Internship - Sustainable Business & Communications

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Internship - Sustainable Business & Communications

🔹 Company: Unilever

🔹 Location: Rotterdam - Weena 455, Netherlands

🔹 Job Type: Internship

🔹 Category: Communications, Business, Sustainability

🔹 Date Posted: May 8, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: Intern (0-2 years)

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Supporting Unilever’s delivery of its sustainability goals for livelihoods and human rights.
• Working alongside external partners to advocate for systemic change, including to Governments.
• Creating impactful communications campaigns and deploy market research on sustainable brands and business.
• Structuring, collecting and managing information from different stakeholders.
• Preparing senior leaders for external events including at key global moments e.g. UN General Assembly, World Economic Forum, World Summit for Social Development.

ASSUMPTION: This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sustainable business and communications within a large, global organization. It provides exposure to various aspects of communications, stakeholder management, and sustainability.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Supporting internal communications efforts and creating communication assets for campaigns and activations.

✅ Managing events for stakeholders and contributing to external storytelling.

✅ Participating in issue management and change communication.

ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong communication skills, proactivity, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and stakeholders effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Enrolled in a Bachelor or Master’s program (3rd or 4th year) in a relevant field such as communications, political science, or sustainability.

Experience: No prior work experience is required, but a demonstrated interest in business and sustainability is essential.

Required Skills:

• Fluency in English, both oral and written.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proactivity and eagerness to learn.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience in communications, sustainability, or related fields.
• Knowledge of the FMCG industry.

ASSUMPTION: While specific industry experience is not required, a strong interest in business and sustainability, along with excellent communication skills, is crucial for success in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €625 gross/month allowance.

Benefits:

• Travel reimbursement (if you don’t have a student travel card).
• Fun and engaging intern programs – onboarding, events, and activities with fellow interns.
• Access to extensive training programs for personal and professional growth.
• Flexible working environment tailored to your success.
• Behind-the-scenes experience at one of the world’s largest and most innovative FMCG companies.

Working Hours: 32 hours/week.

ASSUMPTION: The salary and benefits package is competitive for an internship in the Netherlands, with a focus on providing a comprehensive learning experience and supporting personal growth.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Unilever operates in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, with a strong focus on sustainability and purpose-led business.

Company Size: Unilever is a large, multinational corporation with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers interns the opportunity to work on global projects and gain exposure to diverse teams and cultures.

Founded: Unilever was founded in 1929 through the merger of British soapmaker Lever Brothers and Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie. The company has a rich history and a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

Company Description:

• Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home Care, and Personal Care products, with iconic brands such as Dove, Knorr, and Lipton.
• The company is committed to making sustainable living commonplace, with a vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2039 and to ensure that 100% of its packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.
• Unilever’s purpose is to create a better business, a better world, and a better life for its consumers, with a focus on improving the health and well-being of people around the world.

Company Specialties:

• Consumer Goods
• Food
• Home Care
• Personal Care
• Refreshments
• Marketing & Advertising
• Retail
• Purpose
• FMCG
• Digital
• Ice Cream
• Nutrition
• Sustainability
• Beauty & Wellbeing
• Innovation
• Careers

Company Website: http://www.unilever.com

ASSUMPTION: Unilever’s large size and global presence offer interns a unique opportunity to work on diverse projects and gain exposure to various aspects of the business. The company’s strong commitment to sustainability and purpose-led business provides a meaningful context for interns to make a real impact.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This internship is designed for students in their third or fourth year of a Bachelor or Master’s program, with no or limited work experience.

Reporting Structure: Interns will report directly to the Communications Department and work closely with various teams and stakeholders within Unilever.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site internship, with a minimum commitment of 32 hours/week for a duration of 5 to 6 months.

Growth Opportunities:

• Gain hands-on experience in sustainable business and communications within a large, global organization.
• Develop skills in managing communications, stakeholder management, and sustainability.
• Build a professional network within the FMCG industry.
• Potential full-time employment opportunities upon completion of the internship.

ASSUMPTION: This internship provides a strong foundation for a career in communications, sustainability, or related fields, with the potential for long-term growth and development within Unilever or other organizations.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Unilever’s Rotterdam office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on innovation and sustainability.

Office Location(s): Rotterdam - Weena 455, Netherlands

Geographic Context:

• Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, with a vibrant cultural scene, a rich history, and a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.
• The city is home to a diverse and multicultural population, with a strong international business community.
• Rotterdam is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to Amsterdam and other major cities in the Netherlands and Europe.

Work Schedule: The internship requires a minimum commitment of 32 hours/week for a duration of 5 to 6 months, starting in late August or early September 2025.

