Principal Counsel, Africa Legal

Zipline•New York, NY

About The Position

Zipline is seeking a senior, strategic, and highly adaptable lawyer to lead and scale legal and compliance across multiple countries of operation in Africa. This role sits at the intersection of compliance execution and regulatory strategy and is critical to enabling Zipline's continued 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 Zipline International's high-impact Legal Team. You will also be a key member of the Zipline Africa Leadership Team, with the Heads of People and Finance and our Country Directors, and with a dotted reporting line to Zipline Africa's CEO. You will work cross-functionally with the Africa Leadership Team, Operations, Policy, Government Affairs, People, Finance, and Engineering, and will report directly to Zipline’s Deputy General Counsel. This is a hands-on leadership role that offers the rare opportunity to build and shape the Legal function with significant autonomy, while benefiting from the collaboration and support of a larger global legal team. One day you may be advising on a complex Nigerian employment or a healthcare regulatory issue in Cote d’Ivoire; the next, developing compliance training for teams across Africa or helping the business navigate export controls, sanctions, anti-corruption, and other cross-border legal risks.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

Design, implement, scale, and continuously improve Zipline’s 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, partnering closely with People, Finance, and senior leadership
Manage litigation and disputes across Zipline’s 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
Act as a senior legal advisor to business leaders, providing pragmatic, risk-calibrated guidance
Build 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 early
Help shape Zipline’s long-term legal and regulatory strategy in Africa, balancing compliance rigor with innovation and speed