Becoming One of Us

AO Stories


Kiki Chan

quotation marks
The post connected my work to my interest.
Qualifications
  • BSocSc (HKU) Politics and Public Administration & Global Studies (2011)
  • MPhil (Cantab) Environmental Policy (2012)
Date of joining
June 2015
Recent Postings
  • Financial Secretary's Private Office
  • Chief Secretary for Administration's Office
  • Home Affairs Bureau

My AO Story

After working in the private sector for about two and a half years upon graduation, I joined the Administrative Service in 2015.

Five years into the job, I have completed three posts which have given me wide exposure. I worked on district administration at the Sham Shui Po District Office, on policy formulation and implementation at the Home Affairs Bureau and on a public inquiry at the Secretariat of a Commission of Inquiry. I have recently been posted to the Financial Secretary’s Private Office and provide support to the work of the Financial Secretary.

I appreciate the various training on the job. My work at the Secretariat of the Commission of Inquiry, in particular, was a valuable legal training. It was an eye-opening experience to serve a prominent retired judge as the Chairman of the Commission and work with a professional legal team. The experience had even motivated me to consider pursing studies in the area.

Why did I want to be an AO?
Kiki
I am interested in public policies and studied relevant subjects at secondary school and university. I would like to work in related area and gain exposure to various policy areas through regular job rotations.
What is my most memorable experience in the AO Grade so far?
Kiki

Every post has its memorable moment. My post at the Culture Branch of the Home Affairs Bureau is the most memorable so far because of the international exposure. I enjoyed the work on cultural exchanges and am glad to have represented Hong Kong at an international cities summit, taken part in organising a regional ministerial forum and witnessed the strengthening of bilateral cultural ties between Hong Kong and other places.

The post is the most memorable also because it connected interest and work. It was indeed a pleasure to work when visual arts and private museum matters were the subjects of my portfolio. Thanks to the post, I have now visited more exhibitions, watched more performances and explored more cultural landmarks when I travel!

Any tips for potential applicants for the AO post?
Kiki

Applicants may pay more attention to current affairs. If asked to propose solutions to certain issues during written examination or interview, applicants may try to identify the problems in question and the views of stakeholders, support their recommendations with justifications and assess the implications.