Africa Senior Legal Counsel

Overview

A global leader in autonomous drone delivery services is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to lead and scale legal and compliance efforts across Africa. This role involves managing complex regulatory environments, compliance with U.S. government awards, and supporting public-sector partnerships to enable rapid growth.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and continuously improve legal and compliance programs across African operations
• Manage compliance with U.S. government award requirements, including FARs and 2 CFR 200
• Serve as primary contact for U.S. government contracting officers, including those at the U.S. Department of State
• Lead compliance workstreams covering sanctions, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, privacy, healthcare, employment, and product regulations
• Support internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments in collaboration with People, Finance, and senior leadership
• Manage litigation and disputes within African markets
• Translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for business and technical teams
• Partner with public affairs, policy, and operations teams to align legal, compliance, and government relations strategies
• Monitor regulatory and policy developments across African jurisdictions and advise leadership on emerging risks and opportunities
• Shape long-term legal and regulatory strategy balancing compliance rigor with innovation and speed
• Provide pragmatic, risk-calibrated legal advice to business leaders
• Foster a culture of compliance across teams
• Support commercial negotiation, contracting, and procurement processes

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required
• Member in good standing of at least one U.S. state or international bar
• 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, including experience at a reputable law firm and/or in-house
• Experience with international, compliance, government contracting, or regulated industries strongly preferred
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills with appropriate escalation
• Experience advising or engaging with government entities, regulators, or public-sector stakeholders, ideally in emerging markets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including advising senior stakeholders
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with strong organizational skills
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to Africa, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Compensation & Benefits

Details on compensation and benefits are not specified in the job description.

Location

This role involves travel primarily to Africa, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Specific work location details are not provided.

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics. Applications from individuals traditionally underrepresented in technology are encouraged.