Volunteer Legal Advisor At Asylum Seekers Information Services Team

The Organisation

A.Ss.I.S.T. is a non-profit civil association registered with the First Instance Administrative Court of Chios. Our Charter permits us to operate anywhere in Greece. The services exist to provide access to information and legal aid for seekers and beneficiaries of international protection on Chios Island and elsewhere in Greece. Since the COVID19 pandemic began in early 2020, A.Ss.I.S.T. has been delivering our services remotely and is now establishing a presence in Athens to extend our services to as many people as our resources permit.

The Function

A.Ss.I.S.T. Volunteer Legal Advisors (VLAs) have the opportunity to directly assist displaced persons by taking individual cases and collaborating in the review and delivery of legal information to asylum seekers.

The key role of the Volunteer Legal Advisors is to prepare Asylum Seekers for interview(s) critical to the international protection application process.

Responding to information requests and leading regular information sessions of the process is also an important role of A.Ss.I.S.T. Volunteer Legal Advisors.

All VLAs receive induction, orientation and training of at least one month in Chios. Upon completion of training, VLAs may be based in Chios or in Athens.

Information sessions and Individual appointments will be made through the office in Chios. VLAs are then assigned to conduct sessions, in-depth interviews and meet individual clients with specific legal questions. Scheduling of sessions and appointments is the responsibility of the Office & Client Services Manager in cooperation with Team members based in Athens.

While the Volunteer Legal Advisors will lead Information Sessions, interview preparation and may also provide legal advice to individual clients, the Greek associate lawyers will be available to provide guidance, discuss cases and to interview and attend interviews with clients that may need this additional legal support.

While for record-keeping and reporting purposes, all cases remain A.Ss.I.S.T. cases, the VLA agrees to establish a Lawyer-Client relationship with the client and assume primary responsibility for interview preparation of the clients.

VLAs also agree to keep the Greek associate lawyers apprised of key developments, assist by transmitting A.Ss.I.S.T. required administrative documents and provide file closure documents.

All volunteers will liaise and cooperate with other social and well-being services available to asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection. Collaboration is important to A.Ss.I.S.T. and essential for providing optimal service access to our clients. All A.Ss.I.S.T. volunteers are supported by a resident representative/Board Member and other Team members.

Qualification

• At least two years of relevant experience practising law preferably some experience in Migration and Refugee Law, International Law and/or Human Rights Law.
• Previous volunteer experience and expertise in the following languages: Greek, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, French, Kurdish (Sorani and Kurmanji) and Tigrinya, are highly regarded.
• Fluent English is required.
• Shares values of A.Ss.I.S.T. and possesses a ‘can do’ attitude.
• Strong initiative and experience of working effectively in a cross-cultural environment.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workloads and meet deadlines.
• Proactive critical thinking, and responsible decision-making and problem-solving.
• Willing to commit for a minimum period of three months: (6) months preferred.