About the ASRC

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is both a place and a movement. We are an independent not for profit, whose programs support and empower people seeking asylum to maximise their own physical, mental and social wellbeing. As a movement, we mobilise and unite communities to create lasting social and policy change for people seeking asylum in Australia. We are proud to be owned and run by our community of volunteers and supporters.

The ASRC employs over 100 staff and depends on 1,000+ dedicated volunteers to carry out programs that support and empower 5,000 people seeking asylum each year.

About the Role

The Gender Clinic sits within the ASRC's Human Rights Law Program and is the only specialist legal service in Australia that provides legal advice and assistance to individuals seeking asylum, who may fear harm in their countries of origin on the basis of their gender, sexuality or experiences of family violence.

Casework volunteers work under the supervision of our staff Gender Lawyer to provide legal advice and assistance to our clients at all stages of the refugee status determination process, within a limited assistance model.

We provide an energetic and engaging workplace with ongoing training and development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Under supervision of a staff solicitor, work in a busy legal clinic to deliver high quality casework at all stages of the refugee determination process.
• Undertake casework on files as instructed, including preparing protection visa applications, statutory declarations, Freedom of Information requests, case summaries and chronologies, legal submissions.
• Complete paralegal tasks for clients such as drafting correspondence, taking accurate messages, booking in clients and completing Department of Immigration forms.
• Assist with overall file management, including maintaining neat files, writing comprehensive file notes and other administrative duties as necessary.
• Undertake legal research including country of origin information, human rights reports and relevant case law.

What we’re looking for

Essential:

• Only self-identifying female applicants will be considered for this role. This Clinic provides services to vulnerable women and is subject to an exemption under section 28 of the Equal Opportunity Act (2010) (Vic)
• Demonstrated experience in working in the legal sector
• Availability on Thursdays 10am-5pm, 12-month commitment
• Experience working directly with vulnerable clients in a legal setting.

Desirable:

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with a current Victorian practising certificate (or eligible to apply for a Victorian practising certificate

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work respectfully with people from different cultural backgrounds
• Computer literacy skills, including in Google and Microsoft systems and client databases

Commitment Required

We are looking for a commitment of one shift per week, ideally for 12 months. Shifts are currently only available on Thursdays from 10am–5pm.

A full position description is attached below.

Applications will be shortlisted as they are received so please apply as soon as possible.