Research Intern

Overview

The research intern will support the analytical and proposal-facing backbone of TRACE Consulting's work—generating the research, data, and written content that inform technical assignments and supporting the identification and preparation of new business opportunities. This role suits someone who is equally comfortable digging into a policy question and helping put together a competitive proposal and who can use both traditional research methods and modern LLM-based tools to work efficiently and rigorously.

What the Intern will gain

• Practical experience combining research and business development within international development consulting

• Hands-on exposure to both traditional and LLM-assisted research and drafting workflows

• First-hand experience of proposal development for government and donor-funded assignments

• Mentorship and feedback from experienced professionals

• Opportunity to engage with TRACE's network of government, private sector, and development partners

Internship Duration: Preferably 3 months, with possible extension based on performance

Number of Positions: Two (02)

Compensation: BDT 20,000 to 25,000, as per skills

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct secondary research and literature reviews- using both traditional desk research and LLM-assisted research tools-on trade facilitation, regulatory reform, and international development topics
• Support the collection, cleaning, and analysis of quantitative data in MS Excel, including basic calculations, pivot tables, and summary statistics
• Build clear data visualisations and charts to communicate research findings and proposal evidence
• Draft background papers, briefing notes, research articles, reports, and policy briefs to support proposal development and client deliverables
• Assist senior consultants in preparing technical sections of proposals, reports, and case studies, under guidance
• Help maintain TRACE's internal repository of research materials, reference documents, and case studies
• Support the identification and tracking of new business opportunities and tenders across donor portals (e.g. World Bank, ADB, USAID, FCDO) and government procurement channels
• Assist in preparing technical and financial proposal documents, including formatting, compiling annexes, and ensuring compliance with submission requirements
• Conduct research on prospective clients, competitors, consortium partners, and sector trends to inform business development strategy
• Support the drafting and updating of company profiles, capability statements, credentials, and other marketing collateral
• Coordinate with consortium partners and technical experts to collect inputs, CVs, and supporting documents for proposals
• Maintain and update business development trackers, pipeline databases, and proposal calendars
• Provide logistical and note-taking support for stakeholder consultations, workshops, and internal review meetings
• Undertake any other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Qualification

• Currently enrolled in, or a recent graduate of, a relevant undergraduate or graduate programme (e.g., economics, International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy, Business Administration, Statistics, or a related field)
• Comfortable using large language model (LLM) tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) to support and accelerate research, drafting, and analysis
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and cloud-based productivity suites (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and equivalents such as Google Workspace)
• Ability to prepare clear, well-structured presentations independently
• Ability to conduct secondary research both independently and with the support of LLM tools, and to critically assess the reliability of sources in either case
• Working knowledge of MS Excel for basic data analysis, including formulas, pivot tables, and simple charts
• Ability to build clear data visualisations to communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences. Demonstrated writing ability in at least one relevant form—research writing, article writing, report writing, or policy brief writing (please share a writing sample if available)
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• A professional, collaborative attitude and willingness to learn
• Working knowledge of Canva for preparing simple visual or presentation content
• Familiarity with Wix or similar website builders
• Familiarity with statistical or business-intelligence tools such as SPSS, Stata, Power BI, or Tableau
• Familiarity with reference/citation management tools such as Zotero or Mendeley
• Exposure to survey or data-collection tools such as Google Forms, Qualtrics, or KoboToolbox
• Familiarity with CRM or pipeline-tracking tools (e.g. Airtable, Notion, or similar) for business development tracking
• Prior research or business-development experience gained through academic projects, internships, or voluntary work
• Knowledge of import-export procedures, WTO issues, or the Trade Facilitation Agreement will be an added advantage
• Interest in international trade, policy, or development topics

Application Instructions

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents, merged into a single PDF file:

• A CV

• A short cover letter explaining their interest and relevant skills

• Relevant writing samples or portfolio (preferred)