Are you a Hong Kong qualified lawyer? Do you have human rights law experience? Are you passionate about working with refugees? Are you motivated to train and inspire the next generation of lawyers about human rights?

We are currently advertising for an anticipated vacancy, with the position commencing in late July 2015.

Terms of Reference: Legal Officer

Purpose of position:

The Legal Officer (LO) is responsible for contributing to the work of Justice Centre Hong Kong’s (Justice Centre) protection claimant services (PCS) programme. The LO will provide direct services to protection claimants through Justice Centre’s group information, individual consultation, and individual assistance services, and lead Justice Centre’s clinical legal education programme.

Reporting relationships:

The LO reports to the Executive Director (ED) for matters related to university partnerships and organisational relationships, strategy, and human resource matters. The LO reports to the Protection Claimant Services Manager (PCSM) for matters related to Justice Centre’s protection claimant services programme, and to the Senior Legal Advisor in relation to protection claimant services work products.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee, coordinate and manage clinic student engagement with university partners as part of the overall Justice Centre protection claimant services programme;
• Act as primary contact and develop and maintain positive working relationships with universities and clinic students in relation to operational aspects of Justice Centre’s clinical programmes;
• Manage the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, evaluation, and alumni engagement of clinic students, including developing and managing outreach, teaching, assessment, and volunteer opportunities in consultation with university partners and Justice Centre staff;
• Provide direct protection claimant services including group information, individual consultation, and assessment for individual assistance services relating to claimants’ legal needs;
• Present as needed at protection claimant assistance trainings and contribute to other trainings;
• Contribute to Justice Centre’s file management and monitoring and evaluation system, including developing and maintaining files and a data collection and reporting system relating to work with universities and clinic students;
• Contribute to maintaining positive working relationships within the staff team and with HKSAR Government, professional bodies, UNHCR, NGOs, and other stakeholders;
• Contribute to developing organisational strategy, networking with strategic partners, fundraising, and whole-of-office initiatives as needed;
• Act as Officer in Charge in the PCSM and/or ED’s absence when assigned;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the PCSM and/or ED.

Essential:

• Qualified to practice law in Hong Kong with at least 2 PQE;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to mentor others;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• English fluency, written and verbal;
• A demonstrable passion and commitment to human rights.

Desirable:

• Experience in practicing refugee protection law in Hong Kong or elsewhere;
• Experience with running clinical legal education and/or experiential learning programmes;
• Experience in teaching and training;
• Familiarity of working with vulnerable people;
• Fluency in spoken and written Cantonese;
• A permit to work in Hong Kong.

Salary $HK 25,000 per month + benefits, including medical and dental insurance.

Please e-mail your statement of interest, writing sample and CV to info@justicecentre.org.hk by 5pm on Monday, 16th March 2015 with the subject line ‘PCSLO’.

Due to the high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted