Purpose of position
The Legal Services Volunteer is a position for those with legal experience and for those with a passion for supporting refugee, asylum seekers and other forced migrants in Hong Kong. It is a structured position for a minimum of 6-months with detailed training and supervision provided. 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.
The Legal Services Volunteer will be engaged in direct legal casework to our clients whilst under the supervision of a member of Justice Centre’s experienced legal team.
Duration of position
Minimum 6-months
Responsibilities
- Support in reviewing and actioning all incoming communications to the Legal Services team (WhatsApp, telephone, mail, fax, email, etc.);
- Support in responding to any client enquiries (often highly vulnerable people), and also that of other visitors, agencies, etc. in a professional, sensitive and respectful manner;
- Contribute to Justice Centre’s legal and file management systems as well as to monitoring and evaluation systems in terms of collection, verification, database entry, and filing of client data;
- Support in the coordination and assistance of client and stakeholder events;
- Contribute to developing and maintaining positive working relationships with NGOs, protection claimant communities and other stakeholders in relation to Justice Centre’s activities;
- Conduct interviews with claimants, conduct legal and factual (including country of origin) research, and write interview and research-based reports;
- Contribute to developing our internal library of legal information and processes;
- Support in the development and delivery of training;
- Support with community outreach initiatives;
- To attend all relevant staff meetings; and
- Other tasks as required for the support of the delivery of Justice Centre’s Legal Services, as requested by the Legal Services Manager.
Essential
- Law graduate (LLB, LLM, JD, GDL or equivalent);
- Ability to work independently and to mentor others;
- Excellent organisational, communication and presentation skills;
- Able to display cordiality and diplomacy;
- Willingness to learn and develop new skills;
- Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and across varying language barriers;
- Ability to work independently whilst being a team player;
- Fluency in verbal and written English;
- A passion and commitment to providing legal information and support to refugees, asylum seekers and other forced migrants in Hong Kong; and
- Legal right to work / volunteer in Hong Kong.
Desirable
- Literacy in Excel, basic data entry, Outlook and Clio;
- Experience in refugee and / or international law;
- Knowledge of the Hong Kong legal system;
- Fluency in Cantonese;
- Fluency in another language such as Arabic, Bengali, French, Sinhala, Somali, or Urdu, or would be a considerable asset; and
- Experience working with vulnerable people in a professional setting.
This is a full-time volunteer position for a minimum commitment of 6-months to join our Legal Services team. Part-time and flexible arrangements can be negotiated. A daily stipend will be provided to volunteers attending our office.
Applications will be screened on a rolling basis.
Please email the completed Justice Centre Hong Kong – Legal Services Volunteer – Application Form to jobs@justicecentre.org.hk with the subject line “Legal Services Volunteer – Application”.
Unfortunately, due to the high level of interest in our organisation, we are only able to reply to shortlisted applicants. The information requested will be used only for the purpose of assessing your suitability for the role advertised.
