Call for Proposals — Development Project Management Services

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) is looking for an independent contractor to lead and execute its development initiatives. The role will be performed remotely, with occasional travel, and will involve close cooperation with the head of the Projects and Development area to align objectives and approve deliverables. Key duties include designing and running educational events, interactive roundtables and regional training sessions that promote athlete growth and grassroots involvement. The contractor will also create programmes that support athletes in balancing sport with other career paths and in moving into professional life after competition. Coordination of logistics, stakeholder consultations and learning sessions linked to major sporting occasions forms part of the daily workload. The provider must draft project plans, timelines and outputs, using tools such as Asana or SharePoint to track progress and enable teamwork. Budget oversight, KPI monitoring, risk assessment, reporting and recommendation preparation are also required, as is translating FIE development goals into concrete milestones and measurable results. Ongoing liaison with national federations, delegates, sports administrators, international bodies and other partners across various regions will be essential, as will juggling competing project demands around key events and set deadlines. Applicants need at least five years of experience managing complex international projects, preferably within a sports federation, NGO, UN agency or multinational corporation. A proven track record of independently organising and delivering projects, including schedules, budgets, quality control and reporting, is mandatory. Candidates must possess solid understanding of global sports governance and experience engaging with culturally diverse stakeholders. Strong analytical, diplomatic and communication abilities are required, as is fluency in English. Proficiency with project‑management and presentation software is essential, together with a relevant university degree or equivalent professional background in sports management, international relations, project management, business administration or a related discipline. The role also demands willingness to travel internationally for championships, regional workshops and other agreed activities. Additional advantages include a background in fencing, familiarity with AI‑enhanced tools, and working knowledge of French or Spanish. The assignment will be governed by a contractor agreement, with meetings scheduled to suit Central European time. Fees, travel costs, confidentiality terms and the exact timeline will be defined in a separate service contract, with the start date and duration to be agreed with the selected provider. What the role asks for: - At least five years managing complex international projects - Demonstrated ability to organise and deliver projects independently - Knowledge of global sports governance and multicultural stakeholder engagement - Excellent analytical, diplomatic and communication capabilities - Proficiency with project‑management and presentation tools - Fluent command of English - Relevant degree or equivalent experience in sports management or related field - Willingness to travel internationally for championships and workshops - Experience in fencing (nice‑to‑have) - Familiarity with AI‑based tools (nice‑to‑have) - Working knowledge of French or Spanish (nice‑to‑have) - Ability to work with Central European time‑zone meetings (nice‑to‑have)