Join the mission
Here are some examples of the typical projects our Fellows have tackled.
TechnoServe 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 serves as a resource to help prospective Fellows understand the general scope of projects 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Private equity investor Joe Manning has volunteered twice as a TechnoServe Fellow—first helping Tanzanian coffee farmers in 2010, then returning 15 years later with his family to support Kenyan entrepreneurs. His hands-on experience has made him a passionate advocate for TechnoServe’s business-focused approach to fighting poverty.
They spent last year immersed in a different culture, searching for business solutions that will restore ecosystems, protect nature, and ultimately create prosperous livelihoods. Meet the first cohort of Rachel Hines Fellows.
Nuria Riechenberg, a TechnoServe Fellow in 2023, played a pivotal role in the LIWAY Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There, she created an intervention to address a gap in the recycling value chain, creating sustainable recycling solutions and thousands of jobs. Discover how her experience as a TechnoServe Fellow has impacted her career.
