Unilever: YES Programme 2025/2026

ByRainbow Time

Unilever is calling on unemployed young individuals aged 18-34 to join the YES Programme, a year-long internship aimed at providing you with practical work experience and vital skills for your professional journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your career prospects! Apply now and take the first step towards a brighter future!

Position: YES Programme (12 month Internship)
Category: Finance
Location: Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa

Our Future Leaders Programme

Our Future Leaders Programme is designed to ignite the leader in you by providing challenging and purposeful opportunities that accelerate your readiness for business leadership roles.

The Unilever YES Programme

Your career at Unilever will be a unique journey in an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach; instead, we provide tools to help you shape your future.

About the YES Programme

The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme is a national initiative empowering South African youth by providing valuable work experience. At Unilever, YES is more than just work experience — it’s a launchpad for future careers.

This 12-month journey will ignite your potential, equip you with practical skills, and expose you to real-world business challenges. Whether supporting teams in offices or on the factory floor, you’ll gain meaningful, hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment where learning, growth, and purpose come together.

This is your chance to be part of a company reimagining the future of work — and investing in yours.

JOB PURPOSE

To provide participants with meaningful work experience, skills development opportunities, and exposure to a professional environment as a stepping stone into the world of work.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Participants will support various business functions, playing a key role in ensuring effective operations and gaining accelerated practical experience.

Business Functions include:

  • Customer Development (CD): Collaborate with major supermarkets to optimize results for Unilever and customers through relationship-building and sales execution.
  • Cullinary: Assist in preparing product samples for demos, trade shows, and customer meetings; support chefs in content creation for webinars and “how to” videos.
  • Marketing: Build brands, drive consumer engagement, and develop growth strategies.
  • Supply Chain: Manage the end-to-end process from sourcing to manufacturing and delivery.
  • Human Resources (HR): Support talent management, employee engagement, and organizational development.
  • Finance: Handle financial planning, analysis, reporting, and compliance.
  • Information Technology (IT): Support business operations through tech solutions and digital transformation.
  • Mechanical Engineering: Work on engineering projects and gain exposure to advanced manufacturing processes.
  • Safety Health and Environment (SHE): Help implement systems to reduce Occupational Health and Safety risks.
  • Communications: Manage internal/external communications, corporate affairs, and public relations.
  • Learning & Rewards: Focus on employee development, training, and compensation strategies.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  • South African citizen, aged 18 – 34 years
  • Currently unemployed and not studying full-time
  • Completed Matric certificate (Grade 12)
  • Relevant tertiary qualifications beneficial
  • No more than 2 years’ work experience
  • Commitment to the 12-month programme
  • Must not have completed a YES Programme previously
  • Willingness to learn and grow in a professional environment
  • Strong academic record
  • Strong computer literacy
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Good time management skills
  • Ability to work in collaborative teams
  • Positive attitude
UNILEVER BEHAVIORS
  • Care Deeply: Passionate about consumer experience, people’s growth, and impact on the planet.
  • Focus on What Counts: Prioritize what matters, set clear goals, and recognize others.
  • Stay Three Steps Ahead: Think boldly and creatively to exceed goals and anticipate trends.
  • Deliver with Excellence: Own your work, hold yourself and others accountable, and deliver results fast.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please attach the following documents:

  • Updated CV
  • Copy of highest qualification (e.g., Grade 12, Diploma, Degree)
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Unilever values equity, diversity, and inclusion. This initiative supports Employment Equity objectives and considers suitably qualified individuals from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act.

We encourage applicants to bring their ‘Whole Self’ to work. If you require support or access accommodations during recruitment, please advise us at the time of application.

HOW TO APPLY

YES Programme (12 month Internship) – Durban

YES Programme (12 month Internship) – Johannesburg