Chigozie Ejimogu

Leading Cross-functional ESG/Impact team in undertaking Investment ESG Analysis, as well as driving and implementing Verod’s Development Impact Strategy

§ Pipeline and Screening – sub-team lead for Deal (including sustainable & green projects) eligibility appraisals and pre-approval processes in line with Verod’s Development Impact Framework.

§ ESG Integration - Team lead for ESG strategy & Policy development and integration across Investment Value Chain:

- undertaking initial Environmental & Social Risk Analysis for new deals and produce Initial Evaluation Paper (IEP) as part of Investment Memo for the Fund’s Pre-IC consideration,

- manage environmental & social due diligence (ESDD) studies, and

- lead active risk-based ongoing portfolio monitoring over the investment lifecycle.

§ ESMS - Handholding portfolio companies in the development and implementation of ESMS, and building internal ESG capacity including resourcing decisions,

§ Reporting – leveraging digital ESG reporting solutions (Dynamo) to manage Verod’s reporting including supporting LPs meet their regulatory climate reporting obligations (TCFD). Manage Development Effectiveness, Development Impact and routine ESG Reporting interface with key stakeholders – DFIs, LPs (BII, EIB, AFDB, DEG, FMO, Proparco, Morgan Stanley etc);

§ Environmental & Social Action Plan (ESAP) - Manage portfolio-level ESG obligations (ESAP) in line with investment agreement.

§ ESG Capacity Building - Conduct ESG capacity building training for Verod employees, and also coordinate portfolio-level ESG training and development programs including senior leaders and board members.

§ Supply Chain E&S – leading workplace accountability audit across suppliers’ operations leveraging Ecovadis platform and managing supply chain E&S governance.

§ Negotiate ESG Clause - Liaise with the legal team in negotiating ESG clauses into the Investment Agreements

1. Leading Verod’s Climate Action Program - (Member of UNPRI Climate Reference Group)

§ Successfully completed the Integration of Climate consideration into the Verod Group’s Investment value chain,

§ Led subject matter expert team for the analysis of portfolio exposure to climate-related financial risk (physical & transition risk)

§ Currently Conducting Pre-deal Climate Scenario Analysis (CSA) for Verod’s upcoming Fund IV Pipeline Deals

§ Initiated and currently championing Climate Smart Energy Savers Program across Portfolio companies

§ Supporting and leading initiatives in the implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation actions (medium scale renewable energy projects, energy efficiency programs at corporate processes and production operations as well as climate proofing existing infrastructures) across Verod Portfolios.

§ Championed corporate climate policy and strategy development across portfolios

§ Anchored Verod’s climate action advocacy across national and international stakeholders – representing Verod at the Private Equity Advisory Committee of UNPRI, Single Point of Contact for Verod’s interface with UNPRI Climate Reference Group. Maintaining Verod’s corporate membership of Initiative Climat International (iCI) etc.

§ Created a pioneering investment thesis on the African Carbon Market Initiative for Verod’s Investment team, identifying and articulating a compelling universe of investment opportunities that highlight the potential for sustainable growth, climate impact, and financial returns in Africa's burgeoning carbon market.

§ Conducted Verod’s GHG Inventory study at Fund and Portfolio Levels

2. Leading Verod’s ESG Value Creation Initiatives (TA)

§ Verod’s Technical Assistance Fund (TAFs) Team Lead – activities include:

- Interfacing with DFIs for securing TAFs

- Proposing initiatives and developing TA project concept notes, business case and project charter

- Managing application process and project implementation

- Coordinating TA project evaluation report

- Successfully managed the integration of gender consideration across Verod’s Fund III investment value chain.

- Driving development and implementation of portfolio specific Gender Smart Investing Action Plan as a tool to drive gender – responsive active portfolio ownership.

1. Leading Verod’s Development Impact Management

§ Development of Verod’s Impact Thesis & Strategy – successfully managed the development and approval of the Verod Group’s (Verod + VKAV) current Development Impact Thesis & Strategy at Fund & Investment Levels aligned toVerod’s investment mandate and contemporary international best practice, standards (GIIN IRIS+, IMP, OPIM, SDGs)

§ Spearheaded the mainstreaming of Gender Lens Investing within Verod’s Fund III, enabling the Fund to attain 2X Best-in-Class certification and strengthening its positioning as a leader in gender-smart investing.

