The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) conducted the Basic Records and Communication Officers’ Course from 24 May to 03 June 2019 for personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assigned and/or projected to assume Records and Communication Officer duties and responsibilities in the Home Office and at Foreign Service Posts (FSPs).

Thirty-one (31) personnel participated in the program: three (3) from Consular Offices and 28 from the Home Office.

The course aimed to instill the roles and responsibilities of Records and Communication Officers in the Home Office and Foreign Service Posts among the participants, and to enhance their knowledge and skills on the Department’s records management and communication systems, such as the Internal Records Management System (IRMS) and the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).

The participants were also taught VOIP Phone assembly, GSuite utilization, basic computer maintenance and troubleshooting, networking and cybersecurity, and website content management.

An English review session was also included, with the aim of enhancing their written communication skills.

The roles undertaken by Records and Communication Officers in the Home Office and at FSPs are indispensable to the effective administration of foreign affairs.

The records and communication systems serve as the Department’s nerve centers, and connect its personnel and offices/posts across the globe.

This course helps support the Department’s work of managing its internal and external communications, records, and institutional memory by training and enhancing the competencies of the personnel handling these functions.