Arsenio Paulo is a Governance and PFM specialist who currently works as a Senior Advisor on our PALOP-TL Regional Economic Governance Programme (Pro PALOP-TL). 

He joined the PALOP-TL regional programme in its first phase in 2016. Since then, he has been responsible for providing advice and support to the project on components related to budget transparency, external control & oversight. This has particularly focused on initiatives involving Supreme Audit Institutions, Parliaments and/or other oversight bodies. He has also supported the CTA and the Head of Partnership with programme management, ensuring the development and implementation of work plans in PALOP-TL countries. He has also been responsible for ensuring the systematic collection and management of project indicators and the proper implementation of the project monitoring plan.

His work has contributed to the establishment of key tools for strengthening oversight functions, such as Parliamentary Budget Offices in Mozambique and Angola, and the development of knowledge products, including manuals, guidelines and academic articles. He has also supported SAIs from PALOP-TL in the implementation of innovative tools, such as the ClimateScanner assessment tool (Global Initiative), which is being implemented for the first time in PALOP-TL countries. This tool assesses government measures on climate in terms of public policy, governance, and climate finance. As a pivotal team member supporting the oversight and external control component, he has represented Pro PALOP-TL and worked closely with key strategic partners specializing in oversight and/or external control. These partners include the SAI of Brazil (the INTOSAI Chair), the OISC-CPLP, the AFROSAI-E, Agora – Parliamentary Development and the Parliament of Portugal/CPLP Parliament. This work has been carried out in the context of South-South and Triangular Cooperation. In terms of programme management, he has contributed to designing and implementation of the monitoring innovative tools.

Over the past 20 years, he has worked in the field of economic governance, public financial management and development through projects implemented by development partners, UN agencies and international organizations, involving governments, parliaments, supreme audit institutions and civil society organizations. His work has focused on strengthening economic governance and public financial management systems, with a particular emphasis on budget transparency and accountability, oversight, and/or external control.

Prior to joining the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the PALOP-TL regional programme, Arsénio Paulo worked as a consultant/advisor/consulting manager and project manager for over ten years on projects funded by development partners and supported/implemented by UN agencies, World Bank and other international development organizations. These projects aimed to strengthen the capabilities of governments, parliaments, supreme audit institutions, and civil society organizations. He has also provided advisory services and capacity development for development partners and government agencies.  

He is currently a PhD candidate in Global Studies, and holds a Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA), a Postgraduate diploma in Oil and Gas Law, and Bachelor's and Honours degrees in Political Science and Public Administration respectively.

As a result of his studies, learning and experience, his areas of expertise and interest include economic governance, public finance management, international development and project management. Arsenio Paulo also has experience in the field of education, having worked as a lecturer at the Technical University of Mozambique.