Fairway: Exploring Web 3.0 Global Job platform. Empowering emerging market talent through Cardano powered verification, to bridge to jobs in the west, starting from Ethiopia

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Henrik Metsämäki

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

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

8

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Empowering East African Tech Talent: A Cardano-based job platform with verified profiles, secure contracts, and integration with Ethiopian National ID for seamless global hiring.

[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] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Dual Licensing for Sustainability:

Our project utilizes a dual-licensing approach:

• Open Source (MIT License): The core functionalities like smart contracts and UI components will be open-source under the MIT License. This fosters community development, transparency, and attracts contributions.
• Commercial License: An extended version with additional features will be available under a commercial license for businesses needing them for production use. This ensures project sustainability and provides appropriate compensation for ongoing support and development.

This dual approach offers transparency and flexibility: users can choose the free version (MIT) for non-commercial use or the feature-rich commercial version, all with clear licensing and documentation.

[METADATA] Horizons

Identity & Verification

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our Web3.0 job board leverages the Ethiopian National ID as a core solution to address the challenges of traditional online recruitment by:

• Secure digital contracts: Utilizing the National ID's digital identity, we enable secure and legally binding digital contracts for job agreements.
• Enhanced verification: Job seekers and employers can undergo robust identity verification using the National ID, reducing fraudulent activities and ensuring trust.
• Streamlined hiring: Our platform facilitates direct connections between verified job seekers and employers, streamlining the application process and reducing time-consuming intermediaries.

Key Features:

• National ID as a digital identity: The Ethiopian National ID serves as a trusted digital identity for users, simplifying verification and authentication.
• Secure contract management: We utilize smart contracts on Cardano to automate and secure the creation, execution, and management of digital job contracts.
• Direct communication: Verified candidates can directly express interest and communicate with employers through the platform.

Technical Exploration:

• National ID integration: We'll integrate the Ethiopian National ID's digital identity framework into our platform.
• Smart contract development: We'll develop smart contracts to automate contract creation, execution, and payment processes.
• Data privacy: We'll prioritize data privacy by implementing robust measures to protect user information and comply with relevant regulations.

Benefits:

• Increased trust and transparency: The National ID's secure digital identity and verifiable credentials enhance trust and reduce fraudulent activities.
• Improved efficiency: Automated contract management and streamlined hiring processes improve efficiency for both job seekers and employers.
• Legal compliance: Leveraging the National ID ensures compliance with local regulations for digital contracts.
• Empowerment for users: The National ID provides users with a secure and portable digital identity, empowering them to participate in the digital economy.

Impact on East Africa:

Our Web3.0 job board offers a secure and transparent solution for online recruitment, fostering trust, efficiency, and legal compliance. By empowering East African tech talent with access to global opportunities and secure digital contracts, we aim to contribute to the region's economic growth and development.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Our Web3.0 job platform, built on Cardano, will have a positive impact on the wider Cardano community in several ways:

1. Fostering Trust and Transparency in Recruitment:

• Reduced fraudulent activity: KYC/KYB verification using the National ID minimizes fraudulent applications from both job seekers and employers, creating a more trustworthy environment for recruitment.
• Enhanced user experience: DIDs empower users with control over their data, leading to a more secure and transparent experience for all participants.

2. Attracting Talent and Promoting Innovation:

• Global talent pool: The secure and decentralized nature of the platform attracts skilled individuals from around the world, expanding the talent pool for Cardano-based projects and companies.
• Skilled workforce development: The platform could potentially integrate with educational credential verification on Cardano, showcasing qualified individuals with relevant blockchain skills.

3. Strengthening the Cardano Ecosystem:

• Increased user adoption: A user-friendly and secure job board encourages wider adoption of Cardano blockchain technology, attracting both new users and established businesses.
• Collaboration opportunities: The platform can facilitate collaboration within the Cardano community by connecting skilled individuals with project needs.
• Innovation showcase: The open-source core (MIT License) of the platform encourages developers to contribute and build innovative features, further enriching the Cardano ecosystem.

Our Web3.0 job board will have a significant positive impact on the wider Cardano community by:

• Strengthening the Cardano ecosystem: By attracting and connecting skilled talent with Cardano-based projects, we will contribute to the growth and development of the Cardano ecosystem.
• Fostering innovation: Our platform will facilitate collaboration between developers, businesses, and individuals within the Cardano community, fostering innovation and driving new use cases.
• Enhancing the reputation of Cardano: A successful and thriving job board will enhance Cardano's reputation as a leading platform for decentralized applications and real-world solutions.

