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Roger Widmer

MSc Dev Mgmt, B.Comm IB, PMP, ITIL v3 Expert, MCP

Experienced IT professional with an education in development management and international business. I am a technophile committed to implementing innovative solutions in the humanitarian sector to achieve sustainable, impactful change. My experience includes:
   • IT project and service management
   • GIS technologies and geospatial data analysis
   • Field data collection systems
   • End-user support and training; change management; team leadership
   • Software deployment; cold-chain management
   • Vendor management and departmental budgeting


"GIS is waking up the world to the power of geography."

— Jack Dangermond, Founder of Esri

Curriculum Vitae

Core Skills and Competencies

  • GIS & Remote Sensing: QGIS, ArcMap, Arc Hydro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, Copernicus, Maxar, GEE.
  • Field Data Management: ODK Collect, ODK Central, KoboToolbox, Kobo Collect, SurveyCTO, ONA, Survey123.
  • Digital Health: DHIS2 certified, MEAL, Epidemiology in Public Health Practice specialisation.
  • Project Management: PMP certified, agile/waterfall/hybrid methodologiesglobal team management.
  • Business Analysis: Requirements gathering, use cases, process mapping, focal point for stakeholders.
  • IT Service Management: ITIL v3 Expert certified, ISO 20000, service desk management, IT governance.
  • Change Management: Process reengineering, ADKAR, user adoption, automation, training delivery.
  • Strategic Planning: Budgeting, roadmap creation, capacity planning.
  • Technical Expertise: Cloud computing, AI, software deployment, hardware procurement.
  • Stakeholder Management: Multicultural collaboration, business relationship building.

Professional Experience

Novel-T SARL, Geneva

Senior GIS Solutions Engineer / Project Manager 

May 2019 – June 2023

Led international development projects employing geospatial and mobile technology to address health crises in developing countries, fostering capacity building and beneficiary empowerment.

    • Communication focal point across multi-cultural stakeholders (UN agencies, NGOs, MOHs).
    • Conducted geospatial analysis and reporting using QGIS, ArcMap, Arc Hydro, and ArcGIS Pro.
    • Designed and analysed digital field data collection using ODK, ONA, and KoboToolbox.
    • Managed project resources, staffing, budgets, and roadmap.
    • Managed business needs analysis, service implementation, and technical support.
    • Managed product testing, end-user engagement, deployment, release, and documentation.
    • Oversaw procurement, negotiation, and management of technology vendors.
    • Delivered project updates and reports to domestic and international stakeholders.
    • Ensured compliance with governance methodologies and contributed to PMO activities.
    • Delivered in-country and virtual product demonstrations and training.

HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA, Geneva 

Implementation Manager, Global Client Reporting

July 2011 – Feb. 2017

Managed the global client reporting implementation team, aligning business objectives with technological solution (Actuate).

    • Developed service budgets, strategies, and roadmaps for continuous improvement.
    • Supervised a global team of eight, ensuring effective collaboration between local and remote teams.
    • Negotiated contracts with external vendors and consultants.
    • Managed service capacity, availability, performance and security.
    • Gathered requirements, monitored SLAs, and managed business expectations.
    • Oversaw deployment and post-implementation support for service.

Thomson Reuters S.A., Geneva (As a consultant for Tanit Services S.A.)

Project Coordinator, Release and Implementation Planning

Oct. 2010 – July 2011

    • Coordinated the global implementation of real-time data services in virtualized environments.
    • Monitored project risks and progress while coordinating global technical operations teams.

Capital International S.A., Geneva 

Release and Deployment Management

Jan. 2007 – Dec. 2009

Directed IT change initiatives and global rollouts in compliance with ITIL and COBIT standards.

    • Coordinated resources across development, DBAs, server teams, data security, and support.
    • Managed regression and UAT testing, project planning, and go-live events.
    • Improved release processes and developed tools for enhanced performance and ensured governance.
    • Creation of project plans and schedules, chairing meetings, and hands-on leadership of go-live events.

Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie, Geneva (As a consultant for A.P.I. S.A.)

IT Consultant in software repackaging, release and migration

Jan. 2005 – Dec. 2006

External consultant to a project team undertaking the global operating system migration project.

    • Configuration and release management of international desktop applications.
    • Repackaging of legacy software for automated deployment using MS SMS server.
    • Applications testing and support in collaboration with system users internationally.

U.B.S. Private Banking and Wealth Management, (As a consultant for Perot Systems)

Application support manager / Software design and delivery specialist

Sept. 2000 – Dec. 2004

Led IT support and software rollouts across Switzerland for the private banking division of UBS in Geneva.

    • Management of a team of six IT support technicians responsible for premium-level user support.
    • Implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
    • Management of customer satisfaction and expectations, performance reviews and reporting.
    • Team motivation, planning and follow-up of associate development and training goals.

Trans-World Metals S.A., Geneva

IT Systems Administrator

May 1996 – July 2000

Oversaw all aspects of IT Management for the Geneva office of a major international metals trading company. 

    • Systems administration, applications development and support, and user training.
    • Management of external hardware and software vendors.
    • Management and planning of IT departmental budget.
    • Led projects to implement database applications relating to materials management and fiduciary payments.

Elvia Vie Assurances, Geneva

Actuarial IT Support

Feb. 1994 – April 1996

Provided IT support and spreadsheet programming within the actuarial department. Developed systems to perform the most common actuarial calculations. Automated testing procedures for new products.

B. Terfloth & Cie. (Canada) Inc., Montreal

Export Trader

Feb. 1990 – May 1993

Led an Import/Export department consisting of myself, one assistant and a shared back-office staff dedicated to the trade of foodstuffs primarily to/from the Caribbean and South America. Focused on the development of new businesses and markets.

Volunteer Experience

United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

  • VBA programming and Access DB design - PAAJAF - Ghana

Mar. 2018 – Sept. 2021

Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) 

  • Open-source mapping and satellite imagery analysis

Aug. 2023 –Present

Agenda 21, Vulbens France 

  • Implemented sustainable development initiatives in local community

Feb. 2011 – Mar. 2014

Education

Academic Degrees

  • Master of Science in Development Management The Open University, UK

2019

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Human Rights The Open University, UK

2017

  • Bachelor of Commerce International Business Concordia University, Montreal

1989

Professional Certification 

  • IBM AI Developer

2025

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) University of California Davis

2025

  • Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Johns Hopkins University
  • SurveyCTO SurveyCTO Academy

2025

2025

  • DHIS2 Certification HISP Centre at University of Oslo

2024

  • ISO 20000 Foundation Certificate

2017

  • CompTIA Cloud Essentials Certificate 

2017

  • ITIL v3 Expert in Service Management 

2012

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)

2005

  • Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

1999

Languages

English: Mother tongue, fully proficient

French:  Business Proficient (CEFR C1 Level)

“ODK helps millions collect data quickly, offline, and at scale — from rural villages to the International Space Station.”

— Yaw Anokwa, co-founder of ODK

References

Click any of the below hyperlinks to view the Employment Certificate in a separate tab 

"Technology must play a central role in our efforts to achieve sustainable development. It can help us eradicate poverty, combat climate change, and ensure a life of dignity for all."

- Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Diplomas

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