CareerPRISM: Harnessing Atala PRISM for Next-Gen Recruitment Solutions

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Houssem Benmahmoud

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

houssem.benmahmoud01@gmail.com

Additional applicants

Tinhinane TAZAIRT

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

The specific components that will not be shared as open source include:

1. Core algorithms and proprietary models: We will keep our core algorithms and proprietary models as closed-source to protect the unique methodologies and innovations we have developed. These components may involve advanced data analytics, machine learning models, or proprietary techniques that provide a distinct advantage in the recruitment process.
2. Specific implementation details: While we recognize the importance of transparency, some specific implementation details of the CareerPRISM platform, especially those related to security measures and data handling, will not be publicly disclosed to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the system.
3. Intellectual property and trade secrets: We will take appropriate measures to safeguard our intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary knowledge that have been developed during the project. This includes protecting specific algorithms, methodologies, or unique features that contribute to the project's success and competitiveness.

By keeping these components proprietary, we aim to maintain the value and commercial viability of the project. However, we remain committed to fostering collaboration and will actively engage with the Cardano community through open discussions, sharing high-level insights, and collaborating on non-proprietary aspects of the project whenever possible.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Other

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - The project aims to create a robust recruitment platform that enhances job opportunities, supports economic growth, and promotes fair employment practices.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - By reducing unconscious bias and discrimination in the recruitment process, the project contributes to reducing inequalities in access to job opportunities and promotes a more inclusive and equitable society.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - The use of blockchain technology and self-sovereign identity principles in the recruitment platform fosters transparency, trust, and accountability, aligning with the goal of building strong institutions and promoting peace and justice.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution, CareerPRISM, aims to revolutionize the recruitment process by leveraging the power of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain. The platform addresses the significant issues plaguing traditional recruitment systems, such as lack of transparency, security, accessibility, and potential for unconscious bias and discrimination.

Traditional recruitment systems often involve multiple intermediaries, each handling sensitive personal data, leading to privacy concerns and potential data breaches. Moreover, the verification of credentials and work history is often a time-consuming and error-prone process. CareerPRISM addresses these issues by empowering individuals with control over their own identities and credentials. Using the principles of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), users can securely and privately share their credentials with potential employers, enhancing the privacy and security of the job seekers and providing employers with a trustworthy means of verifying credentials.

One of the most significant issues with traditional recruitment systems is the potential for unconscious bias and discrimination. Despite laws and regulations designed to prevent discrimination in hiring, unconscious biases can still creep into the recruitment process. These biases can be based on a candidate's race, gender, age, or even their name. For example, studies have shown that candidates with names that sound African-American, Middle Eastern, or Asian are less likely to be called for interviews compared to candidates with "Western" sounding names, even when their qualifications are identical (Bertrand & Mullainathan, 2004; Kang et al., 2016; Oreopoulos, 2011).

CareerPRISM reduces the potential for unconscious bias and discrimination by verifying credentials without revealing unnecessary personal information, allowing hiring decisions to be made based on qualifications rather than personal characteristics.

Furthermore, traditional recruitment systems often lack accessibility. Individuals without formal education or legal documentation may find it challenging to participate in the traditional job market. CareerPRISM is designed to be accessible to all, including those who may not have access to technology or legal documentation. This is achieved through the concept of guardianship in SSI, where a holder of human and legal rights can delegate the authority of their DIDs to another party. This feature can help bring more people into the job market, reducing social and economic inequality.

CareerPRISM will engage a wide range of stakeholders, including job seekers, employers, and educational institutions. The platform will offer training and support to users through the Atala PRISM Pioneer Program, helping them to understand and use the platform effectively. We will demonstrate our impact by tracking key metrics such as the number of users, the number of credentials verified, and user satisfaction levels. We will also seek feedback from our users to continuously improve our platform.

CareerPRISM is important to Cardano because it showcases the practical application of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain. By demonstrating how these technologies can revolutionize a real-world process like recruitment, we can encourage more people and organizations to explore and adopt them. This aligns with Cardano's mission of driving positive global change through blockchain technology.

