Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist – A Comprehensive Job Overview

March 7, 2025

11 minutes read

This job, Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist at UNDP, is a senior-level position (P4 grade) that focuses on improving public finance management (PFM) and domestic resource mobilization (DRM) in six Portuguese-speaking countries: Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste (PALOP-TL).

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the role, responsibilities, and qualifications:

1. What is the Purpose of the Role?

The specialist will work to enhance budget transparency and tax policies in these countries. This means helping governments improve their financial reporting, tax collection, and spending efficiency. The goal is to ensure that public finances are managed transparently and that governments generate enough revenue for development projects.http://Go to the UNDP Jobs page.

They will also support legal and institutional reforms, help digitize financial management systems, and organize training programs to improve governance in finance ministries and tax authorities.

2. Who Will You Work With?

The specialist will collaborate with:

Ministries of Finance and Tax Authorities in PALOP-TL countries
Parliaments and Supreme Audit Institutions (which oversee government finances)
Civil society organizations (to ensure public participation in budget decisions)
International partners, such as the EU, UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub, and Tax for SDGs Initiative

They will also help establish peer-to-peer learning and south-south cooperation, meaning PALOP-TL countries will learn from each other’s best practices.

3. Key Responsibilities

Here are the main tasks of the role:

A. Capacity Building for Ministries of Finance and Tax Authorities

Train finance ministries and tax authorities on budget transparency, taxation policies, and financial accountability.
Help countries adopt international public finance standards, such as IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards).
Organize workshops, online courses, and advanced study programs for government officials.
Build communities of practice where tax and finance officials can exchange ideas.

B. Advocacy and Public Awareness

Develop communication campaigns to educate the public about tax efficiency and budget transparency.
Engage with private sector leaders and civil society to promote accountability.
Contribute to media platforms (podcasts, reports, and newsletters) to share key insights.

C. Legal and Institutional Reforms

Provide expert advice to draft new laws and regulations that improve financial transparency.
Recommend policy changes to strengthen tax collection, reduce tax evasion, and enhance public expenditure efficiency.
Support digital governance initiatives that modernize tax administration systems.

D. Digital Transformation in Public Finance

Help governments adopt digital financial management systems to improve efficiency.
Map out best practices from other countries that have successfully digitized their financial transparency.

E. Research & Publications

Write policy briefs, reports, and case studies on public finance and taxation.
Monitor global tax policy trends and assess their impact on PALOP-TL countries.
Contribute to UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub and Tax for SDGs initiatives.

4. What are the Qualifications?

Education:

Master’s degree (preferred) in Economics, Public Finance, Law, Public Policy, or Taxation with 7 years of experience, OR
Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with 9 years of experience.

Experience:

7-9 years of experience in finance ministries, tax authorities, or international organizations.
At least 3-5 years in taxation, financial transparency, and international accountability.
Experience in developing countries (especially PALOP-TL) is highly desirable.
Familiarity with UNDP or other UN agencies is an advantage.

Languages:@vacancyspaces.com

Fluency in English is required.
Portuguese fluency is a strong asset (since PALOP-TL countries are Portuguese-speaking).
Knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, etc.) is a plus.

5. Work Location and Travel

The job is based in São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe, but the specialist will travel to other PALOP-TL countries for project implementation.

6. Why is This Job Important?

This role is crucial for ensuring that government budgets are transparent, tax systems are fair, and public resources are managed efficiently. By improving financial governance, the specialist will help these countries become more economically sustainable and better able to fund development projects.

7. Who Should Apply?

This job is ideal for senior professionals with experience in:
✅ Public finance management (budget planning, government spending, fiscal policies)
✅ Tax policy & administration (revenue collection, tax compliance, anti-tax evasion)
✅ Legal and institutional reforms (policy drafting, regulatory frameworks)
✅ Governance and anti-corruption (financial transparency, accountability measures)
✅ Digital transformation in finance (e-governance, financial management systems)

If you have experience working in developing countries, particularly in PALOP-TL, and are fluent in English and Portuguese, this job could be a great fit for you.

8. How to Apply?

The deadline for application is March 8, 2025. You can apply through the UNDP recruitment portal (link in the job post).

Would you like help with your application, such as drafting a cover letter or tailoring your resume for this role? Let me know how I can assist! 😊

Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist – UNDP

Location: São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe

Job Level: P4 (Senior Level)

Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Application Deadline: March 8, 2025

Languages Required: English (mandatory), Portuguese (preferred)

1. Introduction to the Role

The Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist plays a crucial role in strengthening Public Finance Management (PFM) and Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) in six Portuguese-speaking countries:

Angola
Cabo Verde
Guinea-Bissau
Mozambique
São Tomé and Príncipe
Timor-Leste

These countries form part of the PALOP-TL (Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa and Timor-Leste) initiative, a collaboration supported by the European Union (EU) and UNDP to enhance governance, fiscal responsibility, and development effectiveness.

