As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Head of Legal, Safeguarding, & Risk will provide strategic direction and oversight across legal, regulatory, compliance, safeguarding and operational risk matters for HKSPC. 

The role holder will lead the development and continuous improvement of robust frameworks to protect children within the organization and thought leadership in Hong Kong, uphold the organisation's integrity and ensure compliance with Hong Kong legislation and best practice.  This includes overseeing the reporting of serious incidents, leading internal investigations, directing dispute resolution and crisis response, providing strategic advice on international child safeguarding regulations, governance, risk and legal compliance.

Key Responsibilities：

• Lead and direct HKSPC’s legal strategy, identifying and mitigating legal risks across operations, programmes and partnerships, and oversee HKSPC’s compliance functions.
• Develop, implement and review HKSPC’s internal policies ensuring they are aligned with Hong Kong legal requirements, regulations, regulatory guidelines, and international standards.
• Mitigate organisational risks (including child safeguarding risks), oversee governance requirements, and the reporting of concerns or incidents to relevant authorities, in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic oversight of all safeguarding case management, and drive continuous improvement in policy and practice.
• Advise on issues arising under HKSPC’s own internal framework. Deliver solution-oriented legal advice to HKSPC teams, enabling them to operate safely and effectively.
• Lead internal investigations with procedural fairness and confidentiality, ensuring findings inform learning and accountability.
• Provide strategic direction during disputes and crises and coordinate legal communications and responses to safeguard HKSPC’s people, reputation and mission.
• Act as a trusted, senior-level contact for whistleblowing disclosures, managing initial assessments and investigations. Foster a culture of transparency, integrity and psychological safety.
• Select, instruct and oversee external legal counsel, managing legal budgets and ensuring cost-effective, high-quality representation.

Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in Hong Kong with a current practising certificate, and at least 7 years+ PQE.
• Significant experience and knowledge within a charity or non-profit organisation, with a focus on education, child protection, social welfare and community services. Experience with child safeguarding standards, litigation and disputes and internal investigations.
• Ability to partner with functions, teams and stakeholders to understand their priorities and to develop practical and legally sound solutions.
• High integrity and sound judgment in handling confidential matters. Skilled at applying technical expertise to solving problems in a practical way.
• Strong time management skills and ability to work efficiently. Attention to detail. Experience with project management with ability to prioritise critical issues.
• Proven ability to communicate technical and complex information and ideas to different audiences. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with people at all levels and across different cultures and act with credibility and diplomacy.
• Commitment to child safety and wellbeing. Respect for diversity and inclusion.
• Preferably possesses a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) or a related postgraduate qualification from a recognised institution, reflecting an understanding of the broader health and social welfare context in which HKSPC operates. Expertise with charity governance with knowledge on compliance requirements.

Staff Benefits:

The successful candidate will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical coverage, family-friendly leave arrangements and professional development opportunities.

Please submit application with covering letter, full resume and expected salary to recruit@hkspc.org. For more details about our organization, please view our website at www.hkspc.org.

(HKSPC is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children. All applicants must be willing to undergo sexual conviction record check, background checks and child safeguarding screening)

(All information provided will be held in strict confidence and only be used for recruitment related purpose)