In fact, as part of their preparations for an influenza pandemic, French health authorities have decided to build up stockpiles of medical countermeasures, specifically physical stockpiles of barrier measures and antiviral drugs, as well as vaccine production capacity, in order to be able to protect and/or treat the target population quickly. The physical stockpiles managed by Santé publique France, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Health, thus enable the government to have countermeasures immediately available to ensure the protection of the population.

As these stocks regularly reach their expiration dates, the agency must propose to public authorities a plan for purchasing and maintaining these stocks that guarantees adaptable and effective response capabilities, sustainable financial commitments from year to year, and the optimization of its ability to adjust stock levels to prevailing circumstances and the epidemiological situation.

The Missions of Santé publique France – The National Public Health Agency

The National Public Health Agency, created by Order No. 2016-462 of April 14, 2016, is a public administrative institution of the State, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Its missions are:

• epidemiological observation and monitoring of the health status of the population;

• monitoring health risks threatening the population;

• health promotion and the reduction of health risks;

• developing prevention and health education;

• preparing for and responding to health threats, alerts, and crises;

• issuing public health alerts.

Within its scope of competence and to carry out its missions, the agency applies expertise consistent with the principles set forth in Article L. 1452-1. Its opinions and recommendations are issued in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 1452-2. Subject to respect for privacy and secrets protected by law, in particular the rules relating to the protection of national defense secrets, its opinions and recommendations are made public.

The procurement and management of medical countermeasures are handled by a pharmaceutical facility established by Santé publique France in accordance with Article L. 1413-4.

Sponsor of the Expert Group

This expert group has been established to formulate recommendations for public authorities regarding both the composition and the size of stockpiles of medical countermeasures. These recommendations will be based on the best available knowledge, various realistic scenarios for utilization strategies, and, where applicable, the replenishment of national stockpiles.

The scope of the expert group therefore covers the various medical countermeasures necessary in the event of an influenza pandemic:

• antiviral drugs;

• protective masks;

• pandemic vaccines.

The expert group’s primary objective, following a request from the Ministry of Health, will be to develop an opinion regarding the strategy for the use of antivirals to address a pandemic and the sizing of national strategic antiviral stockpiles.

For this initial opinion, the following factors, in particular, will be taken into account:

• the epidemiology of the disease and the assessment of the level of pandemic risk within the country;

• models and scenarios of population exposure in the event of an influenza pandemic;

• the level of effectiveness of countermeasures and, where applicable, the consideration of resistance phenomena;

• the feasibility and acceptability of implementation;

• the health economic analysis of options for stock management.

Composition of the expert group

The group will consist of approximately ten members appointed by the Director General of Santé publique France.

Committee members serve in their personal capacity and therefore cannot be replaced. This is an expert role based on personal expertise rather than institutional representation.

The group may include experts from within Santé publique France.

Workload of the working group

The group is expected to meet at least once every two months and, as needed, to meet the deadline for issuing the opinion on the sizing of antiviral stockpiles (June 2017).

The committee may be called upon to address urgent matters in accordance with the procedures set forth in the rules of procedure.

Required Qualifications

General skills

• demonstrated interest in population-based public health initiatives, including the evaluation component;

• Ability to work collaboratively and in a multidisciplinary manner, including under pressure (tight deadlines, significant uncertainties);

• Experience participating in expert groups;

• Very good knowledge of preparedness and response systems, particularly regarding the organization and resources required to address an influenza pandemic;

• knowledge of generic planning documents (Influenza Pandemic Plan);

• experience in formulating recommendations for public authorities.

Specific Skills

• medical specialties directly involved in patient care: infectious diseases, internal medicine, pulmonology, anesthesiology and critical care, geriatrics, etc.;

• disciplines particularly concerned: virology, hospital hygiene, vaccination specialists, pharmacy, etc.;

• public health and epidemiology;

• health evaluation;

• modeling the spread of communicable diseases, health economics, pharmacoepidemiology…;

• social sciences: perception, behavior, communication, etc.;

• knowledge of strategies/recommendations from other countries, particularly European ones.

Functioning of the expert group

The expert group operates in accordance with the guidelines of the Expertise Charter.

Committee members are appointed for a term of 18 months.

The chair of this committee is appointed from among its members by the Director General of Santé publique France.

Members sign a "Confidentiality and Commitment Agreement" to participate regularly in meetings.

The Director General of Santé publique France provides the necessary resources for its operation.

The secretariat of this Expert Committee is provided by the Alert and Crisis Directorate (DAC) of Santé publique France.

Compensation and Travel Expenses

Travel and accommodation expenses are reimbursed under the conditions applicable to civilian government employees.

Compensation for loss of income in the case of private practice and compensation for time spent participating in meetings and for work performed will be based on the scale established by the Board of Directors of Santé publique France.

Application Procedures

The deadline, originally set for January 31, has been extended to February 21, 2017.

The application must be sent to the following address: "candidatures_moyenspandemiegrippale@santepubliquefrance.fr".

The application package must include:

• a cover letter stating your professional and/or personal contact information

• a resume

• a public declaration of interest to be completed via the application available at http://dpi.santepubliquefrance.fr

Selection Process

Only complete applications will be considered.

The selection of candidates for the ad hoc expert group, tasked with recommending a strategy for establishing a stockpile of medical countermeasures against an influenza pandemic, will be conducted by a selection committee based on the information provided in the cover letter, the candidates’ alignment with the required competencies, an analysis of conflicts of interest, and the necessary multidisciplinary and diverse composition of the group. Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the review of their application via email from the committee secretariat.

Committee members will be appointed by decision of the Director General of Santé publique France; the committee’s composition will be published on the agency’s website.

Members of the Scientific Council, the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee, and the Steering and Dialogue Committee of Santé publique France are not eligible to apply.