Is the system of First officers being appointed to this type of position something that has been instigated in the past 10 - 15 years?
From my experience in airlines, Fleet Managers, and Assistant Fleet Managers were always Captains.
I suspect the placing of F/O's into positions formerly held by Captains, is an "innovation" of the New Age management (previously known as the HR department), and designed to undermine the authority of the position of Captain in the eyes of the other employees.
Well, it's worked - and this incident is a product of the H. R. dep't.