• Collaborated with key stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for complex environmental challenges faced by the organization.
• Enhanced environmental compliance by implementing robust monitoring and reporting systems.
• Managed cross-functional teams in the execution of various environmental projects, resulting in successful completion within budget constraints.
• Championed environmental and resource risk management involving pollution prevention including wastewater management, air quality controls, land contamination risks, water stewards as well as managing permitting processes
• Led climate and energy efficiency program involving implementation of initiatives such as top 10 energy savings, medium scale solarization project.
• Carried out operational GHG emission monitoring
• Champion water and energy use efficiency
• In charge of water resource management involving water quality and supply management.
• Conducted several Environmental Assessment projects including environmental site assessment, ESIAs, EIAs, EBS, EES, PIA etc.
• Conducted drainage integrity testing to monitor groundwater pollution prevention
• Designed and conducted monitoring of effluent-recipient water body to ensure pollution indicators remain below regulatory limits

Oversaw the implementation of the company’s Health, Safety and Environmental Management System
2. Successfully anchored company Service Quality Evaluation program as part of project QA/QC process
3. Played the role of process system Lead auditor (ISO 9001; ISO 14001; OHSAS 18001)
4. Built and maintained a strong HSE commitment and culture within the Project team.
5. Coached and facilitated implementation of systematic Safety processes to that assured compliance with the Project specific HSE Plan requirements (MAESTRO, OIMS, HSEMS etc). Includes direct leadership / support for key client and community requirements such as Freedom to Operate (FTO), Job Safety Analyses (JSA), Loss Prevention Observations (LPO), and Safe Performance Self Assessments (SPSA), Permit to Work (PTW).
6. Interfaced with the Project Teams and other stakeholders as necessary to support project activities and identify/implement best practices and lessons learned
7. Provided guidance on all process safety standards, guidelines & codes in projects and operations
8. Coordinated company monthly HSEQ meetings and presentations
9. Developed and maintained inspection plans for high risk critical operations and equipment in liaison with process owners;
10. Coordinated paradigm shifts i.e. driving a change in behavior from reactive through calculative to proactive on the HSEQ culture ladder.
11. Undertook HSE Management in Contracts (advising on projects and operational international guidelines and codes; Development and Management of Bridging Documents; Responding to HSE tender requirements; Coordinating Pre-mob checks during mobilisation process;
12. Project Coordinator for all Environmental Projects and Training – (Oil Spill Mgt and Environmental Remediation Projects and Trainings; EIAs, EERs, EBS, PIA etc)
13. Providing Environmental leadership in the implementation of Laser Engineering Business Plans
14. Providing expert interface with regulatory agents and other external stakeholders in Environmental issues
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Led several socio-economic studies such as social profiling, threat assessments, specific waste management study/planning etc.
2. Monitored and evaluated the organization’s overall Environment and Social performance to identify recurring problem; researched, evaluated and recommended changes to technology, equipment, systems / processes that improved the organization’s overall performance
3. Earned Nigeria Federal Government commendation for delivering first rated Environmental Assessment reports for complex projects: examples – Shell Bonga Deep Sea Environmental Baseline Surveys (EBS); Total Egina Field EBS; Mobil East Area Operations Environmental Impact Assessments Study
4. Undertook several Environmental and Social Assessments (EIA, EER, PIA, ESHIA, EBS, EDD)
Projects Management
5. Undertook Regulatory Analysis and Compliance management
6. Carried out Technical Presentations at Expert Project Reviews

• Implemented air quality management programs that contributed towards maintaining cleaner air standards at company locations.
• Streamlined waste management processes for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
• Coordinated with regulatory agencies to ensure projects met all necessary requirements and maintained clear communication channels.
• Oversaw remediation efforts for contaminated sites, ensuring proper cleanup procedures were followed and future risks were mitigated effectively.
• Conducted environmental impact mitigation monitoring as well as monitoring of implementation of environmental plan monitoring