LEGAL OFFICER (CLINICS)

Purpose of position:

The Legal Officer (Clinics) works under the supervision of the Head of Legal Services 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 disadvantaged migrants including refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong.

Reporting relationships:

The LO (Clinics) is managed by and reports to the Head of Legal Services.

Responsibilities:

• Lead on the delivery of Justice Centre’s Clinical Education Programme, including designing and delivering seminars and supervising university and high school students;
• Ensure the effective administration, organization/scheduling and marketing of both the Clinical Legal Education and Young Advocates Programmes;
• Support the Executive Director and Head of Partnerships and Development in developing and maintaining positive working relationships with stakeholders in relation to Justice Centre’s Clinical Legal Education Programme;
• Lead on the design and delivery of legal and other related to the delivery of clinical legal education;
• Manage a caseload of Individual Assistance Clients and provide appropriate and high quality legal support to refugees and asylum seekers undergoing the Unified Screening Mechanism and related legal aid and judicial review applications;
• Assist in providing better access to our legal services such as through outreach or information sessions for the community;
• Supervise and 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 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; and
• 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: LLB, 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; and
• 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; and
• Fluency in another language such as French, Arabic, Somali, Urdu, Hindi, Sinhala or Bengali would be a considerable asset.

This is a part-time, preferably four-days-a-week role with a competitive salary range, commensurate with experience. This is complemented by generous employee benefits including MPF, medical and dental insurance, flexible working (where appropriate and following mutual agreement with direct supervisor) and generous annual leave.