Application Guide
How to Apply for Remote, unpaid Internship (Capacity Development Intern), Start in November 2026 or beyond
at TRUST Consultancy & Development
🏢 About TRUST Consultancy & Development
Trust Consultancy & Development is a research and third-party M&E firm headquartered in Gaziantep, Turkey, with sister companies in Pakistan and Iraq, serving major donors like UNICEF, USAID/BHA, and ECHO across the MENA region and beyond. What sets them apart is their deep local network in conflict-affected areas such as Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan, allowing them to deliver real-time, ground-level insights that most international firms cannot. Working here means contributing directly to humanitarian and development projects that shape policy and improve lives in some of the world's most challenging contexts.
About This Role
As a Capacity Development Intern, you will be at the heart of Trust's training and capacity-building initiatives, helping to draft proposals for training tenders, coordinate with stakeholders, and support the design and delivery of learning programs for NGO partners. This role is impactful because it directly strengthens the skills of local organizations and responders, enabling them to better serve their communities. You'll gain hands-on experience in the full cycle of capacity development—from identifying needs to evaluating outcomes—while working remotely with a diverse, multicultural team.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve researching potential training tenders, drafting sections of a proposal, and coordinating with team members in Gaziantep and Islamabad via email or video calls. You could also be reviewing training materials, updating stakeholder contact lists, or preparing briefs for upcoming capacity-building workshops. The work is varied and collaborative, with a focus on supporting the team to deliver high-quality training programs for NGO partners.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who TRUST Consultancy & Development Is Looking For
- Background in international development, humanitarian studies, education, or a related field, with a strong interest in capacity building and training.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Arabic, Turkish, or another regional language is a plus.
- Demonstrated experience in research, proposal writing, or coordination, whether through coursework, volunteering, or previous internships.
- Ability to work independently in a remote setting, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to TRUST Consultancy & Development
Highlight any experience you have with training material development, workshop facilitation, or proposal writing—even if it's from academic projects or volunteer work.
Show that you understand Trust's client base and geographic focus; mention specific donors or countries in your cover letter to demonstrate genuine interest.
Emphasize your ability to work remotely and across time zones, as the team is spread across Turkey, Pakistan, and Iraq.
If you have language skills relevant to the MENA region (Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish, etc.), make sure to feature them prominently.
Tailor your CV to emphasize capacity development, M&E, or research experience, using keywords from the job description like 'training tenders,' 'stakeholder coordination,' and 'proposal drafting.'
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific interest in capacity development and how it fits into Trust's broader M&E and research work.", 'Any direct experience you have in drafting proposals, coordinating with stakeholders, or supporting training initiatives.', 'Your ability to work effectively in a remote, multicultural team and your familiarity with the MENA region or similar contexts.', "How your academic or professional background aligns with Trust's mission and the skills required for this internship."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Visit Trust's website and LinkedIn page to understand their core services, recent projects, and client list.
- → Read about the humanitarian and development context in their focus countries (Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan) to speak knowledgeably about the challenges.
- → Research common capacity-building frameworks and training methodologies used in the sector, such as adult learning principles or training-of-trainers models.
- → Look up recent training tenders or calls for proposals from donors like UNICEF or ECHO to understand what Trust might be bidding on.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention capacity development or Trust's specific work—this shows a lack of genuine interest.
- Failing to demonstrate any prior experience or coursework related to training, proposal writing, or M&E, which are core to this role.
- Ignoring the remote and multicultural aspect of the role; not addressing how you'll handle communication across different time zones and cultures.
📅 Application Timeline
⏰ Deadline: October 19, 2026
We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to TRUST Consultancy & Development!