Applications from interested individuals must include:

• a letter expressing their interest in serving on the Scientific Advisory Board

• a resume including a list of publications from the past 5 years related to the agency’s activities and those of the Scientific Advisory Board

• a public declaration of interests to be completed via the agency’s application available at the following link: http://dpi.santepubliquefrance.fr

Applications must be submitted by September 15, 2016, to the following address: candidaturescs@santepubliquefrance.fr.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel convened by the agency.

Declarations of interest will be reviewed by the internal ethics committee. Members’ declarations of interest will be published on the agency’s website.

They must be updated by the declarant as soon as any change occurs regarding the declared ties or new ties are established. They are updated at least once a year.

The composition of the Scientific Council will be proposed for appointment by the Director General to the Board of Directors during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Missions of the National Public Health Agency

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

The Agency’s missions are:

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

• monitoring health risks threatening the population;

• promoting health and reducing health risks;

• developing prevention and health education;

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

• issuing health alerts.

Duties of the Scientific Advisory Board and its Activities

The Scientific Council’s missions are as ^follows:

1. Provide advice on the agency’s research, expertise, and study priorities, as well as on its scientific partnership and programming policies; 2. Assist the Agency’s management in developing procedures for calls for proposals; 3° Validate and oversee the evaluation process of the Agency’s scientific activities, and issue recommendations to management based on the results obtained; 4° Provide advice on the need to establish expert committees.

It assists the agency in its mission to contribute to the development and implementation of national and European public health policies. It may, on its own initiative, formulate observations and recommendations on any scientific or technical matter falling within the agency’s scope of competence. These are forwarded to the Director General and the Chair of the Board of Directors.

It prepares an annual report on the scientific and technical aspects of the agency’s activities. This report is submitted to the Board of Directors and the General Directorate of Health.

It may therefore be called upon to issue opinions and recommendations on the following matters (non-exhaustive list):- the objectives and performance contract and its implementation;- the annual work program and strategic directions;- the various programs implemented in the areas of health emergency alert, preparedness, and response, surveillance, prevention, and health promotion, including communication;- the Agency’s methods of interaction with research partners;- the expert review process implemented by the Agency;- lessons learned by the Agency from external evaluations and audits where scientific quality and priorities are concerned;- the Agency’s various strategies where a scientific component must be taken into account;- any subject it deems relevant, particularly regarding emerging issues (scientific, health-related, societal).

The Scientific Council may also, at the request of the Director General or the Board of Directors, conduct reviews of the Agency’s directorates or programs.

Composition of the Scientific Council¹

The Scientific Council comprises twenty-seven members, including its chair, at least four of whom are currently working or have previously worked abroad or in European or international organizations. Members are appointed upon the recommendation of the Director General for a four-year term, renewable by decision of the Chair of the Board of Directors, following the Board’s approval of the list of members. They are selected from among scientific experts competent in the Agency’s field of expertise and recruited following a call for applications, after review of their professional background and conflicts of interest, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 1451-1. The duties of a committee member are incompatible with membership in any other body of the Agency and with any contractual relationship with it.The chair of the Scientific Council is appointed from among its members by order of the Minister of Health, following the Scientific Council’s recommendation. In the event of a vacancy, for any reason whatsoever, a new member shall be appointed under the conditions set forth in the second paragraph of this article to complete the term of the member being replaced. The Council may call upon the assistance of any qualified individual.

Expected multidisciplinary skills and professional experience

Given the Agency’s missions, members are expected to have expertise or experience in the Agency’s areas of activity and a good understanding of national, regional, and even international stakeholders in its field.The disciplines of the Scientific Board members include, in particular, public health, epidemiology and biostatistics, the humanities and social sciences, educational sciences, communication sciences including social marketing, environmental sciences, public health policy, etc.

In addition to expertise or experience in the Agency’s areas of activity (alert, monitoring, surveillance, prevention, health promotion, health education) and at various levels (national, regional, and local), having experience in the fields listed below is a significant asset: - contributing to external reviews or evaluations of scientific or research activities;- contributing to evaluations of surveillance systems, interventions, and public health actions in the field;- contribution to expert activities as defined by the Charter of Expertise;- risk perception;- the fight against social and territorial health inequalities;- the production and use of public health indicators;- communication in public health and in crisis situations;- academic and professional training in intervention epidemiology and health promotion;- public health practice, particularly at the regional and local levels, especially medical practice;- activities conducted by French or international learned societies, and similar agencies abroad (public health institutes in other countries, WHO, ECDC, etc.).

Operations and workload

Operations

The Scientific Council is convened by its chair, or at the request of the Director General, or at the reasoned initiative of at least one-third of its members, or at the request of the Board of Directors. It meets at least three times a year. Agendas are prepared jointly by the chair of the Scientific Council and the Scientific Council secretariat. The minutes of the Scientific Council and the annual activity report are prepared by the Scientific Council Secretariat prior to approval by the Scientific Council. The opinions and recommendations of the Scientific Council are drafted by the Scientific Council, without the involvement of the Scientific Council Secretariat. The same applies when conducting program or strategic direction reviews.

Workload for Members

To ensure the Scientific Council functions optimally, it is scheduled to meet twice a year for one and a half days, and once a year for one day. In addition to attending meetings, members may be called upon to participate in specific activities, which may require approximately 3 days per year. The bulk of the work is done during meeting preparation and during the sessions.

Additional workload for the chair of the Scientific Council

This workload is estimated at 10 to 12 days per year. The Chair presents the annual activity report to the Board of Directors. He or she may be invited to meetings of the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee to ensure a link between these two bodies. As an ex officio member of the ANSES Scientific Council, he or she may appoint a representative to the Council.

Compensation and Expenses

In addition to coverage of expenses for attending meetings (transportation, lodging, per diem allowances), members of the Scientific Council receive a lump-sum allowance, the amount of which is determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the National Public Health Agency.

¹ Decree No. 2016-523 of April 27, 2016, on the creation of the National Public Health Agency: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/eli/decret/2016/4/27/2016-523/jo/texte