Application Guide

How to Apply for Junior Officer (Intern) Proposal Writing OR Third-Party Monitoring & Evaluation

at TRUST Consultancy & Development

🏢 About TRUST Consultancy & Development

TRUST Consultancy & Development is a specialized research and third-party M&E firm operating in the MENA region, offering hands-on experience in high-stakes humanitarian and development projects. Unlike large consultancies, TRUST provides direct exposure to proposal writing and monitoring & evaluation for NGOs and donors, making it ideal for those seeking practical, impactful work in fragile contexts.

About This Role

As a Junior Officer Intern, you will either craft technical proposals by analyzing tenders and Terms of Reference, or support third-party M&E through desk reviews, tool design, and data analysis. This role is impactful because your work directly enables evidence-based decision-making for humanitarian programs, bridging the gap between field realities and donor requirements.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with reviewing a new tender or ToR, breaking down requirements, and drafting a proposal outline or data-collection plan. Midday, you could coordinate with a consultant via Zoom to align on methodology, then spend the afternoon analyzing qualitative data in Excel or writing a report section. The role offers variety, with tasks shifting between research, writing, and coordination.

🎯 Who TRUST Consultancy & Development Is Looking For

  • A recent graduate or early-career professional with a Master’s degree in Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, or a related field, and at least one year of experience in humanitarian/development research.
  • A native English speaker with exceptional writing and editing skills, capable of producing clear, persuasive, and technically sound proposals or M&E reports.
  • Analytically strong, proficient in Excel, and comfortable with both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including designing data-collection tools.
  • Self-motivated and organized, able to work remotely with minimal supervision while coordinating with external partners and consultants across time zones.

📝 Tips for Applying to TRUST Consultancy & Development

1

Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight specific experience in proposal writing OR M&E, not both—choose one track and demonstrate depth.

2

Include at least one concrete example of a successful proposal you contributed to or an M&E project where you designed tools or analyzed data.

3

Showcase your English writing skills by submitting a clean, error-free application; consider including a writing sample (e.g., a proposal excerpt or M&E report section).

4

Emphasize familiarity with the MENA region humanitarian context—mention specific countries, crises, or donors (e.g., ECHO, USAID, UN) you have worked with.

5

Prove your Excel proficiency by mentioning specific functions (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP) or data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) you have used in past research.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your understanding of the humanitarian/development landscape in the MENA region and your motivation to contribute to evidence-based programming.', 'Specific experience with proposal writing (e.g., logframes, budgets, narrative) or M&E (e.g., indicator tracking, KIIs, surveys) that aligns with TRUST’s work.', 'Your ability to work independently in a remote setting, with examples of self-managed projects or cross-cultural collaboration.', 'Your strong analytical and writing skills, with a mention of any relevant tools (e.g., NVivo, SPSS, KoBoToolbox) you are proficient in.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review TRUST’s website and recent projects to understand their thematic areas (e.g., health, protection, livelihoods) and client base (e.g., UN agencies, INGOs).
  • Look up their published reports or case studies to see the style and depth of M&E work they deliver.
  • Familiarize yourself with the specific donors they work with (e.g., ECHO, BHA, Sida) and their proposal requirements.
  • Check their team’s LinkedIn profiles to understand the backgrounds of current staff and the company culture.
Visit TRUST Consultancy & Development's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through a proposal or M&E project you worked on—what was your role, and what challenges did you face?
2 How do you approach analyzing a Terms of Reference to identify key requirements and evaluation criteria?
3 Describe your experience with data collection tools—what methods have you used in humanitarian contexts?
4 How do you ensure quality and accuracy in your writing when under tight deadlines?
5 What do you know about third-party monitoring, and why is it important in humanitarian aid?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that does not specify whether you are applying for Proposal Writing or M&E—choose one and tailor accordingly.
  • Overlooking the remote work requirement—failing to demonstrate self-discipline, time management, or experience working across time zones.
  • Ignoring the need for native-level English—applications with grammatical errors or unclear writing will be immediately rejected.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: July 20, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to TRUST Consultancy & Development!