Legal Officer

Job Description

Job title: Legal Officer 

Service: Legal Services

Reporting to: Legal Services Manager

Salary: HKD 25,200 per month

Work pattern:  Full time, Monday–Friday, 9:30am–6:00pm. Part-time arrangements may be considered.

Duration: One year (with option to renew; performance and funding dependent)

Desired Start Date: Early Nov 2026

Asylum Services & Knowledge 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.  

Our engagement with the community aims to promote refugee participation in Hong Kong society. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive working environment, reflecting of the diverse communities we serve. For more information about ASK, please visit www.ask.org.hk. 

Purpose of position

We are seeking a Legal Officer to join our team supporting refugees and people seeking protection in Hong Kong.

This is an exciting role offering frontline legal casework as well as opportunities for partnership-building and development. It is particularly suited to someone who wants to develop strong practical legal skills in refugee law, while gaining broader experience in how a community based organisation builds partnerships, mobilises resources and creates systemic impact.

Working under the supervision of the Legal Services Manager, you will assist clients in navigating Hong Kong's Unified Screening Mechanism. You will conduct client interviews, investigate complex factual and legal issues, work with experts and pro bono lawyers, and contribute to the preparation of high-quality legal submissions.

The role offers substantial exposure to refugee law, strategic litigation, pro bono partnerships, and complex stakeholder management.

Key responsibilities

Legal casework

You will manage a caseload of matters, with appropriate supervision, and provide high-quality legal information and support to refugees and people seeking protection. Your work may include:

• Conducting client interviews and preparing detailed intake and case assessments;

• Supporting clients through the Unified Screening Mechanism and related legal aid and judicial review applications;

• Conducting legal research and detailed country-of-origin and factual research;

• Working with country experts, doctors, psychologists and other specialists to obtain evidence relevant to clients' claims;

• Drafting and contributing to witness statements, legal submissions, judicial review grounds and other legal documents;

• Identifying suitable work for pro bono lawyers, students, fellows and volunteers, and supervising and reviewing their written work;

• Providing constructive feedback and helping pro bono partners and junior team members develop their skills;

• Developing and delivering training and presentations for pro bono law firms, partner NGOs and other stakeholders; and

• Maintaining accurate and professional case records and coordinating the practical aspects of client representation, including appointments and interpreters.

Working across the organisation

As part of a small and collaborative team, you will:

• Build constructive relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, including government bodies, the legal profession, UNHCR, NGOs and community organisations;

• Contribute to organisational events, training programmes and other initiatives;

• Participate actively in team meetings and organisational planning; and

• Uphold the organisation's policies and its commitment to treating clients, colleagues and partners with dignity, respect and fairness.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who combines strong analytical and writing skills with sound judgement, initiative and a genuine interest in refugee protection and human rights.

Essential

• A university degree, preferably in law or a related discipline;

• Excellent written and spoken English;

• Strong research, analytical and writing skills;

• Ability to communicate sensitively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds;

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities;

• Careful attention to detail;

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small team;

• Sound professional judgement and a willingness to take responsibility for your work; and

• Commitment to the organisation's mission and to high-quality, client-centred legal services.

• Right to work in Hong Kong

Desirable

We particularly welcome candidates with one or more of the following:

• Experience in refugee, immigration, or human rights law;

• Experience interviewing or working directly with clients;

• Experience in legal research and drafting;

• Experience working with law firms or pro bono lawyers;

• Experience in fundraising, partnerships, communications or stakeholder engagement;

• Knowledge of Hong Kong's Unified Screening Mechanism or judicial review process; and/or;

• Fluency in Cantonese or a language commonly spoken by refugee and migrant communities in Hong Kong.

Benefits

• Access to in depth training and supervision from internationally qualified lawyers.

• Access to external professional development opportunities within the refugee response and forced displacement sector.

• Flexible working hours.

• Generous leave policy.

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, CV, Two writing samples (academic or professional; each over 500 words). and fill out the Application Form to jobs@ask.org.hk with the subject line ‘Legal Officer’. Deadline for applications is Monday 5th October 2026 and applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Intake Coordinator/Officer

Job Description

Job title: Intake Coordinator/Officer

Service: Direct Services

Reporting to: Director of Programmes

Salary: $14,098 – $24,225/month, commensurate with experience.

Work pattern:  Full time, Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 6pm (part time may be considered)

Duration: 1 year

Desired Start Date: Early Nov 2026

Asylum Services & Knowledge 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.  

