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 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.

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 each
subject 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.