Principal Counsel, Africa Legal

Overview

This role involves leading legal and compliance for operations across multiple countries in Africa. The position combines compliance execution with regulatory strategy and is designed to support the organization’s continued growth in complex and evolving regulatory environments.

You will independently lead Africa Legal & Compliance operations and strategy while serving as part of the international Legal Team. You will also be a key member of the Africa Leadership Team, working closely with the Heads of People and Finance and with Country Directors. Reporting includes a dotted line to the Africa CEO and direct reporting to the Deputy General Counsel.

This is a hands-on leadership role with significant autonomy, supported by collaboration with a larger global legal team. Responsibilities may range from advising on employment and healthcare regulatory issues in specific African markets to developing compliance training, and supporting navigation of cross-border risks such as export controls, sanctions, and anti-corruption.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, scale, and continuously improve legal and compliance programs across Africa, focused on sustainable, practical operations that support rapid growth
• 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 partnership with People, Finance, and senior leadership
• Manage litigation and disputes across African markets
• Translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for business and technical teams
• 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)
• Monitor and assess regulatory and policy developments across relevant African jurisdictions and advise leadership on emerging risks and opportunities

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as a senior legal advisor to business leaders with pragmatic, risk-calibrated guidance
• Build strong relationships across the organization and help foster a durable culture of compliance, enabling teams to understand expectations and raise issues early
• Contribute to long-term legal and regulatory strategy in Africa, balancing compliance rigor with innovation and speed

Requirements / What You’ll Bring

• Willingness to dive deep into unfamiliar issues and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
• Strong judgment and confidence to make independent decisions, with the discernment to escalate when appropriate
• Experience advising on legal and compliance matters, preferably in international or emerging-market environments
• 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
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset and strong organizational skills

Travel

• Willingness to travel up to : 25% to Africa and San Francisco headquarters

Compensation & Benefits

Not specified.

Location

Africa with collaboration across international teams; travel to Africa and San Francisco headquarters is required (up to 25%).

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws or company policy.

Voluntary self-identification may be requested for government reporting purposes. Completion is voluntary and information provided is recorded and maintained in a confidential file.