foreign service officer interview questions with answers Ethics & Compliance

Section 7: Ethics & Compliance (40 MCQs)

1. Gifts exceeding $50 in value must be:
A) Declared to the Ministry
B) Kept secretly
C) Auctioned
D) Returned immediately
✅ A

2. Conflict of interest arises when:
A) Relatives benefit from postings
B) Following official protocols
C) Attending UN meetings
D) Using diplomatic passports
✅ A

3. Whistleblower protection is guaranteed under:
A) Public Service Regulations
B) Host country laws
C) Social media policies
D) Not applicable
✅ A

4. Which of the following constitutes misuse of public office?
A) Promoting national interests abroad
B) Using diplomatic resources for personal business
C) Issuing legal visas
D) Coordinating diaspora forums
✅ B

5. Diplomatic staff are expected to uphold:
A) Loyalty to host government
B) National laws and diplomatic ethics
C) Religious teachings
D) Political affiliations
✅ B

6. Use of diplomatic immunity must be:
A) Exploited for personal gain
B) Transparent and legally justifiable
C) Secret
D) Unlimited
✅ B

7. Personal social media posts by FSOs must avoid:
A) Sharing general news
B) Expressing personal political opinions on government matters
C) Promoting embassy events
D) Educational quotes
✅ B

8. An FSO witnessing bribery abroad should:
A) Accept it
B) Remain silent
C) Report to superior and MFA
D) Post it online
✅ C

9. Breach of consular confidentiality can lead to:
A) Promotion
B) Administrative and legal sanctions
C) Awards
D) Bonuses
✅ B

10. An FSO investing in companies with pending embassy contracts has:
A) Complied with transparency rules
B) No conflict
C) Violated ethical and procurement laws
D) Supported economic growth
✅ C

11. Which law governs public service ethics in Tanzania?
A) Cybercrime Act
B) Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act
C) Companies Act
D) Civil Procedure Act
✅ B

12. Accepting bribes in exchange for visas is:
A) Encouraged
B) Ignored
C) Corruption and a punishable offense
D) A performance reward
✅ C

13. Posting confidential government files on WhatsApp is:
A) Permissible under emergencies
B) Ethical
C) A breach of official secrets
D) Promoted
✅ C

14. Ethics training for FSOs is:
A) Optional
B) A one-time requirement
C) Mandatory and continuous
D) Replaced by experience
✅ C

15. Abuse of power in diplomatic service refers to:
A) Asking questions
B) Using position for personal favors or gain
C) Writing policy
D) Reporting for duty
✅ B

16. Reporting unethical behavior by a colleague is:
A) Gossip
B) A duty under ethical guidelines
C) Betrayal
D) Politically motivated
✅ B

17. Insider trading by FSOs violates:
A) Marketing policies
B) Diplomatic dress code
C) Financial and public ethics laws
D) Mission culture
✅ C

18. Unauthorized engagement with foreign intelligence agencies is:
A) Negotiation diplomacy
B) Normal cultural exchange
C) Treasonous and unethical
D) Encouraged during crises
✅ C

19. Transparency and accountability are principles under:
A) Party Manifestos
B) Public Service Code of Conduct
C) Driving Manual
D) Religious Books
✅ B

20. An officer withholding diaspora funds is guilty of:
A) Miscommunication
B) Cultural insensitivity
C) Misappropriation of public funds
D) Economic nationalism
✅ C

21. Which action enhances compliance in missions?
A) Ignoring financial records
B) Clear reporting lines and internal audits
C) Relying on memory
D) Avoiding documentation
✅ B

22. Reporting lines in ethical violations start from:
A) The media
B) The host country
C) Immediate supervisor to MFA Ethics Unit
D) Foreign embassies
✅ C

23. Which behavior violates the Code of Ethics?
A) Prompt attendance
B) Harassment of junior staff
C) Timely reporting
D) Fair treatment
✅ B

24. Misuse of diplomatic vehicles includes:
A) Taking diplomats to meetings
B) Using for private errands or businesses
C) Transporting consular staff
D) Emergency consular missions
✅ B

25. Unauthorized disclosure of bilateral negotiation details is a:
A) Form of lobbying
B) Breach of state confidentiality
C) Diplomatic tactic
D) Negotiation tool
✅ B

26. Which of the following promotes ethical decision-making?
A) Personal interest
B) Peer pressure
C) Adherence to professional codes and legal frameworks
D) Public opinion
✅ C

27. Posting defamatory content about government online is:
A) Freedom of speech
B) Whistleblowing
C) Unethical and liable to disciplinary action
D) Public relations
✅ C

28. Office romance with a subordinate can be considered:
A) Ethical if secret
B) Normal behavior
C) Abuse of power and ethically problematic
D) Required for team building
✅ C

29. Falsifying academic qualifications for deployment is:
A) Smart networking
B) Harmless mistake
C) Fraudulent and a criminal offense
D) Permissible under urgency
✅ C

30. Gifts from foreign governments must be:
A) Displayed on personal social media
B) Donated to relatives
C) Reported and handled under diplomatic protocol
D) Sold at auction abroad
✅ C

31. An officer’s duty of neutrality requires:
A) Supporting ruling party abroad
B) Publicly endorsing political candidates
C) Refraining from political activities
D) Voting in host country elections
✅ C

32. FSO conflict resolution must be based on:
A) Emotions
B) Ethical mediation, confidentiality, and justice
C) Gossip
D) Personal networks
✅ B

33. Breach of procurement procedures in missions is considered:
A) Internal conflict
B) Misuse of diplomatic immunity
C) Financial misconduct and corruption
D) Consular dispute
✅ C

34. A diplomat under investigation for misconduct must:
A) Be promoted
B) Continue duties as usual
C) Be subject to administrative leave or disciplinary procedure
D) Be exiled
✅ C

35. Proper use of mission funds requires:
A) Verbal instructions
B) Written authorization and documentation
C) Common sense
D) Automatic disbursement
✅ B

36. The Leadership Code of Ethics emphasizes:
A) Wealth accumulation
B) Loyalty to private business
C) Integrity, transparency, and public service
D) Avoiding public life
✅ C

37. Filing false mission reports is:
A) A harmless error
B) Unethical and punishable misconduct
C) Encouraged for convenience
D) Permitted during crisis
✅ B

38. The best safeguard against ethical breaches is:
A) Political backing
B) Regular training and supervision
C) Ignoring complaints
D) Seniority
✅ B

39. The Public Service Ethics Secretariat in Tanzania is responsible for:
A) Passport issuance
B) Political campaigns
C) Monitoring ethics among public leaders
D) Military training
✅ C

40. FSO adherence to ethics ensures:
A) National reputation and service excellence
B) Delayed diplomacy
C) Increased embassy traffic
D) Economic collapse
✅ A