The commissioner of the department of health and human services or designee shall appoint a director of the office of statistical services, in accordance with the merit system laws and regulations of the state of North Dakota, who must be the ex officio state registrar of vital statistics. The deputy state registrar of vital statistics must also be appointed by the commissioner of the department of health and human services or designee. The director of the office of statistical services shall administer and enforce this chapter and the rules and     regulations issued hereunder, and issue instructions for the efficient administration of a statewide system of health statistics tabulation and analysis and a statewide system of vital records registration. The director of the office of statistical services may delegate such functions and duties vested in the director to the officers and employees of the office of statistical services as the director deems necessary and expedient.