The search for a new Ombudsman for Bermuda has begun as Arlene Brock enters her final stretch in the post.The Ombudsman post is intended to serve as a watchdog for the public, empowered to carry out independent and impartial reviews of the actions of Government and its agencies.Ms Brock, the Island’s first Ombudsman, is set to leave the position in mid-January after serving for more than eight years.Since being appointed in August 2005, Ms Brock has led investigations into several controversial subjects, including racial disparity at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the Tucker’s Point Special Development Order and most recently governance issues at the Corporation of Hamilton.She said yesterday: “It’s always best practice for an Ombudsman to have one term of a fixed amount and then reappoint. It should be long enough to put their stamp on it but not too long, especially because the position is so quickly evolving.“It’s important for someone new to come in and say ‘Arlene Brock didn’t think about doing X, Y and Z because she was working on setting up the office’, so it’s good to have that change.”An advertisement for her post appeared in yesterday’s The Royal Gazette, calling for candidates with a first level degree and several years of related experience, along with proven negotiation and mediation skills, a decisive and analytical mind, a working knowledge of the organisation and operation of the Bermuda Government and be able to communicate convincingly with the general public.According to the Bermuda Constitution, anyone who in the last three years has served as a Senator, a member of the House of Assembly, a political candidate or has held an office in a political party is not eligible for the apolitical post.The appointment will last between five and eight years, subject to discussion on appointment.Those interested in the post who believe they meet the requirements are asked to apply in writing to the Office of the Deputy Governor at Government House no later than October 23, explaining why they believe they are a suitable candidate with details of their relevant qualifications and experience.