[Remote] Africa Senior Legal Counsel

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Zipline is the world’s largest and most experienced drone delivery service, and they are seeking a senior, strategic lawyer to lead and scale legal and compliance efforts across Africa. This role involves designing and implementing legal programs, managing compliance with U.S. government award requirements, and advising on regulatory issues while supporting the company's growth in complex environments.ResponsibilitiesDesign, implement, scale, and continuously improve Zipline’s legal and compliance programs across Africa, with a focus on sustainable, practical operations that support rapid growthOwn 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)Lead day-to-day compliance workstreams covering sanctions, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, privacy, healthcare, employment, and product-related regulationsSupport internal investigations, audits, and risk assessments, partnering closely with People, Finance, and senior leadershipManage litigation and disputes across Zipline’s African marketTranslate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for business and technical teamsPartner with internal public affairs, policy, and operations teams to align legal, compliance, and government relations strategiesMonitor and assess regulatory and policy developments across relevant African jurisdictions and advise leadership on emerging risks and opportunitiesHelp shape Zipline’s long-term legal and regulatory strategy in Africa, balancing compliance rigor with innovation and speedAct as a senior legal advisor to business leaders, providing pragmatic, risk-calibrated guidanceBuild strong relationships across the company and help foster a durable 'culture of compliance' where teams understand the rules of the road and feel empowered to raise issues earlySupport commercial negotiation, contracting, and procurement processesSkillsJD requiredMember in good standing of at least one U.S. state or international barAt least 7–10 years of relevant legal experience, including experience at a reputable law firm and/or in-house (international, compliance, government contracting, or regulated-industry experience strongly preferred)A willingness to dive deep into unfamiliar issues and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-environmentsStrong judgment and the confidence to make independent decisions, coupled with the discernment to escalate when appropriateExperience advising on or engaging with government entities, regulators, or public-sector stakeholders, ideally in international or emerging-market contextsThe ability to break down complex legal and regulatory problems into clear priorities and practical solutionsExcellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to advise senior stakeholdersA collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset and strong organizational skillsWillingness to travel up to ~25% to Africa, San Francisco, and Washington, D.CCompany OverviewZipline was founded to create the first logistics system that serves all humans equally. It was founded in 2011, and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is https://www.zipline.com/.Company H1B SponsorshipZipline has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 9 in 2026, 54 in 2025, 39 in 2024, 29 in 2023, 20 in 2022, 16 in 2021, 3 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.