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 execution, regulatory strategy, and public-sector partnerships to support rapid growth in the region.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and continuously improve legal and compliance programs across Africa, focusing on sustainable and practical operations.
• Manage compliance with U.S. government award requirements, including FARs and 2 CFR 200, serving as a primary contact for U.S. government contracting officers.
• 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 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 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, advising leadership on emerging risks and opportunities.
• Help shape 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 organization to foster a culture of compliance.
• 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 advising or engaging with government entities, regulators, or public-sector stakeholders, ideally in international or emerging-market contexts.
• Strong judgment and confidence to make independent decisions with appropriate escalation.
• Ability to break down complex legal and regulatory problems into clear priorities and practical solutions.
• 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.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in international compliance, government contracting, or regulated industries.

Compensation & Benefits

Details regarding compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Location

This role involves travel up to 25% to Africa, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Specific work location details will be discussed with candidates.