The specialist will focus on budget transparency, fiscal reforms, and digital transformation of financial systems to ensure that government revenues are effectively collected, reported, and allocated for public services.

2. Background and Context

A. What is Public Finance Management (PFM)?

Public Finance Management (PFM) refers to how governments raise, allocate, and spend financial resources. Effective PFM ensures that public funds are used efficiently, transparently, and accountably to achieve national development goals.

In PALOP-TL countries, there are challenges such as:

Low revenue collection due to tax evasion and inefficiencies
Lack of financial transparency leading to corruption risks
Weak digital infrastructure in financial institutions
Limited capacity in ministries of finance and tax authorities

B. What is Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM)?

Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) refers to a government’s ability to raise revenue through taxes, fees, and other sources to fund public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Many developing countries struggle with DRM because of:

Weak tax systems that allow evasion and avoidance
Lack of public trust in tax authorities
Dependence on foreign aid instead of internal revenues
Gaps in tax policy frameworks

C. Role of UNDP and the European Union (EU)

UNDP and the EU support PALOP-TL countries through capacity-building initiatives, digital reforms, and policy advisory services to strengthen public financial governance.

The Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist will work on these areas by:

Improving government revenue collection strategies
Enhancing fiscal transparency and accountability
Strengthening digital transformation in tax and finance institutions

3. Key Responsibilities of the Specialist

The specialist will be responsible for implementing reforms, training programs, and digital financial solutions in PALOP-TL countries. Here are the key areas of responsibility:

A. Enhancing Budget Transparency and Fiscal Accountability

Provide technical support to finance ministries to improve budget transparency and accountability.
Help governments comply with international standards such as International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the Open Budget Index (OBI).
Develop tools for public budget tracking to increase citizen engagement and oversight in public spending.
Assist in improving financial reporting mechanisms to reduce corruption risks.

B. Strengthening Tax Policy and Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM)

Conduct assessments on tax collection efficiency and gaps in tax policy frameworks in PALOP-TL countries.
Provide policy advice on tax reforms to increase government revenue while ensuring fair taxation policies.
Strengthen the capacity of tax authorities to tackle tax evasion, illicit financial flows, and corruption.
Develop training modules and knowledge-sharing platforms for government officials on modern tax administration practices.

C. Digital Transformation of Public Financial Management (PFM) Systems

Support the adoption of digital financial management systems to improve efficiency and reduce manual errors.
Introduce electronic tax payment systems to increase compliance and make tax collection easier.
Facilitate knowledge exchange between PALOP-TL countries on best practices for digital financial governance.
Recommend e-government solutions to modernize budgeting, revenue collection, and expenditure tracking.

D. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

Organize training workshops, webinars, and study tours for finance ministry staff, tax officials, and parliament members.
Support parliamentary committees in their role of overseeing national budgets and ensuring transparent public spending.
Strengthen the role of supreme audit institutions (SAIs) in financial oversight.
Facilitate peer-to-peer learning opportunities among PALOP-TL countries.

E. Advocacy and Public Awareness

Develop public information campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of paying taxes and financial transparency.
Engage with civil society organizations (CSOs) to promote transparency in government spending.
Develop policy briefs, reports, and articles on public financial governance for wider dissemination.

F. Legal and Institutional Reforms in Financial Governance

Work with governments to draft new financial laws and regulations that promote transparency.
Recommend institutional reforms to strengthen budget oversight and revenue collection.
Assist in aligning national laws with international financial governance frameworks.

4. Required Qualifications

A. Education Requirements

Master’s degree (preferred) in Economics, Public Finance, Taxation, Public Policy, Law, or a related field.
A Bachelor’s degree with additional experience may be considered.

B. Work Experience Requirements

7+ years of experience in public financial management, tax policy, or governance.
At least 3-5 years of experience in financial transparency, tax reforms, or anti-corruption initiatives.
Previous experience in developing countries (especially PALOP-TL nations) is an advantage.
Experience working with UNDP, EU, or other international organizations is highly desirable.

C. Language Proficiency

Fluency in English is required.
Portuguese proficiency is a strong asset (since PALOP-TL countries are Portuguese-speaking).
Knowledge of another UN language (French, Spanish, etc.) is beneficial.

