Compliance Advisor, US Defense Engagements - US-based (Part-time Contractor)

Zinc Network; United States; Remote; USD 83,000 - 138,000; Part time

Job summary

Zinc Network is seeking a Compliance Advisor for a remote, part-time contractor role focused on US government defense subcontracting compliance. You will ensure budgeting, invoicing, and workflows meet US defense requirements.

You will provide strategic advisory input rather than day-to-day delivery. Candidate should have substantial US federal contracting experience, knowledge of FAR/DFARS, and the ability to translate complex rules into practical guidance for a non-specialist audience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Significant experience in US federal contracting compliance.
• Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and DCAA/DCMA processes.
• Independent advisor on a part-time basis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Desirable: experience with US federal contracting newcomers.

Responsibilities

• Review subcontract terms and flow-down requirements for compliance.
• Advise on invoicing, budgeting, and reporting aligned with federal requirements.
• Identify compliance risks and recommend mitigations.
• Advise on labor category classification and timekeeping for federal contracts.
• Assist in responding to compliance requests from prime contractor or government customer.
• Escalate material compliance risks to Program Lead and leadership.
• Attend meetings with the prime contractor or government customer as needed.
• Uphold Zinc Network values.

Skills

US federal contracting compliance

Independent advisory role

Strong written and verbal comms

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

FAR/DFARS knowledge

DCAA/DCMA processes

Job description

Introducing Zinc Network

For over fifteen years, Zinc Network has been helping governments and businesses navigate the world's most complex challenges using communications, technology, and behavioural science. We work on some of the toughest briefs: protecting children online, strengthening democratic resilience, and championing purpose-driven technologies and organisations.

Working in partnership with a global network of media outlets, communities, and influencers, we help clients understand complex issues, design and deliver behavioural interventions, create compelling campaigns, activate trusted grassroots networks, and evaluate impact.

We're now building Kora - our AI-powered platform that systematises this expertise into scalable technology, enabling clients to work faster, more impactfully, and more cost-effectively.

We're looking for people who want to operate at the intersection of geopolitics, security, and technological disruption, and who are committed to building a safer, more secure world.

Outline of the job

The Compliance Advisor will support Zinc Network's delivery of a new US government defense subcontract by ensuring Zinc's budgeting, invoicing, and ways of working remain compliant with US defense and federal contracting requirements. You will help identify and mitigate compliance risk before it accumulates, covering both contractual and regulatory compliance (subcontract terms, flow-down clauses, and modifications) and operational compliance (invoicing, budget tracking, and reporting against federal requirements). Working closely with the Program Lead and Zinc's finance function, you will provide advisory input on an as-needed basis rather than day-to-day operational delivery, bringing US federal contracting expertise Zinc does not currently hold in-house.

This is a fully remote, part-time contractor role, engaged on a daily or hourly basis as required. Candidates must be based in the US.

What you'll be doing

• Review the subcontract and any subsequent modifications, advising Zinc on compliance obligations and flow-down requirements.
• Advise on invoicing, budget tracking, and financial reporting practices to ensure alignment with federal contracting and US defense requirements.
• Identify compliance risks arising from Zinc's ways of working as a US federal subcontractor, and recommend practical mitigations.
• Advise on labor category classification, timekeeping, and other federal contracting administrative requirements as they apply to Zinc's program workstreams.
• Support the Program Lead and finance function in preparing for and responding to compliance-related requests from the prime contractor or government customer (e.g. DCAA/DCMA-related correspondence).
• Escalate material compliance risks promptly to the Program Lead and Zinc leadership.
• Attend meetings with the prime contractor or government customer, as required, to provide specialist compliance advice.
• All while embodying the values of Zinc Network

What we need from you…

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Significant professional experience in US federal contracting compliance, ideally including subcontract administration, flow-down compliance, and/or federal invoicing and budget practices.
• Working knowledge of relevant FAR/DFARS requirements and DCAA/DCMA processes.
• Comfortable operating as an independent advisor on a part-time, as-needed basis, without close supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to translate compliance requirements into practical guidance for a non-specialist audience.
• Desirable: experience working with or advising organizations new to US federal contracting.

Area of Selection

We're committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to apply to join our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.

Conditions of Engagement

• Candidates who are offered an engagement will be required to:
• Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking-related activities) or workplace investigation.
• Undergo background checks relevant to the country of engagement, including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting.

Closing date: 6 October 2026