[1] After finishing primary and secondary education in Poreč, Jakovčić graduated from the University of Zagreb Faculty of Foreign Trade in 1980.

In the 1980s Jakovčić worked in exports and marketing divisions of the Istrian company Pazinka and after that became an entrepreneur and took part in investments in Austria and Croatia.

After IDS won the local elections, Jakovčić became the head of the Istria County, position he held until 2013 after being re-elected in 2005 and 2009.

His sixth consecutive term as head of IDS was confirmed by acclamation at the party convention held on 14 February 2010.

At the time, he was being pursued by Austrian businessman Georg List who had been attempting to build a polo facility and blamed Dalmatian local authorities for placing obstacles in his way.