申诉专员是指专门调查人民对公职人员就延误处理、不公平对待等事宜所提控告的特派员。申诉专员一般指由政府委任，并独立于政府部门的调查员，以香港为例，香港申诉专员是申诉专员公署的首长，负责调查及调解市民对政府部门及部分由政府资助的公营机构的投诉。但并非所有的申诉专员皆由政府委任，部分监察政府运作的组织，例如报社及非政府组织等，亦会设立申诉专员一职，从第三者的角色监督政府。除此之外，部分行业会设有申诉专员，负责处理该行业内的投诉，在外国有银行及财务服务申诉专员、保险业申诉专员等。

An ombudsman or public advocate is usually appointed by the government or by parliament, but with a significant degree of independence, who is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or a violation of rights. In some countries an Inspector General, Citizen Advocate or other official may have duties similar to those of a national ombudsman, and may also be appointed by a legislature. Below the national level an ombudsman may be appointed by a state, local or municipal government. Unofficial ombudsmen may be appointed by, or even work for, a corporation such as a utility supplier, newspaper, NGO, or professional regulatory body.