Our engagement with the community aims to promote refugee participation in Hong Kong society. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive working environment, reflecting of the diverse communities we serve. For more information about ASK, please visit www.ask.org.hk. 

Purpose of position

The Intake Coordinator/Officer is the designated first point of contact for all prospective and returning clients, and their families and/or representatives. You work under the supervision of the Legal Services Manager and Director of Programmes to provide a responsive service to move clients through the registration and intake process to service delivery.

The position is responsible for the implementation of a coordinated and people-centred intake process that identifies client needs and facilitates prompt access to the full range of Asylum Services & Knowledge’s Direct Services, including Legal (USM), Legal (Detention), Welfare and Psychological. 

You will 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 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.

Depending on the successful candidate’s skills and experience, the role may be offered at either Coordinator or Officer level. Officer level candidates will be expected to exercise greater independence and judgement in conducting assessments, identifying needs and coordinating support.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Direct Services team to provide information and assistance to clients, as needed during the intake process.

• Assign, supervise, and review work related to coordination and intake by volunteers; and where no volunteers are available, to undertake such tasks. These include but are not limited to:

  • Responding to client enquiries through email, phone call, WhatsApp, drop-ins and any other forms of contact. 

  • Assessing clients’ needs and obtain accurate information and documentation to facilitate client intake, ensuring a responsive and people-centred approach to all client interactions.

  • Arranging internal and external appointments, including coordinating schedules, reserving office space, and confirming appointments with all attendees. 

  • Liaise with interpreters, attend to interpreter matters, and keep an up-to-date records of interpreter details. 

  • Input, upkeep and coordinate data collection, entry, verification, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring legal and file management systems are accurate and up to date.   

• Assist to determine clients’ eligibility for Asylum Services & Knowledge’s services and refer potential clients to alternative organisations, if required.

• Undertake other administrative and organisational tasks, such as taking minutes, scanning, filing, and document management.  

• Prepare, develop and deliver presentations and training to clients, partner organisations, pro bono lawyers, and others.

• Contribute to maintaining positive working relationships with internal staff and with HKSAR government, professional bodies, UNHCR, NGOs and other stakeholders.

• Keep up to date with legal and social welfare services available to clients, identify potential new services, and contribute to building the profile of Asylum Services & Knowledge.

• Work in partnership with our Community Outreach team to maximise impact of our work and increase the scope for our clients to effectively contribute to the delivery of our legal services.

• Attend all relevant staff meetings.

• Comply with Asylum Services & Knowledge’s policies and procedures, and treat everyone with respect, dignity and fairness.

• Perform other tasks as required for the support of the delivery of Direct Services, as requested by the Legal Services Manager and Director of Programmes. 

Requirements

Essential

• Holder of a university degree in law or law conversion (LLB, LLM, JD or GDL), social work, human services or other relevant degree (industry experience may be considered in-lieu of professional qualifications). 

• Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and across varying language barriers.

• Good knowledge of domestic and/or international laws, processes and policies relating to refugees, asylum seekers and other forced migrants, and their application in practice, including judicial review.

• Ability to respond proactively to clients’ needs while recognising when to seek assistance or refer for guidance.

• Demonstrable commitment to upholding the principle of equal opportunities, and interest in issues related to refugees, asylum seekers and other forced migrants.

• Fluency in verbal and written English, and ability to present complex information using simple and accessible language.

• Highly self-motivated, with demonstrable organisational skills, and ability to work independently and under pressure.

• Team-player with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Experience of mentoring students, volunteers and/or staff.

• Literacy in basic data entry, case management systems, Microsoft Office and Outlook.

• Legal right to work in Hong Kong.

Desirable

• Direct experience of forced displacement, or understanding of the challenges faced by refugees, asylum seekers and other forced migrants, including legal, mental health and social welfare issues.

• Professional experience of working with vulnerable and young people who may be traumatised or distressed.

• Experience of case-management or equivalent data gathering systems.

• Experience of NGO service delivery and/or working with community organisations.

• Ability to promote our work to a wide variety of external stakeholders, potential partners and community organisations.

• Fluency in Cantonese.

• Fluency in another language such as French, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Sinhala or Bengali would be a considerable asset.

Benefits

• Access to in depth training and supervision from internationally qualified lawyers.

• Access to external professional development opportunities within the refugee response and forced displacement sector.

• Flexible working hours.

• Generous leave policy.

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, CV, Two writing samples (academic or professional; each over 500 words). and fill out the Application Form to jobs@ask.org.hk with the subject line ‘Intake Coordinator/Officer’. Deadline for applications is Monday 5th October 2026 and applications will be considered 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.