ASSUMPTION: The office environment and location provide a stimulating and supportive context for interns to learn, grow, and make a real impact on the business.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Submit your application through the provided link.
• Complete the questionnaire sent to you.
• Participate in a friendly phone call to discuss your motivations and fit for the role.
• Attend an interview with the manager to discuss the opportunity further.
• Receive an offer letter with all the exciting details about your internship, if selected.
• Complete the onboarding process, including any necessary paperwork, training sessions, and introductions to your team.
• Kick off your internship and start working on your cool projects and responsibilities.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Communication skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and stakeholders.
• Interest in business and sustainability, and alignment with Unilever’s purpose and values.
• Proactivity, eagerness to learn, and cultural fit within the organization.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and motivation letter to highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and interests in business and sustainability.
• Be prepared to discuss your motivation for the internship and your long-term career goals during the phone call and interview.
• Research Unilever’s business, values, and sustainability initiatives to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission.

ATS Keywords: Communications, sustainability, business, stakeholder management, issue management, change communication, FMCG, Unilever, internship, learning, development, growth

ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates’ communication skills, interest in business and sustainability, and cultural fit within the organization. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong alignment with Unilever’s purpose and values and a clear motivation for the internship.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
• Social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for communications and project management, with a focus on collaboration and communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Our Purpose is to create a better business, a better world, and a better life for our consumers.
• Our Vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business.
• Our Mission is to meet the everyday needs of people everywhere, to nutrition, hygiene, and personal care products, always improving, always moving forward.

Work Style:

• Collaborative and inclusive, with a focus on teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.
• Fast-paced and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Results-driven, with a focus on delivering high-quality work and achieving tangible outcomes.

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Unilever’s purpose and values, and how do they motivate you to succeed in this role?
• How do you approach managing multiple tasks and stakeholders, and how do you ensure effective communication and collaboration in a dynamic work environment?
• How do you stay organized and focused on your priorities, and how do you adapt to changes and new challenges in your work?

ASSUMPTION: Unilever’s culture is characterized by a strong commitment to purpose-led business, sustainability, and collaboration. Successful interns will demonstrate a strong alignment with the company’s values and a clear motivation for contributing to its mission.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The internship requires a minimum commitment of 32 hours/week for a duration of 5 to 6 months, which may be challenging for some students with other commitments or responsibilities.
• The role may involve working on multiple projects and managing multiple stakeholders, which can be demanding and require strong organizational skills and adaptability.
• The internship is based in Rotterdam, which may require relocation or commuting for some candidates.
• The competitive nature of the internship may result in a high volume of applications, potentially leading to a more selective recruitment process.

ASSUMPTION: While the internship offers a unique opportunity for learning and growth, it also presents certain challenges that candidates should be aware of and prepared to address.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This internship is unique in its focus on sustainable business and communications within a large, global organization. While there may be similar roles in other companies, Unilever’s size, global presence, and commitment to sustainability set it apart.
• The FMCG industry is highly competitive and dynamic, with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement. This internship provides a unique opportunity to gain exposure to this industry and develop relevant skills and experience.
• This internship is designed for students in their third or fourth year of a Bachelor or Master’s program, with no or limited work experience. It offers a strong foundation for a career in communications, sustainability, or related fields, with the potential for long-term growth and development within Unilever or other organizations.

ASSUMPTION: While there may be similarities between this internship and other roles in the industry, Unilever’s unique focus on sustainable business and communications, along with its large size and global presence, sets it apart and offers a unique learning and growth opportunity for interns.

📝 Sample Projects

• Supporting the development and implementation of a communications campaign to raise awareness of Unilever’s sustainability initiatives and goals.
• Managing an event for stakeholders, including logistics, planning, and execution, with a focus on effective communication and engagement.
• Contributing to external storytelling efforts, including the creation of content for Unilever’s website, social media channels, and other external platforms.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are designed to provide interns with a diverse and challenging learning experience, with a focus on developing relevant skills and gaining exposure to various aspects of the business.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader communications and sustainability efforts within Unilever, and how does it contribute to the company’s overall mission and goals?
• What opportunities are there for growth and development within the Communications Department and the broader organization?
• How does Unilever support the integration and development of interns within the organization?
• What are the key challenges and opportunities for this role, and how can I best position myself to succeed and make a real impact?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the opportunities for growth and development, enabling them to make informed decisions about their application and, if selected, their approach to the internship.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Click here to submit your application through the provided link.
• Tailor your resume and motivation letter to highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and interests in business and sustainability.
• Prepare for the phone call and interview by researching Unilever’s business, values, and sustainability initiatives, and by reflecting on your motivation for the internship and your long-term career goals.
• If selected, complete the onboarding process, including any necessary paperwork, training sessions, and introductions to your team.
• Kick off your internship and start working on your cool projects and responsibilities.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.