Mara Alexandra Paiva Melo

• Promoting economic relations between Portugal, Macao and Hong Kong
• Conducted market research to identify potential investment sectors and trends.
• Engaged in regular meetings to discuss market analysis and share insights with the team.
• Created detailed timelines for the execution of each event.
• Assisted in budget management for event planning and execution (C-PLPEX)
• Coordinated event logistics and schedules for various corporate functions (C-PLPEX)
• Prepared post-event reports summarizing attendee feedback and other key metrics.
• Collaborated with marketing teams to create promotional materials for events.
• Maintained relationships with existing partners while cultivating new ones.
• Updating contact lists of companies, importers and distributors in various areas to support Portuguese companies in establishing local contacts
• Meet with local companies in Macau and Hong Kong and establish contact with Portuguese companies
• Handled confidential information in a discreet manner with tact and diplomacy.

• I was responsible for the civil registry section of the consulate
• Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
• Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
• Renewal of passports and citizen cards
• Managing appointments
• Consular registrations
• Birth registrations
• Issuing of international certificates
• Marriage certificates

After completing my specialisation course in International Development Cooperation, I had the opportunity to participate in the writing of a working paper on gender equality and agriculture, two topics that are very dear to me.
The working paper is in French and Portuguese and is entitled ‘La production agricole des femmes en Guinée-Bissau comme moyen d'affirmation de son identité’ (Women's agricultural production in Guinea-Bissau as a means of affirming their identity).
The working paper is in French and Portuguese and is entitled "La production agricole des femmes en Guiné-
Bissau comme moyen d'afirmation de son identité" (Women's agricultural production in Guinea-Bissau as a means of affirming their identity).

Available here:

https://www.repository.utl.pt/bitstream/10400.5/30024/1/Working%20Paper_197-2024.pdf
and here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
378006680_Working_Paper_CEsA_CSG_1972024_LA_PRODUCTION_AGRICOLE_DES_FEMMES_EN_GUINE-
_BISSAU_COMME_MOYEN_DAFIRMATION_DE_SON_IDENTITE

I was part of the Organisational Development Unit of the Office of Planning, Policy and General Administration, which belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
My duties were:
- Assisting in the planning and execution of events for the Office of Planning, Policy and General Administration (GPP);
- Promoting and implementing the Ministry's Social Responsibility, for which purpose I was one of the focal points of the
interministerial working group called the Social Responsibility Network in Public Administration;
- Assist in the implementation of the Ministry's Gender Equality Plan;
- Make proposals for the dissemination of work-life balance/personal development measures within the scope of the
GPP/SDG Sustainability Policy.
- Schedule events and support other requested activities.

• My internship took place at the Directorate-General for Foreign Policy of the Middle East and Maghreb Services, where I had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of bilateral relations between countries in the region and Portugal, as well as their relations with the EU.
• Assisted in coordinating the Maghreb countries portfolio by analysing the political situation in the region and liaising directly with Portuguese embassies in Rabat, Algiers and Tunis
• Updating country files
• Preparing state visits (supporting documentation)
• Participating in official meetings and drafting the minutes of those meetings
• Monitoring the development of bilateral agreements between the Maghreb countries and Portugal
• Briefings
• Assisted in research on international policies and current events.
• Supported diplomatic staff in preparing meeting agendas and materials.
• Drafted memos and reports for internal communication.
• Maintained databases of contacts and resources for policy updates.
• Participated in conferences focused on improving relations between nations through dialogue and diplomacy.
• Created communications materials such as press releases, fact sheets, talking points. for use in promoting public diplomacy initiatives.
• Demonstrated strong sense of diplomacy when communicating with individuals from diverse cultures.