Do you want to be a foreign service officer?

In a statement, the DFA said the qualifying test shall be held on Jan. 28, 2018 at designated testing centers all over the country. (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs Republic of the Philippines)

MANILA — For those aspiring to be foreign service officers or ambassadors of the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) urged qualified Filipinos to take the 2018 Foreign Service Officer (FSO) Examinations.

The Board of Foreign Service Examinations on Thursday announced the holding of FSO tests.

According to the DFA, application will run from Oct. 16 until Dec. 1, 2017, where interested applicants are urged to submit in person their duly accomplished application forms and documentary requirements at any Regional Consular Office or at Philippine Embassies or Consulates abroad, not later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2017 at the Board of Foreign Service Examinations (BFSE) Secretariat, 2nd Floor, DFA Main Building, along Roxas Blvd. in Pasay City.

In a statement, the DFA said the Qualifying Test shall be held on Jan. 28, 2018 at designated testing centers all over the country.

The FSO Examinations are designed to evaluate the applicants’ knowledge of Philippine economic, political, and social conditions; facility in oral and written communications; and ability to perform the duties of a Foreign Service Officer.

The exams comprise five parts, namely the Qualifying Test, Preliminary Interview, Written Test, Psychological Test, and Oral Test.

Foreign Service Officers are in charge of promoting and protecting the interests of the Philippines and the Filipino people, at home and at 85 posts overseas.

The duties of an FSO IV include drafting reports, correspondences, position papers, talking points, legal opinions or agreements; attending local and international meetings and conferences; coordinating with government agencies and diplomatic missions on matters pertaining to the mandate of his/her Division; handling assistance-to-nationals cases; and supervision of staff at the Home Office and at Posts.