Independent Evaluation of the Subsidised Temporary Employment Programme (STEP) in Lebanon

About

The Department for International Development awarded a contract to Oxford Policy Management Limited for an independent evaluation of the Subsidised Temporary Employment Programme (STEP) in Lebanon, valued at AUD 999,999.5.

The evaluation aimed to test the job creation potential of the SME incentive scheme over time and to help determine the optimal content and design of the programme.

The overarching purpose was to generate learning for programme adaptation through an impact evaluation, a survey on quality of jobs created, a qualitative survey of new supply chain linkages attributable to STEP, and a process evaluation.

Activities were conducted in collaboration with the SP, and both IE and SP facilitated a mechanism for lessons learning and programme adaptation.

The impact evaluation measured jobs created and sustained at the outcome and impact level, with STEP incentivising SMEs to expand production and create new permanent jobs for predominantly low-skilled Lebanese workers and temporary jobs for Syrian refugees in accordance with Lebanese legislation.