References:

• Bertrand, M., & Mullainathan, S. (2004). Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination. The American Economic Review, 94(4), 991-1013.

Link to Study

• Kang, S. K., DeCelles, K. A., Tilcsik, A., & Jun, S. (2016). Whitened Résumés: Race and Self-Presentation in the Labor Market. Administrative Science Quarterly, 61(3), 469-502.

Link to Study

• Oreopoulos, P. (2011). Why Do Skilled Immigrants Struggle in the Labor Market? A Field Experiment with Thirteen Thousand Resumes. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 3(4), 148-171.

Link to Study

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

CareerPRISM directly addresses the challenge of bringing together stakeholders to accelerate the adoption and product-market-fit of Atala PRISM. By creating a recruitment platform that leverages Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, we are not only providing a practical application of these technologies but also demonstrating their potential to revolutionize real-world processes.

CareerPRISM will engage a wide range of stakeholders, including job seekers, employers, and educational institutions. By bringing these stakeholders together, we can facilitate conversations about interoperability, credential schemas, and technology gaps, which are key to the success of any Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) project. This aligns with the challenge's focus on convening stakeholders to talk through details of interoperability and technology gaps.

In terms of benefits to the Cardano ecosystem, CareerPRISM will contribute in several ways:

Driving Adoption: By demonstrating the practical application of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, CareerPRISM can encourage more people and organizations to explore and adopt these technologies. This can lead to increased usage of the Cardano blockchain and wider adoption of Atala PRISM.

Growing the Community: CareerPRISM will attract a wide range of users, including job seekers, employers, and educational institutions. This can bring new members into the Cardano community, contributing to its growth and diversity.

Solving a Key Problem: CareerPRISM addresses the significant issues plaguing traditional recruitment systems, such as lack of transparency, security, accessibility, and potential for unconscious bias and discrimination. By solving these issues, CareerPRISM can showcase the potential of blockchain technology to address real-world problems.

Strengthening the Ecosystem: By engaging a wide range of stakeholders and facilitating conversations about interoperability and technology gaps, CareerPRISM can contribute to the strengthening of the Cardano ecosystem.

In terms of quantifying the impact, we aim to attract thousands of users within the first year of launching the platform. We also aim to verify thousands of credentials during this period. These are realistic targets given the growing demand for secure, transparent, and accessible recruitment solutions.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of the CareerPRISM project will be measured using a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics. These metrics will help us assess the project's benefits for the Cardano ecosystem and gauge its impact on Cardano's productivity and growth.

User Adoption: One of the primary measures of success will be the number of users on the platform. This includes both job seekers and employers. A high user adoption rate would indicate that the platform is meeting the needs of its target audience and contributing to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem.

Number of Verified Credentials: Another key metric will be the number of credentials verified on the platform. This will give us an indication of the platform's utility and the level of trust users have in the system.

User Satisfaction: We will conduct regular surveys to gauge user satisfaction. This will give us qualitative feedback on the platform's usability, features, and overall user experience. High user satisfaction would indicate that the platform is meeting or exceeding user expectations.

Community Engagement: We will measure the level of engagement within the CareerPRISM community. This includes participation in discussions, feedback, and contributions to the platform's development. High community engagement would indicate a strong and active user base, which is crucial for the long-term success of the project.

Impact on Cardano Transactions: We will monitor the number of transactions on the Cardano blockchain resulting from activities on the CareerPRISM platform. An increase in transactions would indicate that the platform is contributing to Cardano's productivity and growth.

In the short term, CareerPRISM is expected to drive user adoption and increase transactions on the Cardano blockchain. In the long term, by demonstrating the practical application of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, CareerPRISM can encourage more people and organizations to explore and adopt these technologies, contributing to the wider adoption and growth of the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

We plan to share the outputs and results of the CareerPRISM project through various channels and with a wide range of stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure that the benefits of the project are widely disseminated and that the lessons learned contribute to the broader development and adoption of blockchain technology.

Project Updates: We will regularly update the Cardano community and other stakeholders on the progress of the project. These updates will be shared through blog posts, newsletters, and social media posts. They will include information on user adoption rates, the number of credentials verified, user satisfaction levels, and other key metrics.

