The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit an intern in the Engineering Unit in Addis Ababa - Ethiopia.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres (https://www.cgiar.org/) dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices in East, South and Southern Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

As a CGIAR research centre, ILRI contributes to and takes inspiration from the CGIAR vision: A world with sustainable and resilient food, land, and water systems that deliver diverse, healthy, safe, sufficient, and affordable diets, and ensure improved livelihoods and greater social equality, within planetary and regional environmental boundaries.

ILRIs’ mission is that: People’s lives in low- and middle-income countries are improved through livestock science that contributes to equitable and resilient livestock systems in order to deliver food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits.

About the position:

The Facilities & Project Management Unit is currently managing multiple renovation, infrastructure improvement, and maintenance optimization initiatives across campus. The intern will support space planning, drawing review, documentation, basic quantity take-offs, and site coordination tasks to strengthen delivery efficiency and quality control. ILRI seeks a motivated Architecture or Engineering Intern to support the Facilities & Project Management Unit in planning, design review, documentation, and coordination of renovation, infrastructure, and maintenance improvement works across the Addis Ababa campus. The intern will help reduce turnaround time for small works and improve documentation and project tracking within the unit.

Key responsibilities:

1. Design & Drawing Support:

• Assist in preparation of basic layouts, space planning options, and technical drawings using AutoCAD.
• Support review of consultant and contractor drawings for completeness and constructability.
• Assist in preparation of simple presentation drawings and technical documentation.

2. Quantity Take-off & Costing Support:

• Support preparation of basic Bills of Quantities (BOQs) for minor renovation works.
• Assist in basic measurement and quantity take-offs from drawings.
• Support in the review of measurement/payment certificates from contractors and service providers
• Support preparation of comparative summaries for quotations under supervision.

3. Site Coordination & Documentation:

• Participate in site visits and document progress (photos, notes, observations).
• Participating in maintenance work inspection and report on progress and findings
• Assist in preparing short site visit reports and punch lists.
• Support tracking of actions and contractor follow-ups.

4. Project Documentation & Records:

• Organize digital and hard-copy project documentation.
• Assist in maintaining drawing registers and as-built records.
• Support preparation of short technical briefs and internal reports.
• Conduct a review and revision of the existing architectural planned preventive maintenance (PPM) list.
• Consolidate campus building data (architectural specifications and key details) into a single master sheet.

Position requirements:

The ideal candidate should be: -

1. A continuing undergraduate student in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Technology/Management, or related fields.
2. Strong working knowledge of AutoCAD (mandatory).
3. Ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering drawings.
4. Basic understanding of construction materials and site practices.
5. Proficiency in MS Office (Excel skills for BoQ support preferred).
6. Strong communication skills and attention to detail.
7. Willing to participate in maintenance supervision, site activities and field inspections.

Location: ILRI Addis Ababa - Ethiopia.

Duration: 6 months. (starting 1st April 2026)

Terms of appointment

The internship at ILRI will offer:

• A monthly stipend to meet day-to-day living expenses.
• Medical insurance for the internship duration.

How to apply: All applications MUST include the following (applications not containing these documents will not be considered):

• A cover letter addressed to the Senior Manager, Capacity Development, expressing interest in the internship position and motivation for application. The position title and reference number (REF: INT/ILRI/ENG_ADD/01/2026) should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
• CV.
• Academic qualification transcripts/ certificates.
• Letter from the university confirming internship period and requirement as part of the study program.

Applications must be submitted on or before 20th March 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org