Monday, March 5, 2012

Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre Legal Advisor Position

Hong Kong Refugee Advice Centre (HKRAC)
Vacancy: Refugee Legal Adviser (Law Firm Partnerships)

HKRAC’s Vision, Mission and Values
Our vision: HKRAC strives to ensure that all refugees in Hong Kong have access to high-quality legal aid, fair refugee status determination procedures, and human rights so that they can begin to rebuild their lives.
Our mission: To provide high-quality, pro bono legal advice to refugees in Hong Kong, protect their rights, and generate awareness.
Our values:
  • To put the interests of refugees first, and at the core of all our endeavours.
  • To maintain professional and ethical excellence.
  • To be fearless, competent, collaborative and diligent in representing the interests of refugees.
  • To raise awareness about refugee rights and promote a pro bono and volunteer culture within the Hong Kong Community.
Purpose of Position:
HKRAC is proud to partner with six of Hong Kong’s international law firms. Law firm partners provide financial support and pro bono hours to help with legal research and casework. The Refugee Legal Adviser (Law Firm Partnerships) (RLA) will relate at an operational level and oversee the casework of HKRAC’s law firm partners.

Period of Employment:
The RLA is a new position and will be employed on a 12 month contract with a 3 month probationary period.

Reporting relationships:
The RLA is managed by the Executive Director for tasks related to relationships and partnerships with law firms and human resource matters. The RLA is supervised by the Legal Director for all technical matters related to casework and client contact.

Responsibilities:
The RLA will work with pro bono attorneys from law firm partners in all aspects of case management including: client representation and advice, allocating and reviewing casework, training, referrals, and advocacy. RLA will also assist in recruitment, training and supervision of clinic students and volunteer caseworkers. Responsibilities of the position include:

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with focal points within partner law firms
  • Work with Executive Director and Development Officer in securing partnership agreements with additional law firms
  • Develop and manage annual continuing education seminar series to be held at partner law firms every 2 months
  • Develop materials for and participate in annual review meetings with law firm partners
  • Contribute to HKRAC’s monitoring and evaluation system, and develop and maintain system of collecting data relating to our work with law firms
  • Recruit, train, and supervise volunteer caseworkers and interns under the supervision of the Legal Director, including assistance in supervising clinic students
  • Review written submissions at all stages of the casework cycle including registration, intake, assessment, and full representation under the direct supervision of the Legal Director
  • Coordination of client intakes, orientation of intake volunteers and oversight of intake volunteers along with the Legal Director
  • Regular evaluation of clinic students, volunteer caseworkers, and interns under the direction of the Legal Director and the Staff Attorney (Clinical Programmes)
  • Provision of full representation and management of a caseload assigned in consultation with the Legal Director
  • Assist or lead coordination of HKRAC Legal Aid Trainings three times a year, including participation by speaking on at least one core session
  • Assist in fundraising, networking with strategic partners, and developing organisational strategy when appropriate
  • Perform other duties as assigned and agreed in consultation with the Executive Director and Legal Director
Minimum qualifications:
  • Qualified lawyer in any jurisdiction;
  • Experience in refugee or human rights law;
  • Experience in a corporate legal environment;
  • Experience in managing and supervising staff, volunteers or pro bono work;
  • Excellent legal research and drafting skills;
  • A demonstrated commitment and sensitivity toward vulnerable and/or displaced people;
  • Fluent in both spoken and written English
To apply, send your statement of interest, CV and writing sample by 14 March 2012 to: info@hkrac.org with the subject line 'Refugee Legal Adviser'.

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