Moura attended the University of Porto, where he took courses in mechanical engineering.

He was a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Moura joined the Portuguese Communist Party in 1972, and joined the Opposition Congress the following year, as part of the Portuguese Democratic Movement against the Estado Novo regime.

He was appointed Deputy Secretary of State to Prime Minister António Guterres that same year.

Joaquim Pina Moura died on 20 February 2020 at the age of 67.