The Organization

Accountability Lab makes governance work for people. We are seeking a world in which resources are used wisely, decisions benefit everyone fairly, and people lead secure lives. The Lab supports active citizens, responsible leaders, and accountable institutions and is one of the leading eco-system-building organizations within the governance field. The Lab is a “translocal network” registered as a local non-profit organization in the US, South Africa, and in all the countries in which we work across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

The Team

While our organization is headquartered in Washington, DC, and Johannesburg our team is spread across the globe. We have local offices in Abuja, Bamako, Bukavu, Harare, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Mexico City, and Monrovia; and we work with partners in Belmopan, Colombo, and Hargeisa. We are all driven by shared values and the common goal of enabling people to use information and knowledge to hold those in power accountable and create lasting social change. We strive to reinvent the way that development organizations operate through radical transparency, creative awareness campaigns, cross-sector collaboration, and a culture of continual learning.

We seek to invest in our people as much as we possibly can – with an emphasis on personal growth, learning, and cross-country support. Recently, Accountability Lab moved to a three-person co-CEO model – read more about that transition and why we value shared leadership here. Through the translocal network, we also operate with a number of shared leadership structures across Accountability Labs. The Chief of Staff will work largely with one of the Co-CEOs- focusing on eco-system building- but will also support the work of the other two as needed, as described further below.

More about You

You have a deep interest in issues of governance, accountability, anti-corruption, and open government; you are keen to get first-hand experience working on these issues within specific contexts and globally; and you are excited to support partnership and advocacy efforts around these issues globally. You like nothing more than rolling up your sleeves and diving into challenges and having the intuition and creativity to problem-solve. You are extremely well organized and driven to achieve collective goals in an organization that is open to and excited about your input. You approach problems with flexibility, resourcefulness, and a positive attitude; and with an understanding that in a small but rapidly growing organization things can change rapidly.

You thrive in a fast-paced environment in which you can take direction but work independently, meet tight deadlines for research and writing, and are comfortable interacting with a variety of stakeholders. You see yourself as a sponge and jump at the opportunity to learn from and with your teammates. You are energized by a distributed environment and are excited to be surrounded by the diverse perspectives of our global team.

Success Factors

Accountability Lab prioritizes cultural fit above skills and knowledge- which we feel can be learned as team members grow into their roles. We are primarily looking for the right person- and someone who is willing to take on more responsibility as the organization evolves. We seek a demonstrable record of assuming professional responsibility and delivering on professional goals with integrity and humility.

Responsibilities:

The Chief of Staff will work directly for the Co-CEO of Accountability Lab that focuses on external partnerships, development and advocacy in support of eco-system building objectives. The Lab is growing into a leader within the governance space and 50% of the Chief of Staff’s time will be spent supporting the Co-CEO on field-building activities (networks, partnerships and advocacy). The remaining 50% of the Chief of Staff’s time will be split between the two other Co-CEOs- supporting organizational agility and programs (25%), and innovation and operations (25%).

Networks and Partnerships (30%)

• Support the maintenance of relationships with or on behalf of the Co-CEO at all levels- from local to international;
• Support the growth of the Lab’s translocal network through coordination and support for collaboration mechanisms with Country Directors of Labs around the world;
• Support the conceptualization, organization and delivery of events related to the Lab’s work.
• Provide research and writing support for fundraising efforts including proposal writing and reporting, and work with network Labs to grow their access to resources and ensure sustainability over time.

Advocacy (20%)

• Support the Lab’s international advocacy efforts including in relation to World Bank reform, G20 anti-corruption issues and work with the Open Government Partnership (OGP);
• Work with the Co-CEO and the Lab’s communications teams to design advocacy outputs, write speeches and improve outreach;
• Other advocacy tasks as required.

Agility and Programs (25%)

• Provide support to the programs team as required, including on the Hack Corruption workstream;
• Support knowledge-building and learning opportunities for Lab team members around the world.

Innovation and Operations (25%)

• Act as a resource for senior management as the Lab’s network grows and we develop new workstreams or partnerships globally;
• Provide support to operational issues as required, including support to internal governance mechanisms.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in international development or a related field;
• An advanced degree in International Development, Social Sciences, or a similar subject;
• Resourceful and able to work independently, organized, detail-oriented and committed to accuracy;
• Able to – or willing to learn how to – maintain online databases and with demonstrated Canva design skills;
• Excellent communication skills and problem-solving ability;
• Previous experience working in various contexts and with colleagues from different countries, especially in terms of creating relationships, building partnerships and supporting the delivery of outputs;
• French language skills are not required but are a significant plus.

Compensation and Logistics

$70,000 a year excluding benefits. This position will ideally be based in Washington, DC. Remote from New York is a possibility. We offer a very generous leave and personal development package with plenty of opportunities to learn and travel, access to incredible networks across the international development and social entrepreneurship communities, and a fun, multicultural work environment.

Applicants must have existing work authorization for the United States.

Application Instructions

If interested, please send a resume and cover letter to Jean Scrimgeour at info@accountabilitylab.org before 6pm EST on July 9th 2023. Qualified candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis and will be required to complete a written competency evaluation. The position will begin asap.