The Board of Foreign Service Examinations, pursuant to the provision of the Foreign Service Act (R.A. 7157) of 1991 and the Revised Administrative Code of 1987, announces the holding of the 2017 Foreign Service Officer (FSO) Examination to recruit candidates for appointment to the position of Foreign Service Officer, Class IV.

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

The FSO Examination is composed of five (5) parts:

1. Qualifying Test - covers verbal ability, analytical ability, numerical ability, and managerial ability. Candidates must obtain a passing grade of at least 80% in the Qualifying Test in order to qualify for the Preliminary Interview.

2. Preliminary Interview - candidates shall be interviewed by a panel of Foreign Service Officers to evaluate their overall potential for becoming FSOs and future Ambassadors. The Preliminary Interview will be held in Manila. Candidates must obtain an overall rating of "PASS" from the panel in order to qualify for the Written Test.

3. Written Test - the Written Test covers six subjects, namely: English (20%); Filipino (5%); Philippine political, economic, social and cultural conditions (30%); International affairs (30%); World history (10%); and Foreign language (5%). The testing center for the Written Test is the Department of Foreign Affairs, Pasay City. Candidates must obtain a passing grade of at least 75% in the Written Test to qualify for the Psychological Test.

4. Psychological Test - the Psychological Test shall be held in Metro Manila after the results of the Written Test have been determined. Candidates must pass the Psychological Test to qualify to take the Oral Test.

5. Oral Test - the Oral Test shall include an assessment of the candidate's oral skills, logical thinking, values and attitude. Previous records, experiences and conduct of examinees shall also be considered in determining the candidate's fitness and aptitude for foreign service work. Candidates who obtain a transmuted score of at least 80% shall be deemed to have passed the Oral Test.

Note: Applicants are required to pass the 5 sequential parts of the FSO Examination within the prescribed time frame in order to be considered eligible for appointment to the position of FSO IV.




Eligibility Requirements:

Citizenship - applicants should be Filipino citizens and concurrently permanent residents of the Philippines. Pursuant to R.A. 9225 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, those who pass the FSO Examinations with more than one citizenship, shall subscribe and swear to an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities, and renounce their oath of allegiance to any other country, prior to assumption of office.

• Education - applicants should have graduated from a four (4) year bachelor's degree course or higher on or before the prescribed due date of submission of requirements, and shall present the transcript of records, and either the diploma, certificate of graduation or its equivalent, from a college or university of recognized standing.

• Work Experience or Further Studies - applicants should have undergone at least two (2) years employment or further studies or a combination of both after graduating from college or university.

How to apply:

1. Download and accomplish the application form (to be printed in long bond paper) from the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph)
2. Download and accomplish Civil Service Form No. 100 from the CSC website (http://csc.gov.ph/2014-02-21-08-28-23/pdf-files/category/174-csform100-revised-2016.html)
3. Attach the following to the accomplished forms:
a. Photocopy of transcript of records from the college or university from which the degree was obtained. Applicants who attended post-graduate schools shall submit a copy of their transcript of records certified as true copy by said school, in addition to their college or university records. Transcript of records from a foreign school shall be certified as true copy by the foreign school with English translation, and duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy exercising jurisdiction over the country of the said school.
b. Photocopy of diploma or certificate of graduation from both undergraduate and graduate universities, if latter is applicable. Diplomas or certificate of graduation from a foreign school shall be certified as true copy by the foreign school with English translation, and duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy exercising jurisdiction over the country of the said school.
c. Proof of past and present employment/further studies
d. Photocopy of birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
e. For married applicants: a photocopy of marriage certificate from PSA. If married to a foreigner, s/he must secure from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, through the Board of Foreign Service Examinations, authority to take the FSO Examination.
f. Ten (10) pieces of photographs, 4.5cm x 3.5cm, colored, with white background, taken within three months prior to filing of application, with the applicant's full and handwritten name tag in the format: first name, middle initial, last name, and extension name (if any), and the signature over printed name.
g. Copies of two (2) valid identification cards, with the originals to be presented upon submission.
4. Submit in person the duly accomplished forms and other requirements from 16 October until 01 December 2017 at the Philippine Embassy or not later than 08 December 2017 until 5:00 PM at the Board of Foreign Service Examinations Secretariat of the DFA. Applications shall no longer be accepted beyond the set deadlines.

To read the complete announcement, please refer to https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/posts/1129693733829060

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