5. Work Location and Travel Requirements

The position is based in São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe.
Frequent travel to PALOP-TL countries is expected for project implementation.

6. Why is This Job Important?

The Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist plays a crucial role in improving financial governance, public transparency, and domestic revenue generation in PALOP-TL countries. By strengthening tax policies, budgeting processes, and digital governance systems, the specialist will:

Increase government revenues for sustainable development.
Enhance public trust in financial institutions.
Reduce corruption and financial mismanagement.
Modernize public financial systems through digital transformation.

Ultimately, this role will contribute to stronger governance, economic stability, and sustainable development in these countries.

7. Who Should Apply?

This job is ideal for senior professionals with expertise in:
✅ Public finance management (budget planning, government spending, fiscal policies)
✅ Tax policy & administration (revenue collection, tax compliance, anti-tax evasion)
✅ Legal and institutional reforms (policy drafting, regulatory frameworks)
✅ Governance and anti-corruption (financial transparency, accountability measures)
✅ Digital transformation in finance (e-governance, financial management systems)

If you have experience working in developing countries (especially PALOP-TL) and are fluent in English and Portuguese, this role could be a perfect fit.

8. How to Apply?

Applications must be submitted through the UNDP recruitment portal by March 8, 2025.
Candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and relevant supporting documents.

Would you like assistance in tailoring your resume or writing a cover letter for this role?

The Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist position is part of the UNDP’s Pro PALOP-TL SAI (Phase III) programme, focused on enhancing public finance management (PFM) and domestic resource mobilization (DRM) in six Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP-TL: Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé e Príncipe, and Timor-Leste).

The role involves providing expert technical support to Ministries of Finance, Tax Authorities, and other relevant institutions to improve budget transparency, fiscal accountability, and tax efficiency. The specialist will assist in capacity building, advocating for inclusive economic growth, supporting legal and institutional reforms, and promoting digital solutions for public finance. This position requires working closely with local and international stakeholders to advance reforms and ensure effective tax and budget systems that align with global standards.

This full-time role will be based in São Tomé e Príncipe but will require travel to the other countries in the programme.

The Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist position is a key role within the UNDP’s Pro PALOP-TL SAI (Phase III) programme, which focuses on enhancing public finance management (PFM) and domestic resource mobilization (DRM) in the six Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP-TL: Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé e Príncipe, and Timor-Leste). This programme aims to foster economic growth, improve public finance systems, and promote accountability, transparency, and sustainability in government budgets and tax policies across the region.

As a Budget and DRM Transparency Specialist, you will be responsible for offering expert advice and technical support to the Ministries of Finance, Tax Authorities, and other public financial management (PFM) institutions such as Parliaments, Supreme Audit Institutions, and civil society organizations (CSOs). Your role will be crucial in strengthening the transparency and efficiency of national budgets, facilitating public sector reforms, and advancing the domestic resource mobilization agenda in these countries.

Your core responsibilities will involve capacity building for government institutions in the areas of budget transparency, results-based budgeting, tax policy, and fiscal transparency. You will assist the Ministries of Finance and Tax Authorities in aligning their processes with international standards such as the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). One of your key tasks will be to develop and conduct training programs, workshops, and advocacy campaigns to improve understanding and implementation of open government principles and gender-responsive budgeting.

Additionally, you will work on promoting initiatives related to digitalization and the use of e-governance systems to modernize Public Finance Management Systems (PFMS). This includes improving tax collection systems, automatic exchange of information, and tax reporting practices to combat tax evasion and tax avoidance, thereby increasing the effectiveness of Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM).

Another important aspect of this role is facilitating South-South cooperation, where you will help establish partnerships between these countries and others with similar challenges and successes in public finance reforms. You will also engage in advocacy and sensitization campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of tax efficiency for sustainable, inclusive economic growth and the need for open budgets and effective tax systems.

As part of your responsibilities, you will also collaborate closely with UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub and the Tax for SDGs initiatives. These platforms provide the opportunity to leverage global knowledge and best practices in the realm of public finance and sustainable development.

The position is based in São Tomé, São Tomé e Príncipe, but the incumbent will be required to travel to all six countries within the programme. You will work in a highly collaborative environment, engaging with various stakeholders, including government officials, international organizations, and private sector actors, to promote effective and inclusive taxation systems and budgeting practices.

To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate should have extensive experience working in public finance management, domestic resource mobilization, and tax policy with a deep understanding of fiscal transparency and international tax standards. Additionally, the candidate should have strong communication and training skills to effectively engage with various stakeholders, including government officials and civil society. Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in Portuguese is highly desirable.