INTRODUCTION
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations.
The AFN hosts at least two Assemblies each year where mandates and directives for the organization are established through resolutions directed and supported by the First Nations in Assembly, (elected Chiefs or proxies from member First Nations.)
The AFN is also guided by an Executive Committee consisting of an elected National Chief and Regional Chiefs from each province and territory.
AFN is seeking the services of a reputable and experienced recruitment firm to assist us in identifying and selecting a highly qualified and culturally aligned candidate for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to select a bidder to provide a high quality of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality in carrying out the work of searching for AFN’s new CEO.
As a cornerstone of our executive team, the CEO will play a pivotal role in steering AFN towards continued growth, innovation, and sustainable success.
The search for our next CEO must be completed expeditiously without compromising on quality. We aim to swiftly evaluate proposals, commence candidate sourcing, and finalize negotiations within an aggressive yet feasible timeframe, ensuring the timely appointment of a qualified leader who can drive our organization forward.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The AFN has been operating with an acting CEO since early 2023. Despite previous efforts to recruit a suitable candidate, the search for a permanent CEO has remained elusive. Recognizing the urgency of securing effective leadership, AFN is now seeking to expand the search by engaging a recruitment firm. This decision underscores AFN’s commitment to finding the right candidate to work towards advancing the collective aspirations of First Nations.
All proposals must be received by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) no later than
March 29, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST.
Interested recruitment firms are invited to submit their proposals via email to [email protected]. All proposals should clearly identify the name of the proponent and include the note “RFP for AFN CEO Search” in the subject line.
In accordance with AFN’s commitment to Indigenous representation, individuals submitting proposals are requested to indicate whether they identify as Indigenous and specify the Indigenous community that acknowledges their membership.
Corporate entities should also provide information on the ownership of the entity and the identities of individuals who will be involved in conducting the work under the proposal.
Please note that late submissions will not be accepted.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All proposals shall include the following information:
- Company Profile: Provide a comprehensive overview of your firm, including its history, mission, values, and relevant experience in executive search and recruitment, particularly for CEO-level positions.
- Approach and Methodology: Outline your proposed approach and methodology for fulfilling the scope of work outlined in the RFP. Detail your candidate sourcing strategies, evaluation process, and any unique methods or tools you intend to
- Relevant Experience: Highlight previous successful executive search projects, with a focus on CEO appointments, including client references and testimonials. Describe your firm’s track record of success in recruiting diverse and qualified candidates for leadership roles.
- Team Qualifications: Provide resumes of key team members who will be involved in the project, emphasizing their relevant experience, expertise, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Proposed Timeline: Present a detailed timeline for the completion of the recruitment process, including key milestones, deliverables, and the anticipated start date for the appointed CEO.
- Fee Structure: Clearly outline your fee structure for providing recruitment services, including any additional costs or expenses that may apply. Specify whether fees are contingent upon successful placement or if they are fixed regardless of the
- Diversity and Inclusion Commitment: Demonstrate your firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment Describe how you will ensure a diverse candidate pool and promote equitable opportunities for all candidates.
- References: If able, provide contact information for client references who can speak about the quality of your firm’s work and the outcomes of previous executive search
RIGHTS OF THE AFN
The AFN reserves the right to:
- reject any or all proposals received in response to this Request for Proposals;
- enter into negotiation with one or more bidders on any or all aspects of their respective proposals;
- accept any proposal in whole, or in part;
- cancel and/or re-issue the modified version of a given RFP requirement at any time;
- award one or more contracts;
- verify all information provided with respect to a given RFP requirement, including the right to request a confirmation of the bidder’s legal status and signed documentation; and
- award contracts without competition for follow-up work, if any, to the selected bidder for a given project requirement.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The AFN will select the Proponent(s) which, in the AFN’s sole discretion, best serves the needs of the AFN. The following is a summary of the general considerations that will be used to determine the Proponent(s) that will be selected:
|
1. Overall Experience and Demonstrated Results |
20% |
|
2. Budget Approach and Cost Effectiveness |
20% |
|
2. Terms and Conditions |
10% |
|
3. Indigenous Organization / Individual |
10% |
|
4. Strategic Thinking and Planning Approach |
40% |
|
Total |
100% |
TIMETABLE
The following dates are set forth for informational and planning purposes and may be changed at the AFN’s sole discretion.
|
Deliverables |
Due Date |
|
Candidate Sourcing Report: Provide a comprehensive report detailing the sourcing methods utilized, candidate profiles identified, and initial assessments conducted. |
April 15, 2024 |
|
Shortlist Presentation: Present a select group of highly qualified candidates to the selection committee, accompanied by detailed profiles, assessments, and recommendations for further evaluation. |
April 30, 2024 |
|
Candidate Evaluation Reports: Submit individual evaluation reports for each shortlisted candidate, summarizing interview findings, reference checks, and suitability assessments. |
May 15, 2024 |
|
Negotiation Support: Assist in developing an onboarding plan and provide support to ensure a smooth transition for the newly appointed CEO, including integration into the organization and ongoing mentoring as needed. |
Ongoing |
|
Onboarding Assistance: Assist in developing an onboarding plan and provide support to ensure a smooth transition for the newly appointed CEO, including integration into the organization and ongoing mentoring as needed. |
June 1, 2024 |
The timetable is tentative only and may be changed by the AFN, in its sole discretion, at any time prior to the Proposal Submission Deadline.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Contractors must provide a firm fixed price, including administrative fees, travel, material costs, translation, printing of draft concepts and HST.
Confidentiality
Responses to this RFP will be considered as confidential information by the AFN and will be used solely for the purposes of selecting the successful bidder.
Clarification/ Questions
All on-time proposals will be acknowledged.
Requests for clarification and/or questions regarding this RFP should be directed to:
Jonathan Thompson
VP, Operations & Administration Assembly of First Nations
50 O’Connor Street, Suite 200 Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2
Telephone: (613) 241-6789
Facsimile: (613) 241-5808 Electronic Mail: [email protected]
Responses/ Submission
Only those submissions that meet the deadline will be considered.
Responses to this RFP must be received by the close of business (5:00pm EST) on March 29, 2024.
Responses may be sent by email to:
Jonathan Thompson [email protected]