Public Reports: At key milestones in the project, we will publish detailed reports on the project's progress and results. These reports will be made publicly available and will provide in-depth analysis of the project's impact on the Cardano ecosystem.

Presentations and Webinars: We will host presentations and webinars to share the project's results with a wider audience. These events will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the project and ask questions.

Partnerships and Collaborations: We will actively seek partnerships and collaborations with other organizations in the blockchain space. These partnerships will allow us to share the project's results with a wider audience and explore opportunities for further development and adoption of the technology.

In terms of further research and development activities, the results generated from the CareerPRISM project will provide valuable insights into the practical application of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain. These insights will inform the development of future features and improvements for the platform. They will also contribute to the broader understanding of how blockchain technology can be used to revolutionize real-world processes like recruitment.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Our team is well-equipped to deliver the CareerPRISM project with high levels of trust and accountability. We have a strong combination of skills, experience, and partnerships that position us uniquely to execute this project successfully.

1. Experienced Team: Our team includes a CRM Consultant and Atala PRISM Pioneer with 5 years of experience optimizing CRM solutions, and a Ph.D. holder in Digital-Servitization and Statistics and Applied Economics Engineer with extensive knowledge in marketing, strategy, and B2B consulting. This diverse mix of skills and experience ensures that we have the necessary expertise to handle all aspects of the project, from technical development to marketing and strategy.
2. Partnership with PeakSoft GmbH: Our partnership with PeakSoft GmbH, a software development company specialized in Software Quality Assurance and Blockchain Development, further strengthens our capability to deliver this project. PeakSoft's team includes Plutus and Atala PRISM pioneers, which ensures that they have a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem and the technical expertise to develop, test, and assure the quality of our solution.
3. Proven Track Record: Our team members and partners have a proven track record of delivering successful projects. This demonstrates our ability to execute complex projects and deliver results.

In terms of managing funds properly, we will implement a rigorous financial management process that includes:

1. Budget Planning: We will develop a detailed budget plan that outlines how the funds will be used. This plan will be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that the funds are being used efficiently and effectively.
2. Financial Reporting: We will provide regular financial reports that detail how the funds have been used. These reports will be transparent and will be shared with the Cardano community and other stakeholders.
3. Audit and Review: We will conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure that the funds are being used appropriately and in accordance with the project's objectives.

These measures will ensure that we manage the funds properly and maintain high levels of trust and accountability throughout the project.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals for the CareerPRISM project are as follows:

1. Develop a Secure and User-Friendly Recruitment Platform: Our primary goal is to develop a recruitment platform that leverages the power of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain. The platform will be secure, user-friendly, and accessible to all.
2. Empower Users with Control Over Their Identities and Credentials: We aim to empower users with control over their own identities and credentials. This will enhance privacy and security in the recruitment process.
3. Promote Fair and Equitable Hiring Practices: A significant objective of our project is to promote fair and equitable hiring practices by minimizing the potential for unconscious bias and discrimination in recruitment processes. By verifying credentials without revealing unnecessary personal information, we can ensure that hiring decisions are made based on qualifications rather than personal characteristics.
4. Facilitate the Verification of Credentials: We aim to provide employers with a trustworthy means of verifying the credentials of potential employees. This will improve the efficiency and reliability of the recruitment process.
5. Drive the Adoption of Atala PRISM and the Cardano Blockchain: By demonstrating the practical application of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, we aim to encourage more people and organizations to explore and adopt these technologies.

To validate if our approach is feasible, we will use a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures:

1. User Adoption and Satisfaction: We will track the number of users on the platform and conduct regular surveys to gauge user satisfaction. High user adoption and satisfaction levels would indicate that the platform is meeting the needs of its target audience.
2. Number of Verified Credentials: We will monitor the number of credentials verified on the platform. A high number of verified credentials would indicate that the platform is providing value to employers and job seekers.
3. Community Engagement: We will measure the level of engagement within the CareerPRISM community. High community engagement would indicate a strong and active user base, which is crucial for the long-term success of the project.
4. Impact on Cardano Transactions: We will monitor the number of transactions on the Cardano blockchain resulting from activities on the CareerPRISM platform. An increase in transactions would indicate that the platform is contributing to Cardano's productivity and growth.

