Principal Counsel, Africa

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants anywhere in the world.

📋 Description

• Design, implement, and enhance Zipline’s legal and compliance initiatives across Africa.

• Oversee daily compliance activities related to sanctions, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, privacy, healthcare, employment, and product regulations.

• Assist with internal investigations, audits, and risk evaluations in collaboration with People, Finance, and senior leadership.

• Manage litigation and disputes throughout Zipline’s operations in African markets.

• Convert complex regulatory requirements into actionable guidance for both business and technical teams.

• Ensure adherence to U.S. government award stipulations, including FARs and 2 CFR 200.

• Act as a primary liaison for U.S. government contracting officials, including representatives from the U.S. Department of State.

• Track regulatory and policy changes across African jurisdictions and provide leadership with insights on emerging risks and opportunities.

• Serve as a senior legal advisor to business leaders.

• Cultivate cross-company relationships and promote a compliance-oriented culture.

• Contribute to shaping Zipline’s long-term legal and regulatory vision for Africa.

• Collaborate across functions with Africa Leadership, Operations, Policy, Government Affairs, People, Finance, and Engineering.

• Report directly to Zipline’s Deputy General Counsel, with a dotted line reporting to the CEO of Zipline Africa.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven experience in providing legal and compliance advice, ideally in international or emerging-market settings.

• Ability to thoroughly investigate unfamiliar issues and function effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

• Strong judgment and the confidence to make independent decisions, with the discernment to escalate issues when necessary.

• Capability to simplify complex legal and regulatory challenges into clear priorities and actionable solutions.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to advise senior stakeholders.

• A collaborative, solution-focused mindset coupled with strong organizational abilities.

• Willingness to travel up to 25% to locations in Africa and the San Francisco headquarters.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer.

• Commitment to a diversity-focused workplace.

• Applications encouraged from individuals traditionally underrepresented in the tech industry.

• Voluntary self-identification survey; participation is completely voluntary and does not influence the hiring process.