Call for candidates to participate in the digital euro identification and authentication workstream

8 May 2023

The European Central Bank (ECB) is inviting relevant experts to contribute to the identification and authentication workstream for the digital euro scheme rulebook. This is one of the dedicated workstreams set up by the Chair of the Rulebook Development Group to support the drafting of the digital euro scheme rulebook.

The main objective of the workstream is to suggest identification and authentication requirements for the digital euro. The requirements should be guided by the aspiration to offer best-in-class user experience and security, supported by an impact analysis of existing identification and authentication approaches.

The workstream will contribute to the “Functional and operational model” section of the digital euro rulebook, including end-to-end flows and associated data requirements. The illustrative user journeys might also be adjusted to reflect the outcome of the workstream.

The workstream will consist of market participants and Eurosystem representatives. Candidates nominated by their respective stakeholder associations are expected to be leading experts in strong customer authentication (SCA) and identification, including digital identity initiatives, preferably with experience in related regulatory technical standards on SCA and in implementing customer identity and access management (CIAM) solutions. Candidates should be proficient in English as a working language.

The workstream will hold frequent remote meetings over a limited period of two months as of May 2023. Members of the workstream are expected to participate in all meetings and actively contribute to the deliverables.

Candidates interested in joining should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting their experience in identification and authentication (e.g. designing technical standards on SCA, implementing CIAM solutions) and answer in writing the following questions (in no more than 3,000 words in total):

1. Provide a proposal for the best possible user experience for the digital euro with regard to identification and authentication in the use cases it covers.
2. What existing standards/regulations do you think the digital euro should refer to and/or build on for (i) identification and (ii) authentication?
3. Do you think that some of these standards/regulations would need to be adapted to accommodate the digital euro? If so, to what extent? (Please distinguish between identification/onboarding and authentication in your answer.)
4. How do you envisage a potential link between the digital euro identification and authentication mechanisms and potential upcoming digital identity initiatives?

Applicants are also requested to enclose a letter of consent from their employer. A nomination letter from a representative payment stakeholder association or a member of the digital euro scheme Rulebook Development Group would be seen as a bonus. The requisite documents should be sent by email to DigitalEuro-RBD@ecb.europa.eu by 22 May 2023.

All applications will be treated confidentially. The list of successful candidates will, however, be made public.

The ECB is an inclusive institution, and we strive to reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We encourage you to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.

Participation in the identification and authentication workstream will not be remunerated. All intellectual property rights, copyright and rights to development and disposal related to the deliverables of the workstream shall reside exclusively with the ECB.