The Ministry of Agriculture is opening the position of Deputy Director General of the DGPE

The Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Sovereignty (MAASA) published a vacancy notice in the Official Journal of the French Republic No. 0204 on September 2, 2026, for the position of head of service, deputy director general at the general directorate for the economic and environmental performance of enterprises (DGPE). The position, identified by NOR AGRS2623171V, is based at 3, rue Barbet-de-Jouy, Paris (7th arrondissement).

The DGPE carries out the ministry’s duties relating to the economic development and environmental transition of the agricultural and food sectors and the forest-wood industry. It also steers European negotiations and coordinates the ministry’s international activities.

A key position for the CAP and the transition of sectors

The general directorate is composed of four services and eight sub-directorates comprising 320 staff members:

• the “Development of Sectors and Employment” service;
• the “Competitiveness and Environmental Performance” service;
• the “Governance and Management of the CAP” service;
• the “Europe and International” service;

as well as the ministerial delegation for agri-food companies.

It develops economic and sustainable development policies for agricultural and agri-food sectors, the sustainable forest management policy, and implements management instruments for climatic and economic crises. It steers the negotiation and national implementation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and is responsible for program 149 “Competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture, agri-food and forestry.”

The deputy director general assists the director general in steering all activities, acts as their interim, and represents them in general directorate-level meetings. They have authority over all services and support the director general in dialogue with decentralized services and stakeholders.

Required profile and employment conditions

A minimum of six years of diversified and qualifying professional experience is required. Candidates must demonstrate:

• proven expertise in the French agricultural, agri-food, and forestry sectors;
• solid knowledge of the functioning of European institutions and international organizations;
• in-depth knowledge of the ministerial environment and ongoing reforms;
• proficiency in written and spoken English, which is essential.

The term of appointment is three years, renewable once, with a probationary period of six months. Remuneration consists of a salary grade component and an allowance component, supplemented by an annual bonus based on performance. National defense security clearance will be required.

Application Procedure

The procedure is established by articles R. 342-2 to R. 342-17 of the General Code of the Public Service. The recruiting authority is the Secretary General of MAASA; the employing authority is the Director General of the DGPE. Applications, accompanied by a curriculum vitae, must be submitted within fifteen days of the publication of the notice, solely by email to the senior management delegation (recrutement.des.sg@agriculture.gouv.fr) and to the Director General (serge.lhermitte@agriculture.gouv.fr).

Preselected candidates will be interviewed by a committee chaired by the Secretary General of MAASA, including the Director General of the DGPE, a human resources expert, and an individual external to the administration. Access to the position is subject to the declaration of interests provided for in article L. 122-2 of the General Code of the Public Service and, for individuals coming from the private sector, a compatibility check.

This recruitment takes place while the DGPE is at the heart of the challenges of the Common Agricultural Policy and the environmental transition of the sectors. The appointment of the future Deputy Director General will determine the ministry’s ability to lead European negotiations and support the transformation of the agricultural, agri-food, and forestry sectors in the coming years.

Source: Vacancy notice for a head of service position, Deputy Director General (central administration), NOR AGRS2623171V, published in the Official Journal of the French Republic No. 0204 on September 2, 2026.