In terms of implementation, we will leverage our partnership with PeakSoft GmbH, a software development company specialized in Software Quality Assurance and Blockchain Development. Their team includes Plutus and Atala PRISM pioneers, which ensures that they have the technical expertise to develop, test, and assure the quality of our solution. We will follow an agile development approach, which allows for iterative development and continuous improvement based on user feedback.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Planning (Month 1)

Key Activities:

• Finalize project plan
• Set up communication and collaboration tools
• Kick-off meeting with the team and stakeholders

Success Criteria:

• Project plan finalized and approved
• Communication and collaboration tools set up
• Kick-off meeting successfully conducted

Milestone 2: Design and Development of the Platform (Months 2-5)

Key Activities:

• Define user requirements
• Design user interface and experience
• Develop the platform's core features
• Integrate Atala PRISM for secure identity management
• Implement Atala PRISM's verifiable credentials for credential verification
• Leverage Atala PRISM's privacy features for data protection

Success Criteria:

• User requirements defined
• User interface and experience designed
• Core features developed
• Integration with Atala PRISM completed

Milestone 3: Testing and Quality Assurance (Months 6-7)

Key Activities:

• Conduct functional and non-functional testing
• Perform security audits
• Fix bugs and issues identified during testing
• Validate the integrity of Atala PRISM integration

Success Criteria:

• Functional and non-functional testing completed
• Security audits conducted
• All critical bugs and issues fixed

Milestone 4: Governance Framework Development and User Training (Months 8-9)

Key Activities:

• Develop a governance framework for the platform
• Define roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
• Establish decision-making processes and protocols
• Implement mechanisms for transparency and accountability
• Develop user manuals and guides
• Conduct user training sessions

Success Criteria:

• Governance framework developed
• Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders defined
• Decision-making processes and protocols established
• Mechanisms for transparency and accountability implemented
• User manuals and guides developed
• User training sessions conducted

Milestone 5: Platform Launch and Marketing (Month 10)

Key Activities:

• Launch the platform
• Conduct marketing and promotional activities
• Gather user feedback

Success Criteria:

• Platform successfully launched
• Marketing and promotional activities conducted
• User feedback gathered

Milestone 6: Post-Launch Support and Maintenance (Months 11-12)

Key Activities:

• Provide ongoing support to users
• Monitor platform performance
• Implement updates and improvements based on user feedback
• Maintain compatibility with Atala PRISM updates

Success Criteria:

• Ongoing support provided to users
• Platform performance monitored
• Updates and improvements implemented based on user feedback

Our project management approach will be agile, allowing for iterative development and continuous improvement based on user feedback. We will use project management tools to track progress, manage tasks, and facilitate communication among the team. Regular meetings will be held to discuss progress, address issues, and plan for the next steps.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Planning

• Deliverables: Project plan, set-up of communication and collaboration tools

• Intended Outcomes: A clear roadmap for the project, established communication channels for effective collaboration

• Progress Measurement: Completion of project plan, successful set-up of communication and collaboration tools

Milestone 2: Design and Development of the Platform

• Deliverables: User requirements document, user interface and experience designs, developed platform with core features, integration with Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain

• Intended Outcomes: A functional platform that meets user requirements and is integrated with Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain

• Progress Measurement: Completion of user requirements document, user interface and experience designs, development of core features, successful integration with Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain

Milestone 3: Testing and Quality Assurance

• Deliverables: Test reports, security audit reports, bug and issue tracking reports

• Intended Outcomes: A thoroughly tested platform that is secure and free of critical bugs and issues

• Progress Measurement: Completion of functional and non-functional testing, security audits, resolution of all critical bugs and issues

Milestone 4: Governance Framework Development and User Training

• Deliverables: Governance framework document, defined roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, Decision-making processes and protocols document, user manuals and guides, conducted user training sessions

