REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
BOARD OF FOREIGN SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

  A N N O U N C E M E N T

The Board of Foreign Service Examinations, pursuant to provisions of the Foreign Service Act (R.A. 7157) of 1991 and the Revised Administrative Code of 1987, announces the holding of the FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER (FSO) EXAMINATIONS to recruit candidates for appointment to the position of Foreign Service Officer, Class IV.  

REMINDER  

Applicants for the examination must be knowledgeable in the economic, political and social conditions of the Philippines , and must possess not only facility in oral communication but also the personality traits essential to the performance of the duties of Foreign Service Officers.  They must also be willing and able to accept assignments to any post where their services may be required.  

Applicants are advised to check carefully as to whether or not they meet the admission requirements.  Applicants found ineligible or with incomplete application materials shall be disapproved, and the admission fee that they have paid shall be forfeited.  

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; disseminating information; working with other government agencies and private groups and individuals 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.  

FSO EXAMINATIONS

The FSO Examinations is composed of 3 parts, namely (1) The Qualifying Test, (2) the Written Examination and (3) the Oral Examination.  

I.     The Qualifying Test – 6 May 2007  

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 Dubai , United Arab Emirates .  

Only those who will pass the FSO qualifying test with a rating of at least 80% will be allowed to take the FSO Written Examination.  

II.   FSO Written Examination -   19, 20, 21 December 2007 

The FSO Written Examination covers six subjects with the corresponding weights:  

The testing centers for the FSO Written Examination are in Pasay City, Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City and Zamboanga City .  

Candidates must obtain a passing grade of at least 75% in English and a composite score of       at least 75% in the FSO Written Examination to qualify to take the Oral Examination.  

III.    FSO Oral Examination – December 2007/January 2008  

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 candidate’s 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.  

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1.      Age Limit - Applicants must be less than thirty-six (36) years of age on 31 December 2007.  The maximum age limit, however, does not apply to those who have been employed in the Department of Foreign Affairs for at least two years prior to the date of the FSO Written Examination and who meet the other qualifications required of candidates for the examination.

2.      Education - Applicants must present evidence (transcript of records and diploma; certificate of graduation) of having graduated from a four (4) year bachelor's degree course or its equivalent in a college or university of recognized standing.

3.      Citizenship - Applicants must be Filipino citizens.  Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9225 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, passers of the FSO Examinations with more than one citizenship must subscribe and swear an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities and renounce their oath of allegiance to the country/ies where they took their oath, prior to assumption of office. For more information on the rules governing citizenship under R.A. 9225, please visit http://www.gov.ph/faqs/dualcitizenship_irr.asp  

MONETARY COMPENSATION  

The starting salary of an FSO IV – the entry level – is P19,251.00 per month.  If unmarried and assigned abroad with the same rank, said officer receives an overseas allowance of US$1,316.43 per month and a living quarters allowance of US$693.18 per month, in addition to the US dollar equivalent (at the current exchange rate) of P19,251.00 monthly salary.  These are the figures for low-indexed posts.  Married officers receive higher overseas and quarters allowances.  The lowest post index is computed at 67% for Overseas Allowance and 60% for Living Quarters Allowance.  The highest post index is computed at 142% for Overseas Allowance and 120% for Living Quarters Allowance.  There are gradations between the lowest and highest post indices.  

HOW TO APPLY  

1.      Application forms may be obtained three ways:

• The form may be downloaded from the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph) 

• The form may be obtained personally from the main office of the DFA, its Regional Consular Offices (RCO), or from Civil Service Commission Offices. (Please see page 3 for the addresses of the DFA Offices and the CSC Ros).

• The form may be obtained through postal service from main office of the DFA or its RCOs.

2.     Application forms must be duly completed by the applicants themselves and returned either by mail or in person not later than 20 April 2007 to any Regional Consular Office, or Foreign Service Post or not later than 25 April 2007 to the DFA Main Office.

3.      The following should be attached to the completed application forms:

1. Transcript of college or university record and diploma.
   

2. Birth certificate - In case a birth certificate cannot be presented, the applicant must submit other evidence of birth, such as baptismal certificate, birth affidavit, passport and naturalization papers (as appropriate).
   

3. One (1) copy of 2” x 2” photograph, four (4) copies of 1" x 1" I.D. photographs taken not more than six (6) months before the date of the examination, showing the full frontal view of the face of the applicant.
   

4. Two (2) copies of 1-1/2” x 2” photographs, taken not more than six (6) months before the date of the examination, showing the full frontal view of the face of the applicant with name tag.
   

5. Two (2) self-addressed envelopes marked as priority mail.  

An admission fee of two hundred pesos (P200.00) will be collected from those who will qualify to take the FSO Written Examination. 

LIST OF DFA OFFICES:

                                            
LIST OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION OFFICES: