Internship Opportunity: Ethiopian Parliament and IGAD Sub-Regional Studies
Bridge Research and Innovation is pleased to announce an internship opportunity for undergraduate students, recent graduates, and postgraduate scholars (MA and PhD) from diverse social science and humanities disciplines interested in parliamentary affairs and the IGAD sub-regional dynamics.
Who should apply?
Students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds, including political science, sociology, economics, law, journalism, public administration, international relations, peace and security, and other related social science fields.
Internship Duration: 3 months (a modest stipend with covered assignment-related expenses), and based on your quarterly performance, a regular vacant post will be considered.
What you’ll do:
- Assist research teams with data collection, analysis, and report writing
- Support projects focused on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives and the IGAD sub-region.
- Contribute to the development of policy briefs and public-facing publications
- Collaborate with a dynamic team of experienced researchers and practitioners
Why apply?
Gain practical experience applying your academic knowledge in real-world research and policy environments and make a meaningful impact.
Application requirements:
- Final-year student or recent graduate in Political Science, Sociology, Economics, or Journalism
- Strong research and analytical skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Afan Oromo, Sidamigna, Somali, and Tigrigna is highly desirable. Candidates who are multilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply
How to apply:
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter explaining your interest to ‘info@bridge-et.org’ with the subject line ‘Internship.’
Vacancy Announcement: Parliamentary Researcher
Organization: BRIDGE Research & Innovation for Democratic Governance & Enhanced Peace
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Position Type: Full-time / Contract
Application Deadline: April 5, 2026
About BRIDGE Research and Innovation
BRIDGE is an Addis Ababa-based, non-profit think tank and Parliamentary Monitoring Organization. We specialize in parliamentary affairs and the sub-regional organization of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Operating under the FDRE Civil Society Organization Proclamation No. 1113/2019, we are dedicated to strengthening democratic governance through rigorous evidence-based research.
The Role
We are seeking a high-caliber Parliamentary Researcher with a sharp analytical mind and a deep understanding of legislative frameworks. The ideal candidate will serve as a primary intellectual contributor, transforming complex political developments into actionable policy insights. Responsible for monitoring the Ethiopian Federal Parliament and regional legislatures, ensuring our stakeholders receive timely, accurate, and impactful analysis.
Key Responsibilities
- Legislative Analysis and Monitoring
- Real-time Tracking: Monitor and analyze the daily activities, sessions, and committee hearings of the Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR).
- Regional Oversight: Extend research coverage to Regional State Councils to provide a holistic view of the Ethiopian federal system.
- Legislative Review: Conduct in-depth reviews of draft bills, proclamations, and regulations, assessing their potential impact on democratic governance and peacebuilding.
- Core Research Production and Policy Recommendations
- Analytical Articles: Produce regular, high-quality analytical pieces for the “Enderasie” monthly digest and other BRIDGE publications.
- Policy Papers: Author comprehensive research reports and policy briefs that offer practical recommendations to lawmakers, civil society, and international partners.
- Thematic Studies: Lead specialized research projects on parliamentary oversight, budget scrutiny, the effectiveness of constituency representation and other related issues.
- Content Collaboration and Research Translation
- Multimedia Integration: Work closely with the Media & Communications team to translate dense research findings into accessible formats, such as infographics, executive summaries, and podcast talking points.
- Knowledge Management: Maintain a digital archive of legislative documents and research outputs to support the organization’s monitoring and evaluation efforts.
- Institutional Consistency: Ensure all research outputs adhere to BRIDGE’s high standards of accuracy, neutrality, and academic integrity.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Public Affairs
- Technical Support: Provide expert briefings to BRIDGE staff and partners ahead of high-level roundtables, workshops, and media engagements.
- Expert Representation: Represent BRIDGE in technical working groups, public forums, and parliamentary hearings, providing detailed reports, summaries, and analytical insights.
- Media Readiness: Assist in drafting press releases and technical summaries to ensure accurate media reporting on complex parliamentary issues.
Requirements & Application Process
- Educational Background: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, Federalism, Sociology, Journalism, Economics, or a related Social Science field.
- Thematic Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of the Ethiopian federal system, legislative processes, and the regional dynamics of the Horn of Africa.
- Writing Portfolio: Essential. Applicants must submit at least two samples of previous research (articles, policy briefs, or academic papers) demonstrating analytical depth.
- Selection Process: Shortlisted candidates will undergo a written competency exam focused on legislative analysis, followed by a formal interview.
How to Apply: Please send your CV and research portfolio to [info@bridge-et.org] with the subject line: “Application: Parliamentary Researcher – [Your Name]”
Vacancy Announcement: Media & Communications Officer
Organization: BRIDGE Research & Innovation for Democratic Governance & Enhanced Peace
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Position Type: Paid Internship or Contract Employee
Application Deadline: April 5, 2026
About BRIDGE Research and Innovation
BRIDGE is and Addis Ababa based, non-profit think tank and Parliamentary Monitoring Organization specializing in parliamentary affairs and the sub-regional organization of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). It operates as a local organization in accordance with the FDRE Civil Society Organization Proclamation No. 1113/2019. We are looking for a dynamic and creative Media & Communications Officer to become the voice of our impact and the architect of our digital identity.
The Role
We are looking for a multi-talented professional who can translate complex research into compelling narratives, manage our digital infrastructure, and safeguard our institutional reputation. Whether you are a rising star looking for a paid internship or an experienced professional seeking a contract role, if you have a passion for storytelling and systems, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
1. Digital, Website, and Brand Management
- Digital Presence: Manage and publish content across social media platforms, expanding BRIDGE’s presence on channels such as Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Substack, Spotify, YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok. Curate inputs from programme teams, maintain a social media style guide, and ensure brand consistency. Track engagement metrics across digital channels, providing analytics to inform strategy and optimize outreach.
- Website Management: Regularly update the BRIDGE website with news, publications, events, and job postings, working with admin and research teams to ensure content is timely, accurate, and engaging. Collaborate with external developers for enhancements of usability and a strong user experience.
- Brand Consistency: Ensure BRIDGE’s brand identity is consistently represented across digital and print channels. Develop and manage visual materials, including logos, templates, and other branded items, to maintain a cohesive look and feel in all outward-facing communications outputs.
2. Strategy, for the conceptualization of public-facing key messages
- Research Translation: Work alongside our research teams to turn dense reports into engaging multimedia content—think infographics, short-form videos, podcasts, and newsletters.
- Strategy Implementation: Work closely with the admin and research teams to implement BRIDGE’s communications strategy, focusing on tailored communication plans for each programme and new projects.
- Promoting and delivering key messages: Deliver information based on tailored plans, using data-driven insights to refine messaging, channels, and formats for maximum impact.
- Content Creation: Develop high-quality, engaging multimedia content as outlined in public-facing communication plans, including social media posts, images, videos, audios, and newsletters, to reach and engage target audiences.
- Support for Fundraising and Visibility: Support, and if necessary, coordinate public engagement plans that showcase BRIDGE’s achievements and reinforce the organization’s value to potential funders. Prepare and promote materials that highlight impactful outputs and programme success to raise awareness, indirectly supporting BRIDGE’s fundraising goals.
3. Stakeholder Engagement, Media Relations, and Public Affairs
- Media Liaison and Press Readiness: Develop an introductory press kit and basic media protocols; support staff training for media engagement; ensure teams have resources to handle press requests confidently and professionally.
- Stakeholder and Event Engagement: Equip staff attending or hosting events, from high-level roundtables to community workshops, is equipped with consistent, professional, branded materials (e.g., brochures, slides) to ensure BRIDGE’s public events and outreach initiatives promote the organization’s work strategically.
- Organizational values and reputation: Ensure all public-facing materials uphold BRIDGE’s values, principles and standards. Support staffs with media activities in situations where BRIDGE’s reputation is at risk due to negative publicity including by developing communication protocols to guide timely and effective responses in critical situations.
4. Knowledge Management and IT Support
- File Storage and Database Management: Oversee BRIDGE’s file storage protocols on OneDrive and contact database; ensure compliance with organizational standards, providing training and support to staff as needed.
- Digital Archives: Maintain and update BRIDGE’s digital archives, ensuring accurate, accessible records of publications and multimedia outputs for monitoring and evaluation.
- Software Administration: Manage access and operation of BRIDGE’s suite of software tools, including MS Office, and, handle email setup and digital infrastructure support.
- IT Support: Provide IT assistance to the BRIDGE team, troubleshooting technical issues and coordinating with external IT services for hardware maintenance and procurement.
- Institutional Resources and Templates: Support the maintenance and development of BRIDGE’s branded stationery and templates (e.g., logos, letterheads, forms, timesheets) to ensure consistency across organizational materials.
- System and Process Enhancement: Support the improvement of systems and processes for knowledge management and IT to increase operational efficiency and streamline account management across the organization.
Requirements & Application Process
- Educational Background: Degree in Communications, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Local & Regional Knowledge: Demonstrated interest in and understanding of the Ethiopian federal system, IGAD, and the broader Horn of Africa region, which constitute BRIDGE’s core research areas.
- Portfolio: Your CV must include links or attachments of your former work (designs, videos, or social media campaigns you have managed).
- Deadline: All applications must be submitted by April 5, 2026.
Selection Process: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a competency exam followed by a formal interview.
How to Apply: Please send your CV and portfolio of former works to [info@bridge-et.org] with the subject line: “Application: Media & Communications Officer – [Your Name]”.