DUTIES OF A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER

The duties of a Foreign Service Officer include: gathering information, analyzing and
reporting political, economic, technological, cultural and other events and developments;
drafting diplomatic notes and other forms of diplomatic correspondence; preparing
briefing papers and other foreign policy papers for the Department and other offices of
government as may be required; assisting in the preparation and conduct of international
conferences; managing and supervising staff; working with other government agencies and
private groups and individual in promoting Philippine interests abroad; undertaking
negotiations; assisting Filipinos abroad and protecting their rights; promoting Philippine
culture and trade and bringing in foreign investments and tourism to the Philippines;
performing consular functions; and representing the Philippines in various international
fora.

DUTIES OF A FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER

Foreign Service Staff Officers hold the senior staff positions in the Foreign Service and
assist the Head of Post (Ambassador or Consul General) in the over-all operation of the
diplomatic or consular mission. They provide the necessary specialized skills, technical
services and expertise for the effective conduct of Philippine foreign relations. Their
functions include economic and political data gathering activities; research analysis and
reporting; protocol and conference work; consular and legal services; assistance to and
protection of the interests of Filipino nationals abroad; cultural promotion, public affairs,
including Filipino community relations work and information service; personnel
management, administrative and fiscal-related services.

FSSOs perform diplomatic and consular functions complementing the work of Foreign
Service Officers. In diplomatic posts, they are generally designated as attaches, giving them
diplomatic accreditation and status. They deal with both the government and the private
sector in the many aspects of our relations with the host country at the appropriate level.

FSO/FSSO EXAMINATIONS

Those who are vying for a Foreign Service Officer position will need to pass all three
examinations in the FSO/FSSO Examinations. These examinations are (1) the Qualifying
Test, (2) the Written Examination and (3) the Oral Examination.

Those who will obtain grades below 75% in the Written Examination shall not be allowed
to proceed to the Oral Examination. However, they may qualify for appointment to the rank
of Foreign Service Staff Officer IV, provided they meet the cutoff grade set by the BFSE for
the said rank.

I. FSO/FSSO Qualifying Test - 29 May 2005 (Subject to Future Revision)

 The Qualifying Test covers (1) English grammar and correct usage - 40%;
(2)Reading comprehension - 20%; (3) Logical reasoning - 15%; (4) Quantitative
reasoning/data interpretation -10%; and (5) Leadership/ knowledge of
management concepts - 15%.

The testing centers for the Qualifying Test are in Baguio City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu
City, Davao City, San Fernando City (La Union), Legazpi City, Quezon City, Iloilo City,
Zamboanga City. Tests are also held in Washington D.C, USA, Vienna, Austria and Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia. Only those who will pass the FSO/FSSO Qualifying Test with a rating of at
least 80% will be allowed to take the FSO/FSSO Written Examination.

II. FSO/FSSO Written Examination - 24, 25, 26 August 2005

The FSO/FSSO Written Examination covers six subjects. The weights of

eachsubject are as follows:

1. English 20%
2. Filipino 5%
Philippine Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Conditions - Philippine
history, culture, foreign policy, geography, government, development issues and
goals 30%
3. International Affairs - Theory and practice of international economics and
trade,international politics, international law and treaties 20%
4. World History 20%
5. Foreign Language - Arabic, Bahasa, Chinese, French, German, Japanese,
Russian or Spanish 5%

The testing centers for the FSO/FSSO Written Examination are in Pasay City,
Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City and Zamboanga City.
Those who will obtain a grade of at least 75% in English and a composite score
of at least 75% in the Written Examination will qualify to take the FSO Oral
Examination.
Those who will obtain grades below 75% in the Written Examination shall not
be allowed to proceed to the Oral Examination. However, they may qualify for
appointment to the rank of Foreign Service Staff Officer IV, provided they meet
the cutoff grade set by the BFSE for the said rank.
 III. FSO Oral Examination The Oral Examination will be held in Manila after the
results of the Written Examination shall have been determined. The Oral
Examination will include an assessment of the candidates oral expression skills,
logical thinking and values and attitude. Previous records and experiences will
also be considered in determining the candidate's fitness and aptitude for
foreign service work

A candidate must receive a mark not less than 80% in the oral examination in order to
be certified by the Department of Foreign Affairs as eligible for appointment as FSO IV.