Legal Officer

Purpose of position:

The Legal Officer works under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services and Senior Legal Advisor to ensure the highest standard of legal services are provided to our clients.

You will benefit from this opportunity to gain experience of client facing legal work under close supervision from our expert team of internationally qualified refugee lawyers, and alongside social welfare caseworkers and external mental health experts. You will have the chance to learn more about and from refugees in Hong Kong, and to contribute to rewarding work assisting vulnerable migrants including refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong.

Reporting relationships:

The LO is managed by and reports to the Head of Legal Services and/or Senior Legal Advisor.

Responsibilities:

• Provide support and assistance in the delivery of the Clinical Education programme where necessary;
• Participate in the design and delivery of legal team trainings, internal training of staff and other trainings;
• Manage a caseload of Individual Assistance Clients;
• Support the Legal Team in developing the substance and quality of Justice Centre’s legal programme, including group and individual legal information and assistance services provided by staff, pro bono partners, clinic students, fellows, and volunteers;
• Review written legal work prepared by staff, pro bono partners, clinic students, fellows and volunteers, provide detailed feedback and coach team members to continually improve the quality of work product;
• Contribute to developing legal resources for staff, pro bono partners, clinic students, fellows and volunteers, including templates, training materials and legal information;
• Contribute to building the profile of Justice Centre, including attending speaking engagements with stakeholders within the legal and donor community;
• Contribute to the support and development of relationships with pro bono partners;
• Contribute to direct delivery of legal services, including delivering legal information sessions and providing legal assistance to clients;
• Contribute to proposals and reports to Board and donors, including annual reports;
• Contribute to developing organisational strategy, networking with strategic partners, fundraising and whole-of-office initiatives;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of Legal Services and other members of the Senior Management Team.

Requirements:

• Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work compassionate and effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds (and who are often vulnerable including those with mental health issues), and across the language barrier;
• Law degree or law conversion: LL.B, JD, GDL.
• Excellent writing ability and communication skills.
• Demonstrable excellent organizational and communications skills.
• Ability to work independently whilst being a good team-player.
• Fluency in verbal and written English.
• Legal right to work in Hong Kong.

Desirable:

• An understanding of the challenges faced by those seeking protection in Hong Kong.
• Prior experience of relevant legal casework.
• Prior experience and/or training on matters relating to migration and the international and/or domestic legal frameworks.
• Prior experience of case-management or equivalent data gathering systems.
• Prior experience of direct NGO service delivery.
• Understanding and experience of mental health and social welfare matters, and particularly those faced by people seeking international protection.
• Experience working with vulnerable people in a professional setting.
• Fluency in Cantonese.
• Fluency in another language such as French, Arabic, Somali, Urdu, Hindi, Sinhala or Bangla would be a considerable asset.

This is a full-time role with a salary range of $20,00-$22,500/month, commensurate with experience.

This will include generous employee benefits including MPF, medical and dental insurance, flexible working (where appropriate and following mutual agreement with direct supervisor) and generous annual leave.