[Remote] Africa Senior Legal Counsel

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service, and they are seeking a senior, strategic lawyer to lead and scale legal and compliance efforts across Africa. This role involves designing and implementing legal programs, managing compliance with U.S. government award requirements, and advising on regulatory issues while supporting the company's growth in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, scale, and continuously improve Zipline’s legal and compliance programs across Africa, with a focus on sustainable, practical operations that support rapid growth
• Own compliance with U.S. government award requirements, including FARs and 2 CFR 200, and serve as a primary point of contact for U.S. government contracting officers (including at the U.S. Department of State)
• Lead day-to-day compliance workstreams covering sanctions, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, privacy, healthcare, employment, and product-related regulations
• Support internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments, partnering closely with People, Finance, and senior leadership
• Manage litigation and disputes across Zipline’s African market
• Translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for business and technical teams
• Partner with internal public affairs, policy, and operations teams to align legal, compliance, and government relations strategies
• Monitor and assess regulatory and policy developments across relevant African jurisdictions and advise leadership on emerging risks and opportunities
• Help shape Zipline’s long-term legal and regulatory strategy in Africa, balancing compliance rigor with innovation and speed
• Act as a senior legal advisor to business leaders, providing pragmatic, risk-calibrated guidance
• Build strong relationships across the company and help foster a durable 'culture of compliance' where teams understand the rules of the road and feel empowered to raise issues early
• Support commercial negotiation, contracting, and procurement processes

Skills

• JD required
• Member in good standing of at least one U.S. state or international bar
• At least 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, including experience at a reputable law firm and/or in-house (international, compliance, government contracting, or regulated-industry experience strongly preferred)
• A willingness to dive deep into unfamiliar issues and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-environments
• Strong judgment and the confidence to make independent decisions, coupled with the discernment to escalate when appropriate
• Experience advising on or engaging with government entities, regulators, or public-sector stakeholders, ideally in international or emerging-market contexts
• The ability to break down complex legal and regulatory problems into clear priorities and practical solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to advise senior stakeholders
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset and strong organizational skills
• Willingness to travel up to ~25% to Africa, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C

Company Overview

Company H1B Sponsorship