In person unpaid internship Grants & Proposal Writing (Aleppo or Damascus/ Syria)

Trust Consultancy and Development, an independent research and third-party monitoring and evaluation firm based in Gaziantep, Turkey, with sister companies in Palestine, Pakistan, and Iraq, is offering an intensive six-month in-person internship in Grants and Proposal Writing, based in Damascus or Aleppo, Syria.

We provide high-quality research, data collection, and analysis for NGOs and donors across the MENA region and beyond. Our clients include UNICEF, GOAL, HelpAge International, Save the Children, NRC, World Vision, USAID/BHA, ECHO, and others. Active in Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, we bring a unique perspective through our extensive field networks.

This internship is designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals interested in humanitarian programming, donor relations, business development, and proposal writing. Unlike traditional internships that focus mainly on administrative support, this programme provides hands-on exposure to every stage of the humanitarian proposal development cycle.

Fellows will work alongside experienced Grants Managers, Programme Managers, Technical Advisors, and MEAL specialists while contributing to live funding opportunities submitted to institutional donors. The programme combines practical assignments, coaching, mentoring, peer learning, and structured professional development.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the fellowship, participants should be able to understand the humanitarian funding landscape, identify suitable funding opportunities, analyse donor guidelines and calls for proposals, draft concept notes, prepare sections of technical proposals, conduct stakeholder mapping, and review proposals for quality and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Grants Manager, the Fellow will support the Resource Mobilization Unit in opportunity identification, including monitoring donor websites and funding portals, tracking calls for proposals, preparing opportunity summaries, maintaining donor calendars, and drafting proposal sections.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should possess a Bachelor's degree in International Development, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Public Health, Social Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, Business Administration, English, or another relevant discipline. A Master's degree is preferred. Excellent written English is required.

Skills

Excellent Microsoft Office skills, strong research skills, excellent organizational skills, strong communication skills, high attention to detail, and a strong willingness to learn are essential.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who have previous NGO experience, experience in humanitarian programming, proposal writing, or grants management, familiarity with institutional donors such as ECHO, BHA, UN agencies, GIZ, FCDO, SDC, KfW, and the European Union, a good understanding of the Syrian humanitarian context, experience with monitoring and evaluation, Arabic and English language proficiency, and experience using AI tools to support professional writing.

Competencies

Successful candidates should demonstrate integrity and professionalism, strong analytical thinking, excellent writing ability, attention to detail, teamwork, time management, adaptability, confidentiality, and problem-solving.

What You Will Gain

By joining this internship, participants will receive structured mentoring from experienced Grants and Programme Managers, practical experience on real humanitarian funding opportunities, exposure to institutional donor requirements, experience working on multi-million-dollar proposal submissions, coaching on proposal writing and programme design, practical understanding of grants management, professional networking opportunities, a Certificate of Completion (subject to satisfactory performance), and priority consideration for future vacancies within the organization, where applicable.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time internship based in the organization's office in Damascus or Aleppo, with a standard working week of 40 hours. The internship is unpaid. The organization will provide supervision, mentoring, workspace, and access to internal learning opportunities.

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