of the institute.
Meeting our partners’ learning needs
To ensure the training programme would meet the needs of EPHI, the IHR-SP Workforce Development team worked closely with Mr. Muhammed Ahmed, Director of EPHI’s NTC to conduct a learning needs assessment. Following several iterative conversations around the learning needs and most appropriate ways to address these three themes were identified:
- Leading my directorate
- Leading EPHI as a National Public Health Institute, and
- EPHI as a system leader
The objectives of the workshop were to develop knowledge, skills and leadership behaviours of senior leaders, and to build a culture of true collaborative and shared leadership.
Bringing teams together
Ahead of the workshop, a UKHSA Senior Leadership delegation, led by Mr Richard Gleave, Director of Science Strategy and Dr Anne Wilson, Head of IHR-SP met with Dr Mesay Hailu, Director General of EPHI (image to right). The discussion highlighted the robust partnership between the two organisations, recognised our shared goals and priorities, and the value of learning from each other’s experiences in senior leadership, change management, and overcoming organisational challenges. They agreed on the need for equipping public health leaders with critical capabilities to address complex health issues, aligning with EPHI’s strategic plan to enhance leadership and governance in public health and to lead within a complex system.
Interactive teaching methods
Dr Mesay Hailu Director General of EPHI formally opened the workshop, and outlined the main objectives, focusing on strengthening the leadership skills of EPHI’s Management Council members.
Images above from left to right: Dr Mesay Hailu – Director General, EPHI; Mr Muhammed Ahmed – Director, National Training Centre EPHI, and Mr Sajil Liaqat – Country Lead, UKHSA -Ethiopia, opening the workshop; and Dr Anne Wilson moderating a panel discussion entitled “Leading EPHI as a National Public Health Institute,” with Dr. Mesay Hailu, along with his deputies Dr. Getachew Tollera, Dr. Saro Abdella, and Dr. Melkamu Abte and Mr Richard Gleave as panellists.
The workshop was led by Mr Richard Gleave, Dr Anne Wilson and Mr Sajil Liaqat, IHR-SP Country Lead for Ethiopia, and supported by other UKHSA colleagues. Over the three days, the workshop incorporated interactive teaching methods including group discussions, practical activities, micro-lectures and a panel discussion and explored critical elements of leadership including emotional intelligence, leading in times of change, organisational and system leadership and partnership working to achieve goals. Participatory exercises were also designed, each with a purpose linking to the workshop themes. These were particularly appreciated as innovative, fun and useful and helped build relationships both within EPHI and with IHR-SP.
Image (left): Workshop participants both conventional and fun exercises were used to illustrate and embed the key themes of the workshop
Sharing feedback to build on our support
In collecting anonymous feedback, 100% of the survey respondents either strongly agreed or agreed that the workshop was highly relevant to their roles as leaders, the facilitators demonstrated expertise in their subject areas, and the information was communicated clearly. Numerous participants expressed their gratitude to UKHSA for delivering an insightful training experience, encouraging the organisation to continue its commendable efforts. This feedback will inform future support to strengthening leadership capacity at EPHI.
Dr Melkamu Abte, Deputy Director General for Public Health Emergency Management at EPHI said: "Congratulations for the wonderful training you organized with EPHI! I am here by extending my appreciation to the team who made it happen, the trainers who travel long to support us and the leadership who communicated and facilitated this event in close discussion with EPHI leadership and Muhammed Ahmed, Director of the National Training Centre. Looking forward to further deepening our partnership."
The workshop concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, recognising the commitment and active participation of the attendees.