Welfare Caseworker/Officer
Job Description
Job title: Welfare Caseworker/Officer
Service: Social Welfare Team
Reporting to: Head of Programmes
Salary: $14,098 – $24,450/month, commensurate with experience.
Work pattern: Full time, Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 6pm (part time may be considered)
Duration: 1 year
Asylum Services & Knowledge (ASK) 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 ASK, 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 ASK and our mission, please visit our website at www.ask.org.hk.
Purpose of position
The Welfare Caseworker/Officer works under the supervision of the Head of Programmes to facilitate access to social welfare, mental health and other support for people seeking asylum (non-refoulement protection), to enable them to live with agency and dignity and meaningfully participate in legal proceedings in Hong Kong.
You will work closely with our professional team of refugee lawyers, social welfare caseworkers and mental health practitioners. You will have the chance to learn more about and from refugees, and to contribute to rewarding work assisting migrants in vulnerable situations including refugees and asylum seekers in Hong Kong.
Responsibilities
Handle a caseload of welfare and related legal matters, including with respect to shelter and housing, healthcare, education, financial agency and livelihoods (for substantiated claimants);
Assess the social welfare needs of ASK clients and formulate individualised action plans accordingly;
Work closely with our Senior Psychosocial Advisor to assist with intake and coordination of psychosocial services;
Manage applications for ASK’s Emergency Welfare Fund;
Make referrals to external agencies, and liaise and advocate for access to welfare provisions;
Prepare submissions, applications and other supporting documents to facilitate access to welfare provisions;
Take part in regular multidisciplinary case conferences, both internally with ASK’s Direct Services staff and externally with relevant partners;
Input, upkeep and coordinate data collection, entry, verification, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring case management systems are accurate and up to date;
Develop and deliver presentations and training to clients, partner organisations, pro bono lawyers, and others;
Establish and maintain referral mechanisms and positive relationships with external welfare providers;
Contribute to maintaining positive working relationships 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 ASK;
Attend all relevant staff meetings;
Comply with ASK’s policies and procedures, and treat everyone with respect, dignity and fairness; and
Perform other tasks as required for the support of the delivery of Welfare Services, as requested by the Head of Programmes.
Requirements
Essential
Registered social worker or 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).
Experience working with vulnerable populations or clients in crisis situations and helping them to solve their problems.
Multicultural sensitivity and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and across varying language barriers.
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.
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.
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, Somali, 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 complete an Application Form and email it to jobs@ask.org.hk with the subject line ‘Welfare Caseworker/Officer’ on or before 9 Oct 2026. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
