SHE Internship Programme at Unilever

Unilever South Africa is offering an exciting SHE Internship Programme at their manufacturing facility in Boksburg, Gauteng. This comprehensive development initiative provides ambitious graduates with structured, hands-on workplace experience in Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) within a world-class fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) production environment. Working directly alongside experienced SHE Coordinators, Leads, and Managers, the successful candidate will gain valuable operational exposure, support continuous safety compliance, and develop essential technical proficiencies needed to build a successful career in health and safety management.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the SHE team in regularly reviewing and updating standard operating procedures to maintain regulatory compliance.

• Support the execution of environmental aspects and impacts assessments as well as operational risk assessments across plant sections.

• Participate actively in incident investigations, root cause analyses, and tracking corrective measures.

• Communicate procedural updates and safety bulletins across the facility using onsite digital noticeboards and operational shift meetings.

• Coordinate and schedule mandatory SHE training sessions in collaboration with internal and external facilitators.

• Collate, track, and report critical SHE performance statistics, metrics, and incident registers.

• Collaborate with coordinators to drive audit plans, first aid replenishment, housekeeping standards, and area inspections.

• Manage operational action trackers to guarantee timely resolution of all safety findings.

• Lead and execute two dedicated SHE improvement projects to build technical skills and optimize plant performance.

• Conduct contractor SHE inductions ensuring all external personnel adhere strictly to Unilever safety protocols.

Why Join the Company

Unilever is a globally recognized employer known for its vibrant work culture, sustainability leadership, and commitment to youth development. As a SHE Intern at Unilever South Africa, you will benefit from structured mentorship, modern manufacturing systems, and an inclusive work culture that values innovation and employee well-being. This opportunity offers unmatched exposure to international SHE frameworks, empowering you with industry-standard practical competencies that accelerate long-term career growth.

Application Strategy (Exclusive)

• Emphasize Risk & Compliance Knowledge: Highlight any academic projects or coursework covering OHS Act regulations, ISO 14001, or ISO 45001 standards directly on your CV.

• Showcase Data & Reporting Skills: Unilever relies heavily on metrics; ensure your application demonstrates solid analytical abilities and proficiency in Excel for logging statistics and tracking audit actions.

• Highlight Proactive Communication: Detail examples where you delivered presentations, facilitated discussions, or coordinated group initiatives, as contractor inductions and safety briefings are central to this role.

Interview Preparation

Candidates shortlisted for this role are likely to encounter scenario-based evaluation questions such as:

• "How would you handle a situation where an experienced contractor refuses to follow a critical site safety procedure?"

• "Can you walk us through the steps you would take to conduct a thorough workplace incident investigation?"

Enhance your interview readiness by rehearsing structured behavioral answers using the Xhosadev Interview Simulator.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online directly through the Unilever careers portal before the closing deadline. Reference: R-1188277.

Click here to apply for this role

• Must hold a completed Degree, Advanced Diploma, or BTech in Safety, Occupational Health, Environmental Management, or Environmental Science.

• South African citizen with a valid ID document.

• Basic understanding of occupational health and safety legislation and environmental standards (OHS Act, ISO 14001/45001).

• Strong administrative, organizational, and time-management capabilities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Willingness to work within a fast-paced manufacturing and supply chain environment in Boksburg.