Measuring Impact:

We will measure the impact of our project through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics:

• Number of users: We will track the number of registered job seekers and employers on our platform to measure user adoption.
• Job postings: We will monitor the number of job postings created on the platform to assess its effectiveness in connecting talent with opportunities.
• Successful matches: We will measure the number of successful job placements facilitated through our platform.
• User satisfaction: We will conduct surveys and gather feedback from users to assess their satisfaction with the platform's features and functionality.
• Case studies: We will develop case studies highlighting successful use cases of our platform to showcase its benefits.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

We will share our project's outputs and opportunities through various channels, including:

• Blog posts: We will publish regular blog posts detailing our progress, achievements, and insights.
• Social media: We will actively engage with the Cardano community on social media platforms to share updates and foster discussion.
• Community events: We will participate in Cardano community events and conferences to present our project and network with other stakeholders.
• Open-source contributions: We will contribute to the Cardano ecosystem by making our platform open-source, allowing others to build upon and extend our work.

By measuring our impact and sharing our outputs, we aim to demonstrate the value that our project brings to the Cardano community and inspire further innovation and development.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Fairway's experience in blockchain technology and recruitment, coupled with our deep understanding of the Ethiopian tech ecosystem, positions us as ideal candidates to develop this innovative job platform.

Key strengths:

• Blockchain expertise: Our team has a proven track record in developing blockchain-based solutions, particularly on the Cardano platform and previous Catalyst projects.
• Recruitment knowledge: We possess a deep understanding of the recruitment landscape, both in Ethiopia and internationally.
• International Team: Our international diverse team brings various relationships and valuable insights about use cases in Ethiopia and Europe especially in the nordics.
• Market research: Our previous work in Europe and Ethiopia has equipped us with a comprehensive understanding of diverse hiring needs and regional considerations.

Feasibility and Development:

• Market research: We will conduct in-depth market research to identify the specific needs of job seekers, employers, and recruitment agencies in the Web3.0 space in Ethiopia and Finland.
• Prototype development: We will create a basic prototype showcasing the user interface and core interactions of the proposed job board. This prototype will be used for internal testing and potential community feedback sessions.
• Integration with Fayda National ID: We will partner and closely work with the Ethiopian National ID Fayda to integrate their system to our platform and leverage digital Identity for authentication of job seekers and business to our platform.
• Piloting and Community feedback: We will pilot our project in Ethiopia with prospective universities, graduates. Then we will create docs and publications for achievements and findings to actively seek feedback from the Cardano community on the prototype, gathering valuable insights to refine the concept and ensure alignment with user expectations.

Building on a Strong Foundation:

Fairway's experience, coupled with our commitment to comprehensive planning and community engagement, strengthens the potential for this Web3.0 job board concept to become a reality. By prioritising proof-of-concept development, thorough market research, and iterative design based on user feedback, we can create a secure, transparent, and efficient job board that benefits the entire Cardano ecosystem.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Market Research and User Needs Assessment (Duration: 1 Month)

• Conduct in-depth market research to identify specific needs and challenges of job seekers, employers, and recruitment agencies within the Web3.0 space, with a focus on Ethiopia and other developing countries.
• Analyse existing solutions in the online recruitment landscape and identify opportunities for integration with the proposed Web3.0 identity solution for job boards, considering the specific context of developing regions.
• Identify potential partnerships or collaborations with organizations working in the recruitment space within developing countries.
• Based on market research findings, refine the concept and functionalities to better serve the target user base, emphasizing the integration of the Ethiopian National ID for digital job contracts.
• Develop user personas representing key user groups (job seekers, employers) to guide the design process.

Milestone 2: User Interface Design and Schema Development (Duration: 2 Months)

• Develop low-fidelity wireframes in Figma that illustrate the core user flows and functionalities of the job board, including the integration of the Ethiopian National ID for digital job contract signing.
• Design detailed schema for:
• Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) - Specifying data points captured for user identity verification.
• Job Postings - Defining the data structure for storing job descriptions and related information securely on-chain.
• Digital Job Contracts - Outlining the data elements to be included in digital contracts, leveraging the Ethiopian National ID for authentication and security.
• Conduct internal testing and user experience (UX) evaluation of the wireframes.
• Refine the wireframes and schema designs based on internal testing results and ongoing market research insights.

