Organization’s profile

We seek to reimagine how to build accountability.

Our vision is a world in which citizens are active, leaders are responsible and institutions are accountable. It is a world in which resources are used wisely, decisions benefit everyone fairly, and people lead secure lives. Our mission is therefore to make governance work for people through supporting active citizens, responsible leaders and accountable institutions.

Accountability Lab began over a decade ago as an effort to support local change-makers to develop creative ideas around governance issues. We have grown into a global translocal network of twelve Labs that are building an eco-system for accountability around the world. Externally, this means convening and supporting others within the accountability space to push towards collective goals. Internally, this means actively coaching, mentoring and developing the next generation of accountability thinkers and practitioners. We focus on:

●      Positivity not Negativity –  “naming and faming” lifting people up and supporting solutions wherever we can..

●      Individuals then Organizations –  we connect accountability agents in ways that allow them to build coalitions for change within organizations.

●      Unlikely Networks not just Usual Suspects –  we build “unlikely networks” among civil society, government officials, musicians, creatives, technologists, film-makers and others in order to open up accountability work and generate greater engagement around core issues.

●      Ecosystem-building – we create space for others, collaborate in meaningful ways, crowd in people and ideas.

●      Partnerships – we link our efforts to those that are working at different points in accountability systems to amplify change.

●     Long-term – we build trust in communities and deep networks that can provide the basis for sustained engagement over time.

Organization’s experience

Over the past 13 years, the Lab has been deeply engaged in advancing accountability, governance, and anti-corruption initiatives that directly intersect with the UNCAC Coalition’s strategic focus areas. As an active participant in Coalition activities for over five years, we have consistently contributed inputs that reflect grassroots experiences and policy insights from our work across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Our sustained engagement includes participation as civil society representatives at Conferences of the States Parties (CoSP), where we have liaised closely with government delegations, bringing the voices and concerns of communities most impacted by corruption to the forefront.

Our work aligns closely with the Coalition’s future priorities, particularly in the following areas:

• Anti-Corruption and Human Rights: We emphasize the interlinkages between corruption and human rights violations, advocating for protective mechanisms that center communities and whistleblowers. This directly supports the Coalition’s increasing emphasis on ensuring that anti-corruption efforts uphold human rights standards.
  
• Public Procurement and Beneficial Ownership Transparency: Our advocacy has long focused on strengthening public procurement systems and promoting beneficial ownership transparency, key components of the UNCAC Coalition’s push for greater transparency and accountability in financial and corporate structures.
  
• Climate Accountability: Recognizing the intersection of climate justice and corruption, we have advanced initiatives that ensure climate finance is transparent and accessible, aligning with the Coalition’s emerging focus on climate-related corruption as a future advocacy frontier.
  
• Movement and Network Building: Through the incubation and support of multiple social accountability and transparency initiatives, we have contributed to strengthening civil society capacity and coalition building—core to the UNCAC Coalition’s vision for inclusive, global anti-corruption advocacy.

Top 3 priorities to achieve as a CCC Member

1. Defending Civic Space and Reinforcing Civil Society Coalitions
Accountability Lab will prioritize collective and strategic efforts to defend civic space and empower civil society, especially in the face of growing threats to anti-corruption work globally. We will continue to build and strengthen local, regional, and global coalitions that reinforce the legitimacy and impact of civil society actors, ensuring they remain central to UNCAC implementation and oversight.

2. Enhancing Accessibility and Engagement with UNCAC Processes
We will work to demystify and amplify UNCAC-related processes, tools, and communications through storytelling, localized content, and inclusive platforms. By making information accessible and relatable, especially to young people and grassroots actors, we aim to broaden engagement, build capacity, and help grow a more diverse and representative anti-corruption network.

3. Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration Aligned with the UNCAC Agenda
Recognizing the evolving development landscape, we will seek innovative partnerships across sectors—including climate, technology, education, and media—that intersect with anti-corruption efforts. This will help embed transparency and accountability across new domains while expanding the reach and relevance of UNCAC-related advocacy.

Candidate’s profile

Jean Scrimgeour is the Co-CEO and Chief Innovation and Operations Officer at Accountability Lab. With 15 years experience in democratic governance and public affairs, she has worked across the United States, United Kingdom, and Southern Africa, including roles with Rotary, the UK Foreign Office, the Westminster Foundation, and Voluntary Services Overseas.

At Accountability Lab, Jean has been instrumental in leading the organization’s growth and operational strategies, emphasizing the importance of a translocal network approach to accountability. Her leadership has been pivotal in navigating the complexities of the nonprofit sector, fostering innovation, and ensuring that the organization’s values are reflected in its operations. Jean holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies from King’s College London, earned as a British Chevening Scholar, and a Bachelor’s degree in Law and International Relations from the University of Cape Town.

Contributions to the work of the Coalition

Jean Scrimgeour brings extensive experience in organizational growth and development, localization, and grassroots accountability through her leadership at Accountability Lab. She champions bottom-up, locally led anti-corruption approaches and has written widely on unfunded accountability, shifting power, and integrity-building. Jean’s work aligns closely with the UNCAC Coalition’s goals, offering practical insights from global south contexts and a strong focus on inclusive reform. As a board member, she would advocate for local voices, organizational growth and development, promote innovative accountability solutions, and contribute to building more equitable, context-driven anti-corruption strategies grounded in real-world experience and evidence-based practice.

Candidacy & Interest Disclosure