LEGAL ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER

This is a full time volunteer position for those with a passion for refugee and human rights law and available on weekdays. Volunteers will develop legal and practical expertise and provide a valuable contribution to the Legal Services of Justice Centre Hong Kong, and to our clients.

Duration of position:

Legal Assistant Volunteers will become involved in tasks in connection with legal casework; provide file management; and act as the first point of contact for the organization in-person, on the phone, and via email. You would therefore play a critical role in client and external relations.

It is a structured placement for a minimum of 6 months with detailed training and supervision provided. Ideally it is a full time position from Monday to Friday but part time and more flexible arrangements will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and actioning all incoming communications to the Legal team (post, fax, telephone, email etc.);
• Respond promptly to any client enquiries (often highly vulnerable people), and also that of other visitors, agencies etc. in a professional, sensitive and respectful manner;
• Confirm and arrange appointments with clients and interpreters, and make appointment reminders as needed;
• Training and supervision of any volunteers as appropriate;
• Co-ordinate and assist with client and stakeholder events including managing materials, guest lists, venues, catering, and post-event evaluations;
• Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with NGOs, protection claimant communities, and other stakeholders in relation to Justice Centre’s activities;
• Contributing to developing organisational strategy, networking with strategic partners, fundraising and development, and whole-of-office initiatives as needed;
• Contributing to maintaining positive working relationships with the staff team and with HKSAR government, professional bodies, UNHCR, NGOs, and other stakeholders;
• Assist with office space reservations;
• Ensure the organisation and tidiness of office – including coordination with reception area;
• Co-ordinate and upkeep of Clio data collection and end of month statistical reporting for Legal Services;
• Liaise with interpreters, attend to interpreter matters, and keep an up-to-date record of interpreter details;
• Contribute to Justice Centre’s legal and file management systems as well as monitoring and evaluation systems in terms of collection, verification, database entry, and filing of client data;
• Assist with the coordination of intake and referrals for new and existing clients;
• Such other tasks as required for the support of the delivery of JCHK’s Legal Services, as requested by the Head of Legal Services;
• Maintaining the accuracy of client data and records on Clio; and
• To attend all relevant staff meetings.

Essential

• Demonstrable excellent organizational and communications skills;
• Cordiality and diplomacy;
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills;
• Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds and across varying language barriers;
• Ability to work independently whilst being a good team-player;
• Demonstrated literacy in Excel, basic data entry and Outlook;
• Fluency in verbal and written English; and
• Legal right to work/volunteer in Hong Kong and availability on weekdays.

Desirable

• Fluency in Cantonese.
• Fluency in another language such as French, Arabic, Somali, Urdu, Sinhala or Bangla would be a considerable asset.
• Experience working with vulnerable people in a professional setting.
• An opportunity to gain experience of client facing legal work under close supervision and with detailed training from our expert team of refugee lawyers; the chance to learn more about refugees in Hong Kong, and to contribute to rewarding human rights work.