Application Guide
How to Apply for Deputy Assistant Director of Central Administration, Crisis Preparedness Unit
at France Government, General Directorate of Health
🏢 About France Government, General Directorate of Health
The Direction Générale de la Santé (DGS) is France's central public health authority, uniquely positioned at the intersection of policy-making and crisis response. Working here offers the rare opportunity to shape national health security strategies that directly impact millions of citizens, with the authority to coordinate across multiple government ministries during critical situations.
About This Role
This Deputy Assistant Director role serves as the operational linchpin for the Crisis Preparedness Unit, managing four bureau chiefs and ensuring seamless coordination across 35+ category A agents. You'll be responsible for translating high-level crisis scenarios (pandemics, climate events, industrial accidents) into actionable preparedness plans while representing DGS in interministerial forums with the Prime Minister's office and other key agencies.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your morning might involve reviewing climate risk assessments with bureau chiefs, followed by representing DGS at an interministerial committee on industrial accident preparedness. Afternoon could include refining pandemic response protocols based on latest intelligence, then briefing the sub-director on transversal coordination challenges across the unit's four bureaus before the day ends with priority-setting for upcoming crisis exercises.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who France Government, General Directorate of Health Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years managing senior civil servants (category A agents) in a French government context, with proven ability to navigate the specific hierarchies and protocols of the administration publique
- Demonstrates concrete experience in crisis preparedness planning, ideally with portfolio examples covering at least two of: pandemic response, climate adaptation planning, or industrial risk management
- Possesses established relationships or experience working with SGDSN (Secrétariat Général de la Défense et de la Sécurité Nationale) and SHFDS (Service de Haut Fonctionnaire de Défense et de Sécurité)
- Can provide specific examples of representing their service in interministerial committees, including managing competing ministerial priorities while advancing health security objectives
📝 Tips for Applying to France Government, General Directorate of Health
Quantify your team management experience specifically with 'category A agents' - French civil service terminology matters here
Reference specific French crisis frameworks you've worked with (e.g., ORSEC plans, white plans for health emergencies, national risk assessment methodologies)
Demonstrate understanding of DGS's position within the French government structure - mention how you'd navigate relationships with ARS (Regional Health Agencies) and other health entities
Include concrete examples of 'transversal steering' - how you've coordinated across different teams or bureaus with competing priorities
Use French administrative terminology correctly (e.g., 'bureau,' 'sous-directeur,' 'interministériel') to show familiarity with the system
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience managing bureau chiefs in a French government context, with examples of how you've handled hierarchical reporting structures", 'Concrete contributions to crisis preparedness planning, particularly regarding climate change health impacts or pandemic scenarios relevant to France', 'Demonstrated ability to represent an organization in high-stakes interministerial settings, with emphasis on building consensus across ministries', "Understanding of DGS's dual role in both policy development and operational crisis response, and how you'd bridge these functions"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → DGS's recent crisis responses (COVID-19, heat waves, etc.) and how the Crisis Preparedness Unit was involved
- → The specific structure and mandate of SGDSN and SHFDS, and their relationship with DGS in crisis situations
- → France's current national health security priorities as outlined in recent government documents or the Prime Minister's directives
- → The organizational chart of DGS and where the Crisis Preparedness Unit fits within the broader Direction Générale de la Santé
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic private-sector management examples without adapting them to French public administration context and constraints
- Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of French crisis management systems and terminology
- Presenting as purely operational without showing strategic thinking about how preparedness planning evolves with emerging threats
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to France Government, General Directorate of Health!