Overview
This role is a senior, strategic, and highly adaptable legal position leading legal and compliance across multiple countries of operation in Africa. The position sits at the intersection of compliance execution and regulatory strategy and is critical to enabling organizational growth in complex and evolving regulatory environments.
You will independently lead all Africa Legal & Compliance operations and strategy while serving as an integral member of the broader international legal team. You will also be a key member of the Africa Leadership Team, partnering closely with the Heads of People and Finance and Country Directors, with a dotted reporting line to Africa’s CEO. Cross-functional work will include partnerships with Operations, Policy, Government Affairs, People, Finance, and Engineering, reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel.
This is a hands-on leadership role with autonomy to build and shape the legal function, supported by collaboration with a larger global legal team.
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, scale, and continuously improve legal and compliance programs across Africa, with a focus 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 organizational 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
- Act as a senior legal advisor to business leaders, providing pragmatic, risk-calibrated guidance
- Build relationships across the organization and help foster a culture of compliance where teams understand requirements and feel empowered to raise issues early
- Help shape long-term legal and regulatory strategy in Africa, balancing compliance rigor with innovation and speed
Requirements
- Willingness to dive deep into unfamiliar issues and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
- Strong judgment and the 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
- Ability to travel up to 25% to Africa and San Francisco headquarters
Compensation & Benefits
- Equal opportunity employer. Discrimination and harassment are prohibited on any protected basis under applicable law.
Location
- Africa with travel up to 25% to Africa and San Francisco headquarters