Technical Program Specialist - South Africa

Coconut; Remote; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global talent connection firm is seeking a Technical Program Specialist to guide and mentor software engineering teams. This role requires 5+ years of experience with Java or Python, strong English communication skills, and a collaborative approach. You will manage training, conduct interviews, and ensure high-quality talent acquisition. The position is full-time, offering a monthly rate of $1600. Ideal candidates are located in or near South Africa, with a focus on coaching and team dynamics.

Benefits

Access to Global Opportunities

Premium Client Matches

Hassle-Free Sourcing

Ongoing Opportunities

Free to Join

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on industry experience with Java or Python.
• Strong coaching and mentoring skills, able to guide teams effectively.
• Effective communication skills in English, with minimal accent issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide clarity and vision to multiple functional teams of software engineers.
• Conduct daily lab sessions and capture feedback for improvement.
• Assist engineering manager with planning and execution of projects.

Skills

Coaching

Mentoring

Communication

Java

Python

Agile Methodologies

Tools

JavaScript

DevSecOps

Job description

At Coconut 🥥, we connect founders and businesses with top-tier remote talent while prioritizing meaningful, reliable partnerships. We believe success happens when everyone wins. Clients achieve their goals, and our virtual professionals find purpose and growth in their work. We're currently looking for top talent to fill the role below:

Role: Technical Program Specialist

Monthly Rate: $1600

Availability: Full-time - 40 hours/week

Time Zone: IST or EST

To streamline your application, please carefully review and complete ALL FOUR items below before proceeding to the application form.

What to Prepare:

1. 1️⃣ English Proficiency Rating – You will need to enter your CEFR English proficiency level in the application form. If you’re unsure of your rating, you can take a quick assessment here: EF SET Quick Check.
2. 2️⃣ DISC Assessment Type – You will need to enter your DISC Assessment Type in the application form. If you're unsure of your type, you can take a quick assessment here: Truity DISC ASSESSMENT.
3. 3️⃣ Coconut VA Profile (Resume) – Before submitting your application, please create your Coconut VA profile using this template: Coconut VA Profile Template. ⚠️⚠️⚠️ YOUR RESUME MUST FOLLOW THIS FORMAT AND SHOULD BE IN ENGLISH. This is a test of how keen you are with details and how well you follow instructions. ⚠️⚠️⚠️
4. 4️⃣ 1-Minute Introduction Video – Record a short introduction video (preferably using Loom) and provide the link in your application. Before you do, check out these video tips and sample videos. Important: By submitting your video, you grant Coconut permission to share it on our platforms to help increase your chances of being matched with a client. Videos with broken or dummy links will result in disqualification.

Experience Needed:

• Coach, mentor and guide multiple multi functional teams of software engineers, providing clarity, vision, strategy and progress to all team members
• Conduct daily lab sessions
• Provide professional and best practice guidance with an emphasis on quality, simplicity, maintainability and performance
• Train and establish team culture with emphasis on customer centricity, engineering agility, creativity, collaboration and a continuous learning or growth mindset
• Capture daily feedback to identify specific roadblocks and individual trainees’ concerns
• Provide operational oversight to engineering projects
• Guide engineering project requirements execution and use case building into systems solutions, building experiences that empower consultants to showcase their talent
• Assist the engineering manager in planning and execution processes, delivering robust engineering plans and prioritizing work across the team
• Monitor attendance, regular work assignments and overall performance, escalating any identified performance issues to the engineering manager
• Execute the end to end consultant delivery process
• Be a trusted partner for the recruitment teams and work closely with recruitment coordinators and other team members to ensure the best talent is hired by conducting technical and behavioral interviews with early career IT professionals
• Participate in special projects or tasks as assigned
• Support the technology operations team in creating and maintaining training plans and course materials across multiple cohorts
• Assist in integrating new concepts, courses, products, reporting and feedback into existing coursework

Good to have:

• Located in/near India (strong preference)
• Other locations: South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Philippines, some Middle East (e.g., Turkey)
• Prior experience in training, mentoring, or education (e.g., mentoring juniors, running workshops, university involvement)

Non-negotiable Requirements:

• Strong, clear English; minimal accent issues (customer facing + teaching)
• 5+ years of hands on industry experience with Java or Python
• Very strong soft skills: Coaching/mentoring style (not aggressive)
• Comfortable having difficult conversationsProfessional communication with candidates and internal team
• Willingness to work 9 to 5 IST or 9 to 5 ET
• Familiarity with Agile Software Development Life cycle best practices.
• Previous teaching or training experience.

Industry/Tools Experience:

• Java/Python/JavaScript/DevSecOps.

🌍 Benefits of Joining the Coconut Talent Pool

• 1. Access to Global Opportunities – Get matched with international companies actively seeking skilled remote professionals.
• 2. Premium Client Matches – Work with vetted, high-quality clients who value long-term relationships and real impact.
• 3. Hassle-Free Sourcing – No need to job hunt—we connect you with roles aligned with your expertise and career goals.
• 4. Ongoing Opportunities – Stay in our talent pool for future openings. You're free to work with other clients while you wait.
• 5. Free to Join – No fees. No fine print. Just a fair and transparent process from the start.