One of the best stories coming out of Africa these days is the emergence of a rapidly growing middle class society. Though the divide between rich and poor remains a challenge, this problem is been thwart by the ever increasing financial prowess of the rising middle class. Furthermore, this rapidly growing demographic has shown sustained appetite for accessibility to consumer goods and brand products which would assist in any way in making their lives a tad bit more comfortable.
One of the companies taking notice of this demand is that of Unilever, the world’s biggest food and soap company, and the second –biggest consumer goods company in the world. With the platform of the company been “ to meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life”, Unilever is making a strong push into African markets.
Unilever Office Park complex in Johannesburg, SA
Unilever in Africa With an established presence in Africa spanning over 100 years, Unilever has deep imprints throughout the continent , and boasts offices in Angola, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. In Africa today, Unilever has successfully woven itself into the fabric of almost every person’s existence, by producing for the masses popular consumer goods products such Omo washing powder – Lipton tea – Dove soap- Magnum ice cream – Flora margarine, among others. This has all accumulated to the company generating sales of more than $7.2bn in Africa in a given year.
Jobs within Unilever in Africa
African Professionals in the diaspora with expertise in finance, research & development, supply chain, logistics, marketing, and IT, have a high probability of finding interesting job position within Unilever branches in Africa. The company also has a solid graduate traineeship program; where by graduate students can seek internship opportunities within the company’s various office locations in Africa. As of present, below is a list of available positions within Unilever offices in Africa:
– Assistant Supply Chain Management – Durban, South Africa
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Global Mobility Analyst – Durban, South Africa
– Unilever Future Leaders Programme – Nairobi, Kenya
– Unilever Future Leaders Programme – Democratic Republic of Congo
To access these openings go to:
– Scroll down to “Careers” Section
– Click on Apply
– Click on Current Vacancies
Unilever -Corporate Social Responsibility
One of the most commendable aspects of Unilever’s presence in Africa, is that the company takes into consideration the financial as well as cultural context of the people to whom they sell their products. In essence, the company is aware that in Africa for example, it is essential to utilize unconventional means of furthering distribution networks, given the often shaky roads, railways, and other transportation infrastructure of some countries. With this in mind, in some African countries where they operate, the company has implemented a micro-finance scheme known as “Shakti”; where by the company recruits mostly female vendors, to sell to friends and family in remote villages and towns (that are impenetrable via normal Unilever distribution chains) consumer goods products such as soaps, lotions, tooth paste, etc. This Unilever led micro-finance program which kicked off in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, reported earns a $22 monthly income to rural women who otherwise would be unemployed.
In conclusion, I don’t know about you guys, but certainly if I were coming to Africa as a young professional, Unilever would definitely be one of my preferred companies to work.
I noticed while grocery shopping today…..that my favorite skin care lotion Ponds (as u can see by the big U sign on the back) is a Unilever product
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