Mobile App: Inside M-Kazi : Job alerts and apply for jobs via SMS in Kenya
Since the beginning of july 2012 Kenyans can access
job alerts and apply for jobs via SMS through M-Kazi, a mobile application
targeted at low and middle income earners who make up about 80% of the country's estimated 8
million qualified but unemployed working population.
The application has been created to counter the inconsistent
access to the internet among job-seekers due to lack of access to
computers, despite the growing number of employers posting job adverts online.
“There is 70 % mobile penetration in Kenya, but we are
talking about 5 computers for every thousand people. A mobile tool like M-Kazi which sends
personalized job alerts through basic mobile phones via USSD and SMS will
bridge this gap,” says Nancy Wang, a co-founder of M-Kazi.
M-Kazi uses the shortcodes 838 for SMS and *8382# for
USSD. The service could also save job seekers time and money spent when trying
to find a job.
Wang explains that typically job-seekers have to take
a matatu to the nearest internet-cafe where he or she also has to pay for
internet access to browse and look for job opportunities.
The M-Kazi platform will cost users 6% of what they
spend in these journeys.
“Job-seekers will be charged Ksh. 5 for job alerts
they qualify for. The maximum fee they can be charged in a week for multiple
alerts is Ksh. 20,” says Wang.
Job seekers who want to use M-Kazi will need access to
the internet via a computer only once to load their CV and cover letter to the
M-Kazi site.
Thereafter, every time they want to apply for a job, they will
inform M-Kazi via SMS, which will then email their CV and cover letter on their
behalf.
“Users are able to apply for a job anywhere and
anytime even when you do not have access to the internet. Job seekers at the
moment miss out on opportunities because they find out about a vacancy when it
is already too late to apply or do not have access to the internet when they
need it,” says Wang.
Another aspect of M-Kazi that makes it unique is the
fact that job seekers have to post information regarding their level of
education, job experience, profession and jobs they are interested in . They
will then receive job alerts for the jobs they qualify for only.
“What is the point for you spending money applying for
a job you will not get selected for? For employers there is no need to receive
so many applications from people who do not qualify .Our personalized job alerts
system will eliminate this,” says Wang.
M-Kazi hopes to generate revenues through
subscriptions by charging job seekers for every job alert received.
M-Kazi is targeting to reach 250,000 across Kenya by
the end of the year and plans to replicate the service in Sub-Saharan Africa
next year.
“We foresee this product to be relevant in all the
markets across Sub-Saharan Africa. We are talking about similar economies and
similar mobile penetration rates,” says Wang.
M-Kazi has already identified potential partners in
Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana for expansion in 2013.
M-Kazi has been funded by Innovation for Africa to the
tune of $50,000 which went towards developing the technology, building the
team, conducting research and acquiring connectivity from telecom operators.
The service has received confirmation for second and third rounds of funding.
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