Welfare Volunteer

Job Description

Job title: Welfare Volunteer 

Service: Welfare Team 

Reporting to: Welfare Officer / Welfare Coordinator 

Salary: Voluntary 

Work pattern: A minimum commitment of 2 days/week in the office  (Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 6pm, flexible working options may be considered.)  

Duration: 6 months, with the opportunity to extend 

Justice Centre is a non-profit organisation that delivers legal and social services to refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced people in Hong Kong SAR. We work to support the vision of Hong Kong SAR as a welcoming and inclusive society. 

We provide free specialist legal help to people experiencing forced displacement, while offering tailored welfare and psychosocial support to those affected by trauma and destitution. Through strategic casework, research, training and technical assistance and community initiatives, we work to ensure that even the most marginalised members of Hong Kong society have equitable access to essential services and a voice in our society. To learn more about Justice Centre and our mission, please visit our website at www.justicecentre.org.hk. 

Purpose of position

Are you looking for a meaningful way to support people directly and make a tangible impact in their lives? Join Justice Centre Hong Kong’s Welfare Team as a volunteer and help us provide essential support to individuals and families who were forced to leave their homes and find safety in Hong Kong.  

You will work closely with our Welfare Officer, assisting with the day-to-day work that allows us to support people facing complex challenges—whether that’s securing housing, accessing healthcare or getting the mental health support they need to heal. 

This is a hands-on role, where your time and care will directly help people feel seen, supported and safe. 

Responsibilities

As a Welfare Volunteer, your support will help ensure that our services run smoothly and that clients can access timely and effective assistance. Tasks will include: 

• Scheduling and coordination – Organise client appointments for welfare meetings and counselling sessions, helping the team manage a busy and sensitive caseload. 

• Responding to enquiries – Answer phone calls, WhatsApp messages and emails, and refer messages or requests to the Welfare Officer or relevant colleagues. 

• Supporting casework – Assist the Welfare Officer with selected client cases, including helping to follow up on appointments, referrals and documentation. 

• Data entry and admin – Maintain up-to-date records in our case management system to ensure that information is accurate and services can be delivered efficiently. 

• General team support – Take on other small but meaningful tasks that help us deliver comprehensive care to our clients. 

Requirements

We’re looking for someone who: 

• Has strong organisational skills and is able to manage multiple tasks, keep track of appointments and follow-ups, and maintain clear, accurate records. 

• Is empathetic, comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds. 

• Is a good communicator (English required; Cantonese or other languages a bonus) 

• Is confident using email, basic databases, Microsoft Office and Outlook, and WhatsApp. 

• Can commit to at least 2 days per week.  We can offer flexible work hours (e.g. school hours) for people with additional availability.

• Has the legal right to work/volunteer in Hong Kong.

No specialist experience is necessary – just a willingness to learn, show up, and be present for people who are navigating difficult times. 

Benefits

• Real-world experience working directly with people affected by displacement and trauma. 

• On-the-job training in trauma-informed practices, referral systems, case management and frontline welfare support. 

• Hands-on learning about the asylum system, social service navigation and the barriers faced by refugees in Hong Kong. 

• The opportunity to develop valuable skills in communication, client interaction, and cross-cultural sensitivity. 

• The chance to work alongside a passionate, supportive team. 

• A real sense of purpose, knowing your time and effort is helping people move forward with stability and dignity. 

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a police background check.

Please complete an Application Form and email it to jobs@ask.org.hk with the subject line ‘Welfare Volunteer’. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Interpreters (Consultants)

Service: Direct Services

Salary: $280/hour

Work pattern: Availability as-needed weekdays between 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, out of office hours may be required

Duration: A minimum of 3 months’ commitment preferred

Justice Centre is a non-profit organisation that provides legal and social services to refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced people in Hong Kong SAR. We work to support the vision of Hong Kong SAR as a welcoming and inclusive society.

We provide free specialist legal help to people experiencing forced displacement, while offering tailored welfare and psychosocial support to those affected by trauma and destitution. Through strategic casework, research, training and technical assistance and community initiatives, we work to ensure that even the most marginalised members of Hong Kong society have equitable access to essential services and a voice in our society.

At Justice Centre Hong Kong, we strive to foster community engagement and promote the active participation of refugees in Hong Kong society. Our commitment extends to creating a safe and inclusive working environment that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates with personal experiences of forced migration, individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTQ+, and individuals with disabilities and neuro-diversity to apply. To learn more about Justice Centre and our mission, please visit our website at www.justicecentre.org.hk.

Purpose of position

We require interpreters who are fluent in English and selected languages to assist with our work with protection claimants. Most interpreters are paid an hourly rate; some interpreters generously donate their time as volunteers. Interpreters’ responsibility includes providing interpretation assistance during meetings with clients, and translating correspondence and documents.

Work Arrangements

• Interpretation assistance is booked on an “as-needed’ basis. Our interpretation needs can vary widely and there is no guaranteed minimum number of hours.

• Interpretation services usually take place on weekdays between 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, out-of-office hours may be required depending on the nature of the appointment

• We prefer in-person interpretation, but are able to facilitate remote interpretation where needed. Our usual channels for booking appointments and remote interoperate are WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams.

JCHK Language Needs

Justice Centre is in need of interpreters for the following languages:

Desirable

• Mandingo

• Amharic

• Kinyarwanda

• Luganda

• Malayalam

• Russian

• Somali

• Wolof

• French

• Arabic

Requirements

Essential

• Oral and written proficiency in both English and the language of interpretation. Proficiency can be demonstrated by being a native speaker, completing or attending a university degree that is being taught in that language, achieving at least C1 (Advanced) Proficiency in English the Common European Framework of Reference[1] or equivalent in other languages.  

• Sensitivity towards working with asylum seekers and survivors of torture and trauma.

• Ability to interpret in an impartial manner.

• Ability to maintain all interpretations confidential, and maintain high levels of professionalism in the provision of services.

• Proof of immigration or resident status in Hong Kong (or where interpreting online) relevant country/territory of residence, which permits engaging in paid work outside of any sponsoring employer/institution. (Note: Justice Centre is unable to sponsor work visas.)

Desirable

• Professional certification in interpretation or translation

• University degree in language, translation, interpretation and other related fields, or other relevant formal training or certification

• Demonstrable understanding of forced migrants and asylum issues, especially in the Hong Kong context

• Experience working with people in distressing or vulnerable situations

• Experience working in legal, welfare, medical or community setting, either taking the role of an interpreter, translator or in other professional capacity

If you are interested in assisting us with interpretation, possess language skills but have little or no prior experience, we are still interested in hearing from you. We may be able to provide training.

Benefits

• An hourly rate of HK$280;

• Access to in-house training where available; and

• Flexible working arrangements.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a police background check.

Please e-mail your statement of interest and CV to jobs@justicecentre.org.hk with the subject line ‘Interpreter’. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

[1] See here the requisite test scores: https://www.efset.org/cefr/c1/.

To apply please email your CV and statement of interest to jobs@ask.org.hk with the name of the position you are applying for in the subject line.

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.