Lead Expert; SSA)— Drafting National Strategy Development of Interculturalism

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The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) with 57 participating States is the world’s largest regional security organization. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) promotes conflict prevention and integration of diverse societies. HCNM was established to identify and seek early resolution of ethnic tensions that might endanger peace, stability or friendly relations between OSCE participating States. Among the tools that the High Commissioner uses are recommendations to governments of OSCE participating States regarding the treatment of national minorities.

For more detailed information for structure and work of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, please see: https: //hcnm.osce.orgThe Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) has supported the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia on policy frameworks relating to interculturalism and the integration of diverse societies, including the current National Strategy for the Development of the "One Society for All" Concept and Interculturalism, which expires on 31 December 2026.

By Government Conclusion adopted at its 129th Session on 18 November 2025, the Ministry of Inter-Community Relations (MoICR) has been formally tasked with preparing the successor National Strategy for the Development of Interculturalism and Social Cohesion 2027–2032 and its Action Plan.

The drafting process is structured in two sequential phases. Phase 1 (April–September 2026), led by the MoICR, comprises two parallel streams: (i) an assessment of the implementation of the current Strategy, conducted by inter-institutional working groups convened by the MoICR; and (ii) a needs assessment of citizens' views on inter-community relations, carried out by a local implementing partner with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

Phase 2 (September–December 2026) consists of the drafting of the new Strategy and Action Plan by a Lead Expert and five national thematic experts.

The overall objective of the consultancy is to support the Ministry of Inter-Community Relations in producing a comprehensive, evidence-based, inclusive, and participatory National Strategy for the Development of Interculturalism and Social Cohesion 2027–2032 and an accompanying Action Plan, reflecting European and international standards and grounded in the realities of the Republic of North Macedonia.

More specifically, the Lead Expert will:

Co-ordinate the drafting process across all thematic clusters and ensure coherence of the final Strategy and Action Plan;
Integrate the findings of the Phase 1 implementation assessment and needs assessment into the analytical foundation and narrative of the Strategy;
Support and guide the work of the five national thematic experts throughout the drafting process;
Serve as the primary point of contact for the HCNM, the OSCE Mission to Skopje, the MoICR, and other key counterparts throughout the consultancy.

The consultancy is expected to commence in September 2026 and to conclude by mid-December 2026, with potential for an extension through January–February 2027 in response to possible opinions and comments received during the government adoption process.

Under the overall supervision of the HCNM designated focal point, the Lead Expert will be expected to:

Familiarize themselves with thematic recommendations and guideline, the previous Strategy ("One Society for All" ), the  consolidated evaluation report, and other relevant national and international policy documents;
Develop and drafting methodology and outline structure for the new Strategy and Action Plan, to be agreed with the MoICR and the HCNM at the outset of the consultancy;
Participate in the Phase 1…