Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Results Framework • Monitoring and Evaluation • Standard Operating Procedures

Trust Fund

Term from International Organizations industry explained for recruiters

A Trust Fund is a special type of financial arrangement where money is set aside for specific projects or programs, commonly used in international organizations like the UN, World Bank, or NGOs. It's different from regular budgets because the money comes from specific donors and must be used for agreed-upon purposes. Think of it like a dedicated bank account that can only be used for certain activities. When you see this term in job descriptions, it usually means the role involves managing, coordinating, or reporting on these specially designated funds.

Examples in Resumes

Managed three Trust Fund projects totaling $5M for education initiatives in Southeast Asia

Coordinated donor relations and reporting for multiple Trust Funds at the World Bank

Led the establishment of a new Multi-Donor Trust Fund supporting climate change adaptation

Typical job title: "Trust Fund Managers"

Also try searching for:

Trust Fund Officer Fund Management Specialist Program Officer Grant Manager Development Fund Coordinator Donor Relations Officer Fund Portfolio Manager

Where to Find Trust Fund Managers

Professional Networks

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a situation where a donor's requirements conflict with the implementing organization's procedures?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience in negotiation, understanding of donor agreements, and ability to find compromises while maintaining compliance with both donor and organizational requirements.

Q: What strategies have you used to ensure effective multi-donor coordination in large trust funds?

Expected Answer: Should explain experience in managing multiple stakeholder interests, coordinating donor meetings, ensuring transparent reporting, and maintaining good relationships with all parties.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure proper financial monitoring and reporting for trust funds?

Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with financial tracking systems, donor reporting requirements, and ensuring transparency in fund usage.

Q: What is your approach to managing donor relationships?

Expected Answer: Should explain communication strategies, reporting practices, and how to maintain good relationships while meeting donor expectations and requirements.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between a single-donor and multi-donor trust fund?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic fund structures and understand that single-donor funds have one contributor while multi-donor funds combine resources from multiple sources.

Q: How do you track and document trust fund expenses?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of financial tracking, expense categorization, and importance of maintaining clear documentation.