Milestone 3: Prototype Development and Community Engagement (Duration: 2 Months)

• Develop a non-functional prototype in Web that simulates core functionalities of the job board, including the integration of the Ethiopian National ID for digital job contract signing.
• Conduct workshops specifically targeting individuals from developing countries (including Ethiopia) to gather feedback on the wireframes and functionalities presented.
• Refine the concept, functionalities, and user interface based on community feedback and ongoing market research.
• Prepare a detailed project roadmap outlining future development phases, including functionalities to be incorporated in the next stage.

Final Milestone : Pilot Launch, and Community Engagement (Duration: 2 Months)

• Conduct a pilot launch in Ethiopia, focusing on key cities and regions.
• Organize in-person events and workshops to promote the platform and gather feedback from users.
• Collaborate with local partners to expand the platform's reach and facilitate adoption.

By focusing on these key milestones, we can ensure the successful development and implementation of a Web3.0 job board that effectively leverages the Ethiopian National ID for secure digital job contracts.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

To develop a robust proof-of-concept for this Web3.0 job board, we propose a collaborative team with expertise in blockchain technology and user-centered design.

Project Lead (1 Person):

• Henrik Metsämäki - CEO at Fairway. Leadership and reporting of the project. Managing and facilitating partnerships, contractual agreements and monitoring project deliverables
• Responsible for overall project management, including budget oversight, adherence to timelines, and communication with stakeholders.
• Possesses strong leadership skills and experience managing software development projects.

Blockchain Expert (1 Person):

• Ermias Bunaro - CPO at Fairway.
• Understanding of Cardano and Midnight Blockchains technology and their capabilities.
• Collaborates with developers to assess the technical feasibility of core functionalities (KYC/KYB with DIDs, secure job posting storage).
• Provides guidance on integrating the Web3.0 job board with the Cardano ecosystem.

Full Stack Engineer (1 Person):

• Kidus Mammo - CTO at Fairway.
• Build the front-end of the web application using modern JavaScript frameworks (e.g., React, Vue).
• Integrate user authentication and authorization mechanisms using decentralized identifiers (DIDs).
• Develop components for job posting, job search, and candidate-employer communication.

User Experience (UX) Designer (1 Person):

• Proven experience in UX design principles and conducting user research.
• Analyzes market research findings and user needs to understand the challenges and opportunities related to online recruitment in Web3.0 and developing regions.
• Develops low-fidelity wireframes in Figma to illustrate core user flows and functionalities of the job board.

Additional:

• Gemechis Marema - CCO at Fairway. Prospecting and facilitating partnership discussions. Creation of partnerships

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Total Requested Funding: 145,000 ADA

Milestone 1: Market Research and User Needs Assessment (1 Month) - 20,000 ADA

• Project Management and Research: 9,000 ADA
• User Research and Community Engagement: 11,000 ADA

Milestone 2: User Interface Design and Schema Development (2 Months) - 25,000 ADA

• UI Design and Wire-framing: 15,000 ADA
• Schema Design and System Architecture: 10,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Web App Development and Smart Contract Integration (3 Months) - 50,000 ADA

• Web App Development: 30,000 ADA
• Smart Contract Development: 15,000 ADA
• Testing and Quality Assurance: 5,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Pilot Launch, and Community Engagement (2 Months) - 50,000 ADA

• Pilot Launch and Community Engagement: 30,000 ADA
• Travel and Hosting: 10,000 ADA
• Contingencies and unforeseen expenses: 10,000 ADA

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

This Web3.0 Secure Job Board project offers significant value for the Cardano ecosystem by:

• Empowering Users with Decentralized Identity: By leveraging Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), the job board fosters user ownership and control over personal data. This aligns with core Cardano principles of self-sovereignty and empowers users in the online recruitment landscape.

• Enhancing Security and Transparency: Secure job posting storage on the Cardano blockchain ensures tamper-proof data and transparency within the recruitment process. Users can trust the authenticity of job postings and have confidence in their interactions on the platform.

• Expanding Cardano's Use Cases: This project demonstrates the versatility of the Cardano blockchain for real-world applications beyond financial services. A successful Web3.0 job board showcases Cardano's potential to disrupt traditional recruitment models and create a more secure and user-centric ecosystem.

• Fostering Community Growth: The focus on user needs in developing regions like Ethiopia expands Cardano's reach and fosters a more inclusive global community. The project also leverages community engagement through workshops and surveys, fostering collaboration and valuable feedback.

• Building a Strong Foundation: This proof-of-concept lays the groundwork for future development. The low-fidelity wireframes, schema designs, and market research findings provide a solid foundation for building a functional Web3.0 job board prototype in subsequent stages.