• Intended Outcomes: Established governance framework for effective platform management, Clearly defined roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, Well-established decision-making processes and protocols, User manuals and guides for smooth platform usage, Users equipped with knowledge and skills through training sessions

• Progress Measurement: Completion of the governance framework document and its approval, Clearly defined roles and responsibilities documented and accepted, Decision-making processes and protocols established and communicated, User manuals and guides developed and reviewed, Successful conduct of user training sessions

Milestone 5: Platform Launch and Marketing

• Deliverables: Launched platform, marketing and promotional materials, user feedback reports

• Intended Outcomes: The platform is launched and marketed to the target audience, user feedback is gathered for further improvements

• Progress Measurement: Successful launch of the platform, conduct of marketing and promotional activities, collection of user feedback

Milestone 6: Post-Launch Support and Maintenance

• Deliverables: Ongoing user support, platform performance reports, updates and improvements based on user feedback, compatibility maintnaied with Atala PRISM updates

• Intended Outcomes: Satisfied users with continuous support and assistance, High-performing platform with regular updates and improvements, Seamless integration of Atala PRISM updates for enhanced functionality

• Progress Measurement: Provision of ongoing user support, monitoring of platform performance, implementation of updates and improvements based on user feedback, Verification of compatibility with Atala PRISM updates

We will use project management tools to track the progress of each milestone and measure the completion of deliverables. Regular meetings will be held to review progress and plan for the next steps.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

Milestone 1: Project Kick-off and Planning (40k ADA)

• Project planning and management
• Communication and collaboration tools
• Kick-off meeting and stakeholder engagement

Milestone 2: Design and Development of the Platform (100k ADA)

• User requirements definition
• User interface and experience design
• Platform development
• Integration with Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain

Milestone 3: Testing and Quality Assurance (40k ADA)

• Functional and non-functional testing
• Security audits
• Bug fixing

Milestone 4: Governance Framework Development and User Training (40k ADA)

• Develop a governance framework for the platform
• Define roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
• Establish decision-making processes and protocols
• Implement mechanisms for transparency and accountability
• Develop user manuals and guides
• Conduct user training sessions

Milestone 5: Platform Launch and Marketing (30k ADA)

• Platform launch
• Marketing and promotional activities
• Gathering of user feedback

Milestone 6: Post-Launch Support and Maintenance (30k ADA)

• Ongoing user support
• Platform performance monitoring
• Updates and improvements based on user feedback
• Maintain compatibility with Atala PRISM updates

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the CareerPRISM project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem for several reasons:

1. Innovative Solution: The project will deliver an innovative recruitment platform that leverages the power of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain. This is a unique solution that addresses a real-world problem, providing value to both job seekers and employers.
2. Promotion of Atala PRISM and Cardano: By demonstrating the practical application of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, the project will promote these technologies and encourage their wider adoption. This will contribute to the growth and success of the Cardano ecosystem.
3. Fair and Equitable Hiring Practices: The project will promote fair and equitable hiring practices by minimizing the potential for unconscious bias and discrimination in recruitment processes. This aligns with Cardano's mission of promoting fairness and equality.
4. Experienced and Skilled Team: The project team consists of experienced professionals with a strong understanding of the Cardano ecosystem. The cost of the project includes fair compensation for their skills and expertise.
5. Partnership with PeakSoft GmbH: Our partnership with PeakSoft GmbH, a software development company specialized in Software Quality Assurance and Blockchain Development, ensures that we have the technical expertise to deliver on this project. The cost of their services is included in the project budget and represents value for money given their expertise and experience.

The costs of the project have been carefully calculated based on the scope of work, the complexity of the tasks, and the time and resources required to complete them. They are in line with the average wage in our country and typical freelance rates in our industry. We have also taken into account the costs of software tools, marketing and promotional activities, and user support.

In conclusion, we believe that the CareerPRISM project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem. It will deliver a unique and innovative solution, promote the adoption of Atala PRISM and the Cardano blockchain, and contribute to the mission of promoting fairness and equality.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept