Executive Search Services for CFO Recruitment

A South African state-owned broadband infrastructure company is seeking one executive search firm to headhunt, screen, and place a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at its head office. The position sits on the Executive Committee (Exco) and has been vacant since 1 February 2026. The assignment covers only the CFO role. The Chief Executive Officer and other executive roles are excluded. The appointed provider must research the South African and relevant international markets for candidates with executive experience in the ICT, telecommunications, or State-Owned Company (SOC) sectors. The work must be completed within a strict eight-week timeline, split into nine phases: inception and job profile confirmation, candidate sourcing, pipeline and longlist development, shortlisting, screening and verification, panel interview coordination, psychometric and leadership assessments, reporting, and offer facilitation. The client retains sole decision-making power over employment, and the provider cannot alter terms or bind the client. Although the tender is listed under the Telecommunications category, it is a professional recruitment services contract.

Bidders must meet mandatory minimum requirements before evaluation. The designated lead consultant must have at least ten completed years of executive headhunting experience and an NQF Level 7 qualification or higher in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Foreign qualifications require SAQA equivalence evidence. Technical proposals must follow a prescribed sequence. This includes a covering letter and company profile, the lead consultant's CV, team allocation with assessment practitioner registration details, a dated log of executive placements from the past three years, at least five signed reference letters with performance ratings, evidence of Employment Equity placements, a methodology with a Gantt chart for the eight-week timeline, and a completed functionality evidence schedule. Bidders must score at least 65 out of 100 on the functional scorecard to proceed. The scorecard assesses company operating experience, the lead consultant's tenure and qualifications, case studies, sector-specific placements, EE placements, reference quality, and methodology. Shortlisting requires at least ten qualified and willing candidates. If fewer are found, the provider must submit documented market mapping evidence and a remedial timeline for written approval.

The evaluation uses the 80/20 preference point system, with 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals. Specific goals cover black-owned entities, women-owned entities, youth equity ownership, people with disabilities, and military veterans, and require supporting documentation. Pricing is a firm, fixed percentage fee that includes all search, database, advertising, background check, disbursement, and travel costs. The fee is applied to the agreed Total Cost to Company (TCTC) salary of the successful candidate, and no retainers or upfront payments are permitted. Bidders must also submit a tax clearance certificate for quotes above R30,000 (VAT included), a valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit, and a full CSD report. Bidders must provide full placement terms and a replacement guarantee period. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted, and fraudulent or inaccurate information leads to disqualification. The closing date is 13 November 2026 at 12:00, and bids remain valid for 60 days after closing.