100 percent of our Fellows said they would refer the TechnoServe Fellows Program to friends and colleagues.
Sample Projects
Here are some examples of the typical projects our Fellows have tackled.
Since 1996, TechnoServe has engaged more than 1,000 Fellows on three to twelve-month assignments throughout Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and India. Our program offers Fellows the unique chance to contribute their skills to help those living in poverty, develop more global perspectives, and join an alumni community passionate about transformative change on a global scale.
This page is meant to serve as a resource to help prospective Fellows understand the general scope of projects that the TechnoServe Fellows Program encompasses, the skills and capabilities frequently required to implement them, and how these skills are applied on the ground. Please keep in mind that the following examples are not exhaustive and that no two projects are exactly alike. You can also view a list of TechnoServe’s current and past partners to learn more about the organizations that support our programs.
View full project descriptions
Project Type 1: Value Chain and Market Assessment
Value chain and market assessments are crucial to designing, implementing, and expanding TechnoServe interventions. Fellows performing these assessments play an important role in enabling TechnoServe to identify priority impact areas where we can best employ our market-based approach to improve livelihoods.
One past Fellow working on this type of project conducted an in-depth analysis of the state of Tanzania’s dairy industry and developed a comprehensive strategy for expanding TechnoServe’s East Africa Dairy Development Project (EADD) into the country. Over the course of five months, the Fellow identified and analyzed relevant data; interviewed industry stakeholders; modeled the dairy value chain; and produced an Industry Strategic Plan for dairy in Tanzania.
Project Type 2: Client Services: Business Strategy and Capital Raising
Fellows crafting business and funding strategies for TechnoServe clients provide crucial support to these partners as they look to expand and improve their performance and impact on the ground.
One past Fellow supporting this type of project worked in partnership with an agricultural trading business in Zimbabwe as they looked to increase their involvement with remote contract farmers. Throughout the four-month project, the Fellow was responsible for: creating a multi-year business plan, financial model, and investment memo to obtain further funding for the company; developing a contract farming framework and training materials; creating a data capture system to track smallholder performance in the field; and providing recommendations for building online capacity in the future.
Project Type 3: Client Services: Operational Efficiency and Capacity Building
Fellows strengthening the operations and/or organizational capacity of TechnoServe clients play an essential role in improving these partners’ institutional strength and management.
Several past Fellows working on this type of project supported TechnoServe Peru’s Economic Development Alliance for San Martin Program, working to bolster the region’s transition into a prosperous and sustainable economy. The Fellows were responsible for working with smallholder producers and small and medium-sized enterprises, assisting them in transforming into reliable, competitive suppliers of agricultural products or services. Among other activities, Fellows developed and delivered workshops on effective management; increased access to finance and provided financial training to stakeholders; and improved market readiness by analyzing value chains and designing marketing strategies for select organizations.
Project Type 4: Research, Communications, and Marketing
Fellows contribute greatly to the body of research and communications materials that enables TechnoServe’s projects to effect change long after their completion.
One past Fellow developed a set of lessons learned from TechnoServe’s Coffee Initiative Phase 1 Project, which were disseminated to global coffee industry stakeholders and the development community to contribute to knowledge sharing in these fields. During a three-month project, the Fellow was responsible for gathering these lessons through field visits and interviews with TechnoServe clients, partners, and staff. She then compiled the lessons into short papers and/or brochures on topics such as: increasing the participation of women in rural training programs, cooperative governance, achieving scale in multi-country industry development projects, and building human capacity for industry development.
Project Type 5: Project and Proposal Design
Fellows working in project and proposal design support TechnoServe’s strategy development, business development, and program design.
One past Fellow supported TechnoServe Ghana as the country program revisited its role and position in Ghana after more than 40 years of supporting smallholder farmers and small business owners. Among other activities, the Fellow was responsible for: carrying out an analysis of the agri-business industry and of funds available for development; developing strategic plans and program designs for entrepreneurship, interventions around Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P), rural finance, and staple crops; producing briefs on stakeholder interviews; and developing marketing material from TechnoServe Ghana’s success stories.
Project Type 6: Other
Fellows contribute to a variety of projects as specific needs arise for programs, partners, or nations. Other projects that are available from time to time may include: design and implementation of business plan competitions; strategic research and analysis; impact assessment, monitoring, and evaluation; training curriculum design and delivery; and risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
