Leading Fast Moving Consumers Goods, FMCG, company, Unilever has been endorsed the number one Top Employer in Africa for the fourth time.
The recognition was bestowed on the company at the Top Employer Institute award ceremony held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The firm has also been certified as the number one Top Employer in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Speaking on the feat, Unilever Vice President of Human Resources in Africa, Mechell Chetty noted that the recognition affirmed the company’s ability to deliver world-class employment experience consistently across the continent.
“The Top Employer brand signals to talents that we are committed to staff development and helping our employees reach their personal ambitions. The certification also provides us with important feedback about how we can improve our HR practices.”
The countries were ranked in an extremely competitive HR best practices survey conducted by the Top Employers Institute. Criteria examined included talent strategy, on-boarding, learning and development, performance management, career and succession management, and leadership development, compensation and benefits, and culture.
On her part, the Human Resources Director, Unilever Ghana-Nigeria, Eniola Onimole stated that Unilever invests in its people through initiatives that contribute to their success in the organisation.
“These initiatives include international careers exposure, mentorship programmes, flexible working patterns, graduate recruitment programme and a world-class leadership development curriculum.”
Given the high unemployment rate in Africa, Chetty added that Unilever Africa’s human resource purpose is to address youth unemployment through its ‘Level up Programme’.
The programme is designed to prepare youth for the world of work and till date, it has reached over 80, 000 youths across the continent through face to face connects and digital platforms delivering nine relevant impactful modules.
“We will not stop there; our ambition is to reach one million youth across the continent. Technology-enabled learning has allowed the company to enhance flexible learning to suit different learning styles-learning on the go, anywhere and anytime,” she explained.
By being able to leverage global best practices, combined with expertise and understanding of Africa, the firm has been able to continuously create an environment that allows people to thrive and perform with purpose.
